The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-05-14
SEATTLE, SATURDAY, MAY II.
sPIKING THEIR OWN BATTERY.

may. For more than year past every
Democratic stump orator has grown pur-
pie with indignation over what is termed
1.-THE Billion Congress" The tramp Demo-
cratic evangelists from the East, who
hooted out wisdom and spread their
feathers before the party love feasts at
Spokane, Seattle, Tacoma and Portland
last autumn, were never tired of harping
upon "The Republican Billion Congress-"
1t was the stock bugaboo of Bynum; the
political spook of Black and Faulkner.
Alasl poor ghost; this specter seems to
have been effectually laid by Democratic
hands, for Director Holman now confesses
that the appropriations of the present
congress are likely to exceed those of "The
Billion Congress" by at least $40, 100000.
In other words the Democratic "jackass"
battery, which was relied upon for fearful
work against the Republican enemy in the
impending campaign, seems to have been
thoroughly spiked by the Democratic ma
jority in the House.
Judge Holman wrings his hands and
weeps, but Catchings, of Mississippi.
treats his tears with contempt and says
that "Mr. Holman's mind is narrow and
warped on every subject which looked to
TO the advancement of our interests, and
that he naturally opposed everything
which was a step forward in the admins
tration of the government"
Lockwood (Dem.) of New York, sup
ported Mr.. Catchings and said that he
10 Of
made by the gentleman from Indiana (Mr.
Holmanl 1t was a false appeal, and the
country would not support it. The peo-
pie would not oppose liberal appropria-
tions so long as proper safeguards were
thrown around their expenditures. 1t
was not a question of economy, but a
question of open-handed business. He
thanked God that the people had not
come to that point where they played a
simple penny-ante game all over the coun-
try"
Mr.. Lockwood further said that he was
not opposed to the Republican party for
the expenditures Of the so-called billion
congress; that he was not in harmony
with the Democratic party or any other
party that was opposed to making appro.
priations to carry on the necessary works
which Injured to the benefit of the whole
country, whether Democratic or Repub-
Hcan.
Mr.. Lockwood said that the Democratic
party in old times and in all times has
found fault with appropriations and ex-
penditures because they were not properly
snd fairly expended. They did not object
to expenditures made in the interests of
the welfare of the American people. The
country was marching with gigantic
strides. advancing every year, and our
expenditures should keep pace with our
material advancement. our progress and
civilization.
Mr. Lockwood carried the House with
him, for it voted down Holman's motion
TO strike out the provision allowing the
secretary of war to enter into contracts for
material and work To continue the con-
struction of the Harbor of Refuge at Point
Judith, Il. l.; voted to increase the appro-
priation for the harbor at Manitowoc,
Wis, from $500 to $4,000. and on mo-
ton of ex-Speaker Reed the appropriation
for Harasackett river. Maine, was increased
from $40, 900 to $1,000.
The river and harbor bill of the So
called Billion congress was so. 000. 600;
the present bill is likely to he nearly
double this amount. In the Fifty-frst
congress contracts were authorized on the
river and harhor bill for the future expen-
Al NJ ON ha l.,
phed by subsequent congresses. of 81. O0o.-
00 on the Qualifications bill, and nearly
5000, 600 for the erection of the new city
rostollice in Washington City. The total
amount of liability which that congress
thus placed upon the government for fu-
tOre liquidation was sl9.o0.O00 The total
amount of increased liability which this
House at its present session has recon-
mendei is $3S. 900 900. Contracts for the
expenditure of So. coo 900 of this are au-
thorized on the river and harbnr bill.
sAooo,o0 for the library of congress build
ing IA the sundry civil bill, and 81. S0O. 90
for notifications on the fertilization bin.
The prospect is that the present river and
harbor bill, framed by committee of a
House inat mas denounced the Billion
congress and pledged itself to a policy of
economy, will so far beyond that amount.
The Washington correspondent Of the
New York StsR tDem.l SAYS:
In spite o; the PLEDGES oi the Democrats of the
House IL cut down the government 81 penaitures
and appropriations ny st least sl00 10000 for the
ttitN second congress, counting both sessions,
tie startling fact appears that this congress, in
stead Of cutting DOWN appropriations below the
standard Of the late Billion congress, will GER
t.iaiy equal IL. Il rot exceed II hy many ini!l.
i'ns. careful comparison of the sppropria-
tons 50 lar made at The present session and q
tie estimates Ilsde basis for the bills vet TO
Ii comrlcted. with tAe aPp-0pFiat 'cGs ana est
forces the conclusion taRt thIs sessions aEsre.
eate VIII Far exceed the aggregate o. the frat
SESSION q the Billion Congress. and This in she
Ice ot tie Democratic pledges. the coufsssedIy
depleted treasury. sai the ursent ased OF eocno-
LAY an view q The congress elections tlis fall
In this event wha: viii become of the
campaign thunder of Governor Flower
ana Ex-Governor Hill, Of New York. who
early and late have been bowling about
that Billion congreSsg" Nobody knows
wAa, David Is. Hill thinks on the .ubiec,