New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-05-05
WORK FOR CONGRESS.
TIE GENERAL APPROPRIATION BILLS.
SuE LAST OF TIRE LIST LIKELY SOON TO BE RE-
PoRTEp-THEIR PROBABLE TENOR AND SCOPE
my TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUNEl

vur last OF THE LIST LIKELY SOON TO BE RE-
PoRrEp-THrIR PROBABLE TENOR AND SCOPE.
my TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUNE.l
w.suNorox MAY 4.-The House Committee on
Aprropriations will probably complete the prepare
tion of the remann general appropriation bills this
week and report them to the House They are the
Fortfcations, General Deficiency. Legislative. EX-
ecutiye and Judicial. and Sundry Civil bills
There has been long struggle in the sub-commit-
tee which has charge Of the FoTtifcations bill over
the items for seacoast civilizations, ordnance ana
torpedoes A.majority of the subcommittee mas
shown disposition to heed the warnings OF inc
chief of engineers respecting the defenceess cohd
tion of the great cities of the Atlantic and Paclhc
seaboards and the Gulf coast Omcers OIL inc Ehe'-
neer and Ordnance Bureaus have been freely con-
suited by the subcommittee and 1t has aiSo re-
ceived much information from other sources as 10
the proper means to be used in placing the seacoaSt
defences in n fairly effective condition Inc NOT
always friendly rivalry between the advocates OF
The torpeo system of harbOr and coast defence ana
the nartisans of land Notifications and heavy guns
has to some extent complicated the queS' 'puVUs
understood that a majority Of the Subcommittee IS
in favor of fairly liberal appropriations Tor pOth
purposes Whether the bill will iarc - well wheh IL
falls into the hands of the full committee II not
Qute certain; although there have recently pceh
freouent hints that Chairman Randall as cham
rOn of - Economy" has on more llld1 ohc 'NNb'''A
found reason to complain that his policy did not
receive hearty support from his Democratic col
leagues
While Mr. Holman is distinguished for his parsi-
monious craftsmanship in little things. he Is SAID to
lack breadth of comprehension hon 1t comes 10 Dig
things. Another trait he has which moderatcs MS
usefulness. 1t is complained that he rs ever ready
to interpose an objection to the expenditure OF
dollar of public money unless 1t VIII Oeheht MS
own State or district. He and Judge Lawrence,
rho is now First Controller of the Treasury, served
together in the House and both were noted for the
severity with which they scrutnized every popo-
siton to take money out of the Treasury AS Con-
t1oller Judge Lawrence has quite maintained his
Plantation as an economist. The two men are fast
friends and il is said they were recently relating
to each other some "reminiscences of their JOINT ser
vices in Congress. when Holman modestly spoke OF
his own eninence as o frugal legislator and goner-
ously alludcd to the assistance he was wont 10 re-
ceive from his friend. Inspired by tine neat compn'
ment which Holman had paid both, the Controller
dryly remarked: Yes Judge | have always re-
garded you us a watch dog OF the Treasury lou
know that a gooG watch dog never growls at his
friends" The story is too good not to be true for
it neatly illustrates one of Judge Holmans CON
spicuOus traits.
According TO Mr.. Randals friends, the only other
Economist" who is member of the Appropriations
Committee is Mr.. Townshend, whose usefulness Is
marred by his unfortunate temperament, which
frequently leads HIM into difficulties in the House
which interfere with the success of his plans Or
the other Democratic members Of the committee
four are new 10 that kind of service and none on
them is classed as an economist" of the Randall
Holman school 1t seems rather probable, therefore,
that the Fortfcations bill Will 20 to the House IN
the form recommended by the Subcommittee.
ITEMS OF TIE DEFICIENCY BILL.
The General Deficiency bill will be considerably
swelled in amount by causes for which the Appro-
priation> Committee of the last House cannot be
held responsible There viii be one item of about
100000 on account Of a readiustment OF postmast-
ers salaries which until after the law VS. passed it
was supposed would not he made until October /,
1888 BY she wording of the act It was found that
the rcajust et had to take effect on March g. 1855
1t is estimated that hereafter the yearly expenses of
the Post Once Department VIII be increased nearly
81 600 300 by the operation Of this law. Another
item amounting 10 100000 or 100000 will have
10 De added Oh account of decision of The supreme
Court. which requires that the ldnd-gTdnt railroad
companies shall be paid IN money for the uanspor-
tatiOn Of the mails instead OF having the amount
placed TO then credit on account OF their indebted
ness TO the Government.
IL is understood that the Legislative. Executive
and Judicial bill will appropriate about the same
amount as the bill Of last year and that II Will not
be likely TO provoke much opposition.
NEW LEGISLATION PROPOSED
The Sundry Civil bill will probably contain some
new and important general legislation. With a
view to simplify the service prevent duplication Of
work and retlench expenditures, an effort Will be
made 10 transfer 10 Other departments certain work
now done by the Coast Survey. If the TecOmmcn-
datiOns of the committee adopted the geOdetc
surveys of the interior, including the photographic
work connected herewith now III progress under
the direction Of the Coast Survey, Will be trans
ferTed to the Geological survey, where they are
thought more properly TO belong 1t Is said that
this transfer will about $4,000 "a year. The
photographic Division Of the Coast Survey II Is
proposed TO transfer to the photographic Ofice of
the Navy Department where IL is SAID the work can
be done equally well and at a less cost he di-
rector of the Coast Survey Will retain jurisdiction
OF the Coast survey proper including rivers to the
head of tide water
The committee will also recommend the repeal |
of all laws making permanent appropriations, eX- |
cept those providing Tor the sinking fund, the inter
est the public debt and the interest on the Smith
sonan and other funds held III trust by the Govern
ment. Some prov isIOn Will also be recommended |
looking TO the consolidation OF customs districts |
and the abolition Of unnecessary Offices IN the Gus
toms service
The committee will also urge the adoption of |
provision TO bar all claims against the Government |
after certain period and to limit the CLASSES of |
claims of which the executive departments may |
have jurisdiction. The intention IS to cut on all |
"equity" claims, the holders OF which mast here |
after appeal directly to Congress or to such tTbun-
ais as II may provide for Their relief The ApprO-
priatons Committee has blocked out a good deal |
of work for the House and Senate.
DOINGS or LABOR ORG4NIZATIONS.
The Central Labor Union met yesterday after |
skn