Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1897-03-13
THE APPROPRIATIONS

Made by the FIfty-FOurth Congress, just
Ended, Compared with Its Predecessor
Messrs. Cannon, of Illinois. and sayer, of
Texas, Adduce Some Interesting Figures
and Make Pertinent Suggestions Thereon.
WASHINGTON, March 9.-The Con-
gressional Record to-day contains a
statement from Mr.. Joseph g. Cannon,
chairman of the house committee on
appropriations, relative to the appro-
priations made by the Fifty-fourth con-
gress. Mrs. Cannon's statement is, in
part, as follows:
''The total appropriations of the two
sessions of this congress aggregate ST.
043, 3,437, ,0lS.53. The appropriations of
the Fifty-third congress, which was
democratic in both branches, with a
democratic executive, amounted, ac-
cording to the official tables, to $780,
230, 205.G0. To this sum, however,
should be added 81, 100000 on account
of interest and sinking fund charges
for bonds issued by the democratic ad-
ministration which were not included
in the estimates Of permanent appro-
priations submitted to congress and
stated in the tables; which brings the
sum total of appropriations for all OBJ
jccts by the Fifty-third congress up to
1898, ,639, 205.69, or $40, 797, ,sl2.s4 less
than the appropriations including the
deficiencies, made by the present con-
gress.
in explanation of this apparent ex-
cess OF appropriations by the Fifty
fourth congress over those of the Fifty
third congress, it should be stated that
the Fifty-fourth congress made increase
over its immediate predecessors on ac.
count of Notifications in the sum OF
Sl2, 563, 469; on account of river and
| harbor works, including contracts there
for, in the sum of S2 476, 500; on account
of the construction of public buildings
none of which were authorized by the
kifty-fourth congress, in the sum of 81,
3t3, 394 for the postal service in the
sum of Sll 454, 305; for the naval estab
lishment in the sum Of IS, .523, and
on account of permanent appropria
tions, mainly TO meet the interest and
sinking fund charges for the bonds is
sued by the administration just leaving
power, S24,9S3, IA; or total of S62,
T6s $780,"
Mr. Cannon admits that the appro
priations exceed the legitimate de
mands of the public service, but thi
results he says, from conditions grow
ing out of the rules of the house, th'
so-called courtesy of the senate and tn
excessive estimates submitted to con
gress. The record shows that in no in
stance during many years past hav
the appropriations made by congress
measured up to the full amounts rec
commended and asked for by the ac
ministration.
Mr.. Cannon condemns the practic
of the senate in recent years in amend
ing appropriation bills, notably tn
general deficiency bill, by incorpora
ting provisions to pay claims of ever
kind and character outstanding agains
the claims that have II
status in many cases other than pei
functory reports from committee
mere findings of the court of claim
and recommendation and request
from bureau officers and other official
of the government.
The remedy for this evil, he says,
the establishment of tribunal of finf
jurisdiction, whittier these claims ma
be sent for full and intelligent consid
GRAFTON.
He joins Mr. Dockery in condemnin
the present arrangement of dividin
the appropriation bills among nun
Der of committees.
Mr.. Sayers, of Texas, another ncm
ber of the committee on appropria
tions, will also make public. under
, leave to print, his views respecting tn
appropriations for the Fifty fourth con
, gress.