The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-03-09
Uncle Sam Is Extfavagant
Both Parties Fsee That the appropriations Fire Larger
Than Fire Necessary

WASHINGTON, March 8.-Repre-
sentative Cannon, of Illinois, chairman
Of the appropriations committee of the
house, and Mr. Sayers, of Texas, who
is at the head of the minority of that
committee, have prepared their re-
views of the appropriations for the con-
gress just ended and they will be print
ed in the Congressional Record tomor-
row morning. Mr.. Cannon'S statement
is of more than usual significance on
account Of the recommendations and
suggestions he makes as to methods
for keeping down appropriations in the
future. Mr.. Cannon makes the total
appropriations submitted to the presi-
dent for his approval at the last ses-
sion, including the general deficiency,
which failed in conference, $51S, 45S.
or $25, 3S3, 276 less than the estimates
submitted to congress by the execu-
tive. The appropriations for the first
session were $515, S45, 194, making a total
for the congress of $1,045, 437 ,00S, which
he says is SAG, 797, 812 more than the APP
propriations for the preceding con-
gress. The increase, he points out, in
cludes for Notifications, s12. 500, 467; for
tracts, 2,476, SOC; for public buildings,
none of which were authorized by the
Fifty-fourth congress, 81, 343, 1874; for the
postal service, 81, asa, 3O5; for the naval
establishment, $S,947, 523, and on ac-
count Of permanent appropriations,
mainly to meet interest and sinking
fund charges for the bonds issued by
the Cleveland administration, $24. $685.
TAI
''The appropriations are" says Mr..
Cannon, Tin my judgment, in excess
of the legitimate demands Of the pub
lie service. But this fact while great
ly to be deplored, is not, in my opinion,
properly chargeable to the action of
either of the great political parties of
the country. It is the result of condi-
lions accruing out Of the rules Of the
house and out of the rules, practices
and so-called courtesies of the senate
together with the irresponsible manner
py Whlch the executive submits to con-
greSS estimates to meet expenditures
for the conduct of the government. If
the appropriations made by congress
have been extravagant and beyond the
revenues or the government, how much
more so have been the estimates of the
executive? The record shows that In
no instance during many years past
have the appropriations made by con-
gress measured up to the full amounts
recommended and asked for by the
administration.
1T is said that ours is the only gov
eminent in the civilized world where
in the administrative branch apparent
ly shows no degree Of responsibility to
the tax payers for its demands for the
expenditure of public money and that
ours is the only government wherein
the legislative branch alone exercises
the function or duty of check upon
public expenditures without any con-
siderable degree of cooperation on the
part Of the executive. 1t is hoped, and
1 believe, that the incoming president
with his long experience as a distin-
guiShed member of the legislative
branch OF the government. will exact
of his cabinet counsellors some degree
of wholesome restraint in the direction
Of intelligent recommendations Of pub
lie expenditures. to the end that con-
gress may not have to strive unaided
and alone toward bringing our public