New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-05-05
The RIVER AND HARgOR BILL
HOUSE DEMOCRATS TAKE PLUNGE INTO THE
PORK BARREL-REPUBLICANP POLICY


ADOPTED.
Washington. May (SpeciaD-when the Demo
cratic majority in the House of Representatives to-day
confronted the question Of choosing between the duty
Of providing for the current and legitimate expenses
of the Government and the opportunity of taking a
"header' into " barrel Of pork" remembering
the record which that majority has made thus far
doubted for single instance what the result would be.
Self pTeser, alton Is the first law of nature, and the
members OF the Democratic majority, In frantic at
attempt to repair fences seek vindcatlon. and
reelection, voted with vociferous unanimity
70 set aside the Sundry Civil Appropriation bill, the
bill providing for Notifications and other appropna-
ton bllls-all Of them of the character and i'm
portance-and decided TO proceed TO the considera-
ton OF the River and Harbor Appropriation blu, with
oil its attendant chances for DEALS Jobs and legislative
legerdemain.
From now on and while the bill Is under considera-
ton, the careful observer may see, II he has mind
TO- the science Of logrolng exercised and illustrated
BY the most skilfu adopts and past-masters in the
art For the time being economy will be shelved
and "retrenchment' take back seat. Holman
and other professional "watchdogs" won't be In it,
Having made coy display Of resistance they will
retire ravished and content.
The bill which the House took up for consideration
to-day involves direct expenditure Of S2l2eOo75
and Is based upon estimates amounting to $50 s14 =
945. The term direct" Is used denote the amount
TO which the Government is asked to pledge itself
BILL II passed will place upon the Government In the
shape of contracts running o number Of years
Obligations amounting in the aggregate 30 over
s43,OO0.oO0. These obligations not. however to
be regarded In every case either ncalled for or
extravaganza. On the contrary, they will ultimately
rsult-in a majority Of cases-in a saving to the
Government. This Is conclusively shown by the en-
gfneers' report The obvious criticism, however In
regard to these running contracts Is that they are
not Acknowledged by the committee is the amount
OF money involved in them mentioned. The com
mttee simply furnishes to the House the amount
needed for the next fiscal year. and Its
silence with regard to further Obligations upon the
ground that the preceding Congress inauguraed this
policy Of making contracts for the completion OF I'm
portant works of river and harbor Improvement. 1t
om!ts altogether to state what the Republican ma
tority in the List Congress had the to
responsibility for.
This Is characteristic though Of Democratic ma
jority on the Of a campaign. The committee re-
lucantly confess speaking Of this Republican policy in
the preceding Congress, that this Is believed to be
the true policy OF river and harbor improvement: it
attans the desired end in the shortest time aud at the
minimum Of EXPENSE and had this policy been
adopted dozen years ago, your committee believe il
would have resulted in a saving TO the Government
In the matter of river and harbor improvement Of
S2OOOOOo0 out Of the aggregate appropriated In that
time for such work,
This Republican policy Of genuine economy re-
suited in saving In the case Of the construction of
lock in the ST. Marys Canal Of sos. 600 in the work
Of the IIay Lake Channel Of S0OO,O0O; In the con
s,ructon Of jettles at Galveston Of s7OOOOO in the
Improvement Of the har5or OF Baltimore OF S945o
aa rn cent Below the Average cost in former
And yet almost In the breath In which II states
these facts, this Democratic committee presumes to
take great Deal Of credit TO itself because, 0rsOot
tho bill reported by II is not so large as that passed In
September, 1880, by So, 6DO,32O.