Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-08-29
FIFrIErm CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON. August %. 1888.
senate.

fered by Edmunds, was taken up and
agreed TO.
The Senate proceeded to the conside-
ration OF the conference report ON the
sundry civil appropriation bill, and was
addressed at considerable length by AR.
Allison, in explanation of it, and in
general defence OF the action Of the
Senate Appropriation Committee and OF
the Senate itself, as contrasted with that
of tho House.
In the closing portion of Mr. Aliison's
long speech on the appropriation bills he
stated that the total appropriations for
the current fiscal year, not including
what are called permanent appropris-
tioos," would AMOUNT to 1906, 90, 900 /;
that including the permanent sppropria-
tions they would amount to 1921 900, COO,
and that the estimated revenue would be
$40, 900, 600, or only Sl9,0D,O 600 more
than the expenditures. In both the re-
ceipts and expenditures of the Post
Office Department are included. He
also furnished table to show that the
expenditures Of the Government for four
years of Cleyeland's Administration ex-
ceed by 800, 900, coo tho expenditures for
four wears Of Garfield and Arthur Ad-
ministration.
Mr.. Hale commented on these figures
and on Mr.. AllisOn's entire statement by
remarkinR that thus, one by one, the
illusions about the economy of the pres
ent Administration faded away.
Mr. Beck said that with the exception
Of two years we had had Democratic
House OF Representatives during all she
time covered By the statement sub
mitted by MIR. Allison. which had taken
very great care that al administrations
should be economical. What had been
spent since the Democratic Admins
tration came into power had
been well expended, he thought,
with one or two exceptions, and
the people knew what had been done
with the money. When money had
been spent for navy we got navy
TO show for il. Prior TO the Democratic
Administration hundreds of millions had
been spent and We got nothing. The
increase Of this years appropriations
over those of last year we're accounted
for, perhaps, entirely by the deficiencies,
the river and hsrbor bill, guns and or
maments. We had more lighthouses
now than formerly. The geological
survey cost more than il did hast
year. Take S2U, 00a, 600 of the sur
plus add TO it S12,00O,0O0 from
river and harbor and SS,000,000 from
deficiencies chargeable to former years,
and that made $40, coo, 000 of the surplus.
Then S5O, 00O, 900 of the sinking fund
might very well be added, and that would
make 800, 600 OF the surplus. Mr..
Beck closed with O brief review OF the
general financial situation, and paid q
compliment to MIR. Allison for his fair
ness and zeal as chairman of the Com
mittee on Appropriations, declaring that
all matters in that committee had been
determined upon their merits and not
with regard to partisan considerations
Mr.. Salisbury thought it well that the
attention of the country should be
called to the matter Of public expendi
lures, and had no doubt that the Com
mittee ON Appropriations had been vigi-
LIANT and careful He declared that the
President of the United States had no
control over the appropriations, and
Congress alone was chargeable with any
extravaganza that might exist. He said
there had been manifested since the be-
ginning OF this session a purpose on the
part OF the Republican Senate 70 in
crease the expenses of the Government,
80 as TO reduce the surplus by extra
VACANT expenditures.
air. Vest made citations from the
list of appropriations for public build
ings from 1883 to 1885, stating that
Maine bad received $2231. LA, as
compared with S3O9,317 for Arkan-
kansas, S6l9, SIT for Alabama, and S514,-
GOO for Georgia II the Senator from
Maine could talk about the unequal dis
tribution of the public money for public
buildings he Vest could commend that
Senator's public audacity.
Mr.. Blackburn took exception to the
reference by Mr.. Hale to the testimony
taken by his rowing committee to inyes-
tigate the civil service-that which in
vestigatsd the public service at Balti-
more, Philadelphia, and New York.
Mr.. Hale's committee, he said, had never
made q report, although months had
elapsed since its hearings bad ceased,
and probably never would, its purpose
having been accomplished within the
Capitol building before going elsewhere
aud he accused Mr.. Hale OF breach of
propriety and of custom, if not OF the
written rule Of the Senate, IN dragging
into political harange testimony taken
by a committee that had never been vail
dated by report, and had never been
permitted to see the light OF day. be
asked, in conclusion, that the chairman OF
that committee would not undertake to
mislead the American Senate and the
people by what he had no hesitation in
declaring was q peryersion and debauch-
ing of unpublished testimony. II the
Senator wanted to rely upon the testi-
mony let him bring it into the Senate.
He challenged and defled the Senator TO
do so.
MIR. Hale said that every word OF the
testimony would be presented to the SEN
ate and the senators would have an OPP
portunity TO examine it. The work was
not done by any means.
Rouse OF Representatives.
The Speaker laid before the House
number of requests for leave Of absence,
but Mr.. Breckenridge, of Kentucky, OBJ
jected TO granting any leaves except
those desired on account OF sickness.
Mr.. Grosyenor, of Ohio, who had re-
quested leave for ten days on account of
"business OF personal character, " stated
frankly that he had an engagement to
make speeches in the State of Maine.
Mr.. Weaver, of Iowa, suggested that
the gentleman should represent Maine
in the House, as none Of the Maine re-
representatives. were present
Mr.. Grosyenors reply to the sugges-
ton was that IL the gentleman from
Iowa would take care of his business he
(Grosyenor) would take care OF his.
Mr.. Grosyenor explained that he had
made his engagement before the House
had adopted the resolution revoking all
leaves OF absence. The motion granting
him leave was agreed TO.
After good deal OF rather noisy dis
cussion leave Of absence was granted TO
Mr.. Stewart, Of Texas, and MIR. Turner,
OF Georgia
The House then went into Committee