The record-union., 1895-03-08
Appropriations Made by the Fifty
Third Congress
COMPARED WITH SESSIONS UNDER
REPUBLICAN, RULE.
Cannon Gives Figures
to Show that More Money Has Been
Voted Away During Cleveland's
Two Years. Administration Than
for a Similar Time When Harrison
Was in Power.
Special to the REcoRD-UNroN.

WASHIN GTON, March 7.-Representa-
tive Cannon of Illinois, in behalf of the
Republican minority of the House Com
mlttee on Appropriations, has prepared a
summary showing the total expenditures
OF the Fifty third Congress, and compar-
ing them with the expenditures of the
so-called Billion Dollar Congress-" in
which Mr.. Cannon was at the head OF the
Appropriation Committee The state
ment will be published tomorrow as a
part of the Congressional Record. It says:
II avail myself of this opportunity TO
present, for the information of the public
aud OF the country, q statement OF the ag-
gregate OF appropriations made by this
Congress-the first half Of Cleveland's
Administration, as compared with the
aggregate of the appropriations for the
Fllty-tirSt and E'ifty-second Congresses,
respectively, under Harrison's Admins
tratlon. For that purpose insert a COM
parative statement which has beou care
fully com piled and is correct
II rom this statement IL appears that
the appropriations of the Fifty-hrst Con-
gress, when MIR. Reed was Speak er of the
House and the President and the Senate
were Republican, were i'll round num-
bers S9oo, ,OUO,O 900, while the appropriations
ior the tIIty-second Congress, when the
House was - mocratic and Mr.. Crisp was
speaker, was III round numbers 81 OF
UdO,OOO, and the appropriations for this
Congress, with the President, House and
Senate all Democratic, are in round num-
bers S9JU, 100000. Moreover, the last sale
OF thlrty-year per cent. United States
bonds-the payment OF interest upon
which IS permanent-sWelis the total ap-
preparations Tor this and the next fiscal
year by S2,9O0,0OO, making the grand
total actually appropriated by this Con-
gresS IN round numbers 1898, 900, 600. This
exceeds the appropriations made by the
tlILy-hrst Congress, called by our Demo-
cratic friends the 'Billion-DolIar Con-
gress,' IN round numbers by 5000, ,OOO
This Congress, furthermore, in addi-
ton To the actual increase in apprOpria-
tons, has authorized public works to be
done under contract, leaving the next
Congress to make appropriations there
for, Us follows: BY the Forli1ications Act,
1925, ,UGO; By Sundry Civil Act, Sc, $50, coo:
by District of Colum bia. .S26l, 764; by Naval
appropriations Act, Sl3, ,7I5, 900. Total
S2I,OI6, Io4. Thus the appropriations and
authorizations OF this Congress are seen
to be III round numbers 81 ,0I5, 100000.
The appropriations for the public
service as rule make dry reading, but
to the careful student Of public questions
they tell more OF the policies of Admins
tratlOns and parties than can be gathered
from words and protestations.
Il call attention that the appropria-
tlOns OF pensions to the defenders OF the
republic in war, and to their widows and
orphans by this Congress under CIeye-
land. are $42, rs, ,6l6 less than those made
by the Fifty second Congress, the last
two years under President Harrison.
Ihls S42,OOO,OJO decrease gives in figures
the tangible result of an uufriendlv-I
will go further and say the unjust admin
lstrauon otthe pension laws under CIeye-
land.
The condition Of the country was far
different under Harrison's administra-
ton from what it has been and is now
under this Administration. Then there
was universal prosperity. Now there is
universal adversely. Then, under wise
revenue laws, the people cheerfulIy con-
trlDuted TO the support Of the Govern
ment from their abundance, and were
glad when the treasury poured from its
full Golfers the necessary money liber-
ally and wisely to carry on the Govern
ment, and after all this was done a sur
plus still remained to anticipate the pay
ment Of the war debt. Now our people
are out OF employment; values are
shrinking, ana the people pay their taxes
into the treasury with great effort and
| IND such payment oppressive. The sur
plus has disappeared from the treasury
| The debt OF the Government, instead of
! decreasing. is increasing, and increasing
not 10 MAINTAIN resumption, as it is
claimed, but to pay current expenses.
This Administration has ISSUED and
sold United States bonds time and time
again for the avowed purpose, it is true,
OF maintaining resumption, but in point
of fact 1t has taken the proceeds it is
taking the proceeds aud will continue to
take the proceeds to pay the current ex-
penses OF the Government.
This Congress has wholly failed to
provide sufficient revenues, while 1t has
increased appropriations. In the mean
time, the Administration has rejected
every practical effort OF the minority to
assist in remedying the evils that beset
the treasury. This is Government of
the people, through parties, and there
can be no true relief in the premises
until the people correct the error made
III 1892, by giving the Repu blican party
full power in 1886, thereby enabling that
party to write its policy on the legisla-
lion and administration"