The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-02-22


all. Add the cost of carrying the 49,
$50, 1875 pounds of "county free," and
it appears that on fair uniform charge
for service rendered the government
might actually make money by carry
ing mail. So says Mr.. Loud, but I
shan't take sides, as I don't know how
soon I may have to be a country editor
myself.
"And There You Are"
Rivers and harbors will probably be
the last committee to act, for hearings
will be continued till March 1 and the
bill made up very leisurely after that.
The treasury estimate of the amount
which might be proftably expended put
it at $12, 1856, 500, but all the members
say there is nothing to show how near
they will approximate to this, as there
may be a great spasln of economy to-
ward the close. Incidentally may add,
as the fact is SO old that most people
have forgotten it, that the treasury esti-
mates for the entire expense of the gov
eminent for the year ending June 80,
1896, were $40. 435, ore. so, and con-
gress really appropriated $412,753, :
264S1 The estimates for 1897, which,
as everybody knows, have to be appro-
priated in the preceding year, are $418,-
O91, O73.17. These figures, be it noted,
include only the deficiency for the post
Office department, as it pays its own
way in most respects, SO here is fine
opening for the tricks of calculators on
government expenses. Whom the agitator
wants to prove that it is costing $780,,
900, 900 per year to run the government,
he adds in the postofice, and when the
administration member seeking re-elec-
ton takes the stump he omits the same,
and there you are.
Our Means of Defense.
One without experience would surely
say that the last place about the capitol
to look for fun would be in the room OF
the committee on accounts or any other
committee dealing with cold cash, but
there is a deal that is ludicrous in the
extravaganza claims preferred and the
contrasts with the results. For instance,
resolutions were brought in and referred
to the committee on account asking for
48 extra employees, and 1t only allowed
2. New members complain, particular
" in the senate, that their bills are
smothered, but when they have been
here few years they are likely to be-
come actually grateful for said smother
ing. Many an enthusiastic constituent
sends in a bill to his member which the
latter knows very we'll ought not to
pass, and he rejoices the constituent s
heart greatly by reporting that the bill
''has been read twice and REFEREED but
knows Just the same that in the archives
of the committee it will sleep the sleep
that knows no waking.
The really serious work of this con-
gress in both houses, the work which is
costing more anxious thought to the
honest men and sincere patriots engaged
in it, is that concerning the navy and
coast defenses. Amvs Cummings says
that the public mind, and, what is per-
haps of more Importance, the minds of
congressman are in far better state
than they were when he was chairman
of the naval committee of the Fifty
third congress Indeed all members ac-
knowledge the supreme Importance of
action, but the enormous cost and the
impossibility of doing anything in a
short time make them pause. General
Miles roughly estimates the cost of eff
cient coast defenses at $50, 900, 900, and
General Craighill, chief of engineers,
q. S. A, adds 1000, 900 to that, and
very earnest petitions for speedy action
have come from every city on both coasts
and the gulf In conclusion, it may be
said with tolerable certainty that, while
there will be a great increase in the to-
tai of appropriations, there will be none
or even decrease in those for general
expenses, the entire increase going to
add to our means of defense.
8. 4 BEADLE.
IT, ;a t.ow1 Co. a bau0hfv man nvar In