Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1892-08-18
The elements that the shadow

offered to suppress it all around the
board. and made the offer so that it
would be effectual against us and against
any members who were in the minority.
The Democracy refused to suppress it..
On the contrary, they deliberately re.es-
tablished it, giving to any minority the
right to suppress legislation. Filibuster-
ing had the sanction of the house, except
where the autocratic committee on rules
held sway. This was all wrong. But
minorities are in this house given the
power, and the right to filibuster is re-
served for whoever choose to exercise it.
Some of the crafty old leaders wanted it
for themselves, and so they had to give
it to US.
But, while the Democratic house has
failed in all other respects, the most sig
nal failure has been in the matter of
economy. All the circums tances con-
spire to make that failure conspicuous.
The abuse which was poured out upon
the last congress comes back with added
force upon this, and the time has now
come to do justice to one of the most
really economical statesmen we ever had
Joseph G. Cannon. His conduct as
chairman of appropriations in the 5lst
congress was worthy of all praise. He
was careful, economical, upright and
just, and has always deserved well of his
country. The people do not realize the
tremendous pressure there was on the
5lsJ congress, and how very hand
somely Mr.. Cannon stood up against it
and how well he was backed by his adj
vocates. You must remember that the
Democracy, as part of their scheme to
pile up surplus and break down the
tariff, had refused to pay even the hon
est debts of the government. The result
was the accumulation of great surplus
revenue and an overlooking treasury.
The natural result of such an accumula-
ton is always the same. 1t engenders
proposals to spend it. 1t is the tendency
of piled-up money to scatter. The rivers
and harbors at once demanded more,
public buildings called for thousands
here and thousands there. The soldiers
were not reconciled to be left out OF the
distribution. New projects sprang up
on either hand.
Notwithstanding all this pressure the
congress of 1890 provided for the expen-
diture of only $462, 900, 900. The sum
seemed at the time immense and there is
perhaps little wonder that great feeling
was exhibited and great establishment
expressed. But it is now plainly visible
to all men that this sum, large as it was,
was but the adequate expression of the
honest expenditures of great govern
ment, which has grown every year be-
yond the widest hopes of the people. In
the present session of congress Mr.. Hol-
man has had to stand up against no I'M
usual pressure, such as Mr.. Cannon en-
countered. No one has failed to learn
that the surplus has been paid out and
the revenue reduced so as to be only suf-
ficient for the purposes of government
honestly and economically administered.
Mr.. Holman and his friends even went
further. They strove with some success
to brighten the American people with the
declaration. often repeated by the mouths
of his lieutenants, Gov. Sayers and Mr..
Dockery, that the income was uneqeal to
the needed expenditures. With house
elected on a platform Of economy, with
40 majority, majority larger than the
whole opposition, we naturally expected
some reduction of what Democratic ora
tors call "the public burdens"
confess that was myself astonished
to find that not only were the appropria-
tons of the first session Of this congress
to exceed the appropriations of the first
session of the last congress, but they
we're to exceed them by the enormous
sum of $50,000,000. My surprise was
very much heightened by the fact that
day after day had seen appropriations
nanifestly inadequate carried through
the house against all argument, and in
fact by sheer force of numbers. The
present condition Of things is an over
towering testimony not only to the
growth If the country, but to the integ-
rity and economy of the committee on
appropriations, of which Mr.. Cannon
was the head. The debate in the senate
of July 26 shows, moreover, that even
the 500, 100000 appropriated have not
reached the needs of the country. Mr..
Allen of Washington shows that light
house has been thrown out which should
have been built on spot which has al
ready cost the country the lives of many
men, and Mr.. Allison shows that one
item, at least, of large amount has beer
lessened on the demand OF the house by
the simple expedient of cutting off one
half with the understanding that it shall
go on the next years deficiency bill. OF
one item Senator /. G. Harris, Demo
crat senator, in fact, the real Democratic
leader of the senate, puts tersely hi;
opinion, and that opinion will illuminate
many other items not discussed.
| want to call your readers attention
to this simple fact even at the expense o
Teiteration and of being tiresome. w,
expended 1852 600 the first session of tn,
: 5lst congress. We were abused mos
roundly therefor. The loves figur,
any Democrat can now make for hi:
congress is $4,000 600 These figure:
are undisputed. The moral is indispu
, table. 1t does sometime seem grea
pity that we haven't, we Republicans
, the power of vituperation. We seem t,