St. Landry democrat., 1886-07-17
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, July 5, 1886

week over the money bills which pro-
vide for running the Government dur
ing the next Fiscal year. The subject
sounds like dry one, but the Congress
siopal debates have not been dull. Ap-
oropriation bills always provoked
much disagreement and afford an OPP
portunity for discussing the compare
tive extravagance and economy OF the
two parties.
The Nations balance sheet has just
been drawn UP again. The Govern
Fnent's book keepers have footed up
their accounts for the fiscal year that
came to an end on June 3Oth, and the
figures are even more satisfactory thah
could have been expected. The re-
ceipts exceeded the expenditures by
s 90. 1928, GAG. The receipts and expen-
slitures for the fiscal year compared
with tie last preceding one, show an
increase of revenue of about S12,5OO.0O
aud a decrease in the expenditures OF
about S14,500,000. Customs receipts are
some S11,00O,OO0 better, internal reve-
nue. 4.500,OO0 and miscellaneous some
s3.OO0,O 900. The ordinary expenses are
122. .4OO, 900 less than last year, interest
i nearly S1,O0O,00O | IS and pensions
are SS,G00,00O more.
Yes, during the year just closed the
Pension Office issued 81 ,422 pension
certificates, larger number by 6,12l
in,
year. And when it is remembered that
this immense work has been performed
with force of clerks less by over l0o
than for the three previous, there seems
to be sufficient reason for coDgratulaC-
ING the present Commissioner OF
Pensions, Gen. Black upon retrench-
gnent in his office.
At recent Cabinet meeting the
question Of how many telephones were
in use at the several executive depart
ments of the Government in this city
game nm. The President asked each
of his Secretaries how many the de-
partment over which he presided used.
The Attorney General said two. Secre-
tary Lamar gave what he thought was
his number, and so on around. They
made up about fifty altogether. The
president asked them to look into the
matter and report at the next meeting.
They did and Attorney General Gar
land was the only one who had mace
;, correct return. The total was one
hundred and fifty The average cost
of each telephone-because the depart
,nents have number of special wires,
is 800 year.
Thus for telephone service for the
lepartments in this city alone, the
Government pays nearly $4,000 year
This was thought to be too high by the
Cabinet officers and retrenchment IN
This line has begun. Fifteen telephones
have already been taken out OF the
Treasury department, leaving only one
on each floor.
The salaries of Government clerks
comes out of the Legislative, Execu.
five and Judicial Appropriation bill
The failure Of Congress to pass it BY
the close of the old fiscal year caused
an unusual outlook for the new. Ihf
departments opened ON trust july lst.
ii being against the law to make any
contracts for services in excess OF ap
propriations. So you are Wlthou
nav. was the remark made to govern
ment clerk. that must be uncomfort
ahle.. He showed no anxiety on TN
subiect however. Said he, tne pa.
of members of Congress is PROVIDED
for in this appropriation bill just tn
same as mine is. So you see am al
right. Every Congressman Will se
thafI am provided for in time
IL was Senator Riddleharger who IN
troduced the bill to reduce the salarie
Of Congressman and certain high ON
.cials twenty five per cent. rms re
minds me OF the difficulty OF gettlni
good business men to take the respon
.sible places in the departments. Ihef
Is no trouble at all in getting NOR
politicians for these places, but it La
heen the Presidents idea to get goo
hnsiness men. Such men come her
occasionally tempted by the allure
ments of office, although they can q
much better in private life. For ID
stance, the r.. S. Treasurer, Mr.. Jordan
has a standing Office in private ire 9
exactly double what he receives 10 u
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