New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-03-10

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Aggregate ........ soss 4l7,is3 s1.o2e s22 Oi9
In addition to the amount given for rivers and
harbors in the regular appropriation bill OF the Lid
Congress- about S15 100000 carried in the sundry
Civil bills These figures which are official and
curate-except that item OF 100000 on account
OF appropriations for miscellaneous objects during the
second session OF the Lid Congress, Is estimate
subject TO slight Increase reductionshOw that the
aggregate appropriations OF the LID Congress- ex-
ceeded by the sum Of s3s 4Oi 1866 the aggregate ap-
prcyriatons OF the List or " Billion Congress of
course this Is an unplea SAINT showing for Economist
Holman and every other Democratic member Of the
last Congress who has abused and denounced with
out stint the alleged extravaganza Of the preceding
Congress: and II will be likely TO awaken strong
suspicion In the country that II the List Congress was
plty Of extravaganza It's Democratic successor was
guilty OF prodgality and avishness and that It's pro-
fessons and pledges In behalf OF ECONOMY ana
irusalliy" were a hollow mockcry.
II was entirely natural for Messrs. Holman and
Cookery attempt to break the force OF the exposure
which they knew must come soon as fle accounts
could be made up and the books balanced. Every IN
tellIgent and fair man who may examine and anayze
their statements will be compelled to conclude that 'he
attempt has resulted In dismal failure. such awK-
ward Juggling with figures will deceive no man VINO
stops to think.
The method adopted by both the eminent Democrat
economists OF the Appropriations Committee Is 'nc
same: 1t Is first to swell the total for the List Ooh'
cress and to diminish that for the LID Congress oy
subtractlng from il all appropriations under laws
enacted by the former Congress. or course tils
method Is as absurd as 1t is misleading FOR eA-
ample Mr. Dockery charges 800 600 Of the total
appropriations OF the Lid Congress to the Dependent
tension act OF 1890 when. rs n matter OF facH 'he
total increase of pension appropriations In Una. 'oh-
prcss over those OF the List Congress- ncldihs peh
sons for survivors and widows OF the Mexican "ar
under an act passed by the Lth Congress- which pen
sons were increased so per cent by an act OF the
Lid Congress, and pensions TO survivors ana WIDOWS
of various Indian wars and "scares' amounted to
less than ssO,OOo,OOO.
While Mr. Dockery was about 1t he might as well
have charged the Republican party with the entire
amount appropriated for PENSIONS except on account
OF the Mexican and Indians wars for the laws uhder
which the pensions are granted and paid were enacted
by the List and preceding Republican Congresses ana
approved by Republican Presidents. lie could inns
have sbtractcd about 1900 COO from the enormous
total OF the Lid Congress fairly and justly as ne
subtracted a1OO.Oo0,00O. Again. lie might with equal
fairness and Justice have subracted from the toti Oh
the permanent annual appropriations the amount re-
oured for the payment OF interest on the pupilc oeo'
because that debt incurred by Republican Con-
presses I'm the suppression OF the Rebellion
In conversation with Il Tribune correspondent TO-
dav Mr. Dockery frankly admitted that II the List
Congress Is TO be charged with the appropriations
which It's legislation has made necessary, that 'oh-
rress is entitled credit for the appropriations when
H. was required to make ON account OF leglslauoh
by preceding Congresses but no such credit Is aowe
I'm the statements prepared by himself and Chairman
Holman II that credit should be given, the total
concentrations OF the List Congress would appear to
ne many millions less. on account Of legislation
enacted in the XLIXth and Lh Congresses, the List
Congress appropriated about S23OOOooo for increase
OF the Navy: about 80 100000 TO extinguish the
indian title to lands and restore them to the public
domain: more than S5.OoO,O00 to pay pensions on
account OF the Mexican War: some S0.OOOoOo on
account ~ pubc buildings TO say nothing OF nearly
$40 0O0 600 on account Of deficiencies created by
the refusal OF the two preceding Democratic Con-
crosses to make adequate appropriations lor inc
several branches OF the public service. These Items
alone making a total Of nearly i00OOoOOO, are wholly
omitted by Messrs. Holman and Dockcry from
their comparative statements. They evidently do
not believe that what Is sauce for the goose Is
sauce for the gander.'
In dwelling upon what he styles the "entaed lia-
bity. which the Lid Congress was compelled TO
meet on account Of the preceding Congress, Mr..
Dockcry forgot to mention, bring 1t into sharp
contrast with the "entail-d liability which The
IIIId and future Congresses will have to meet on
account OF tie one which has Just expired. Among
the items OF this entailed liability are the follow
instorS. $4,000; Library Of Congress. sll5o Soo
Cherokee outlet lands, s5,300O0o: Navy. sio7 1000
public buildings, sJo52,OO0 lighthouses @72o.'OO
Clerks for Representatives and delegates, SJ63,6OO.
These items make II total Of more than ol.OOo,ooo
and do not include a dollar on account Of heavy
defceucies which the next Congress VIII be compelled
IN appropriate account Of inadequate approprla-
lions by the Congress which has tnst eXplred
t'ourt ami Court of Claims amounting 10
more than S3,422,0oo, of which Ssoi'OOO
irars interest nj the rate OF per
cent year. for which the Democratic majority
in the House OF Representatives refused to allow
afiO N.
n is fair to estimate that the total "entaied Ia
blIty- for which the Lid Congress Is responsible
will equal n not exceed $70O0O,OOO.
The foregoing facts and figures not only show that
the statements and deductions OF Messrs Holman ana
Dockery are incorrect and misleading. but also Row
easy ii Is swell diminish the apparent total OF
the appropriations OF any Congress by simply adding
Items here or subtractlng items there at pleasure
lhe figures given by the clerk OF the Appropriations
Committee are accepted correct BY everybod ana
his statement, is to plunge into maze OF doubt,
uncertainty and error.