The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-03-04
An Extrauaeant conrreas-

The Fifty-first congress. which will ad-
journ to-day never to rssssemble, will be
known as an extravagant congress- When
it met for the first time there was a sur
plus in the treasury Of more than S5).O0O.-
0O0 Now there is deficit estimated to be
as much as s55, 900 900, and there has been
no falling Off in the receipts from the rev.
snues. On the contrary, the revenue re-
ceipts have steadily increased. The appro-
priations will amount to between $3.50, 000,-
000aud $3.50, 900. 900 more than those of the
previous congress.
Tbs republicans have been reckless in
disposing of the public money, aud if the
democrats had not offered such a vigorous
resistance they would have enacted laws
which would have increased the expendi-
lures Of the govsrnmsut many millions of
dollars mora annually. They would have
passed the force bill, which would have
called for the expenditure Of an immense
SUN at each congressional election, and they
would have passed the tonnage bill, which
would have been another heavy and steady
drain upon the treasury.
The republicans have acted as if they did
not expect to return to power again soon.
and were therefore without any feeling of
responsibility. Having a majority in both
branches of congress, and the control of the
executive department, they seemed to think
that such an opportunity to get all of their
pet schemes enacted into laws might never
occur again. Their appropriations will not
fall far short of $1,000, 100000. When it is
remembered how small the sum was which
was required to meet the expenditures of
the government Immediately before the war
OF secession, a clearer idea of the extrava>
gance of the Fifty-irst congress is obtained.
Where the money is to come from to
satisfy the appropriations which the repub-
licans have made is a problem which the
democrats of the next congress will have to
sJlve.
There is another thing for which the
Fifty-irst congress is memorable. 1t is the
revolution which Speaker Reed has brought
about in the government of the House.
Before Mr.. Reed became speaker the minor
ity had some rights which the majority re-
spected. Under his rule the minority have
been ignored. A quorum has been counted
as present when there was not a quorum,
and public business has been transacted Just
as il the House was in condition to legally
transact business. The protests of the
minority have been unheeded. Indeed, the
minority have been treated just as If they
had no existence And the speaker has thus
arbitrarily exercised power in the interest
of partisan legislation. Had not the repub-
licans Of the Senate had little more respect
for the constitution than was shown by the
republicans Of the House even greater reck-
lessness in making appropriations would
have been shown and more partisan legisla,
ton would have been enacted.
But the Mckinley tariff will continue to
be lively reminder of the Fifty first con-
gress. The burdens of that tariff bear
heavily upon the people, who are only just
beginning to realize how outrageous it is
Even lifelong protectionists are now will
ing to admit that tariff is a tax, and that
the Mckinley tariff is particular heavy
tax.
Another remarkable thing in connection
with the Fiftyfirst congress is the number
OF deaths among its members. Eleven rep
resentatives and three senator's have died
fourteen in all in membership Of 400.
There will be no regrets for the Fifty
first congress. 1t has done nothing to COM
maud the admiration of the people, but a
great deal to make their impressions of it
unpleasant