The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-03-09
RECORD OF LAST CONGRESS.
report Submitted by Cannon and
Sayers on Appropriations.
EXTRAyAGANCE CONDEMNED BY THEM
Enormous Appropriations which
Were NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Are
offered for Reducing Expenses.

Washington. March s.-Representative
Cannon OF Illinois. chairman OF the appro-
rriations committee of the house, aad Mr..
Savers of Texas. who is at the head n the
minority OF the committee. have prepared
their reviews of the appropriations OF the
congress Just ended and they will be printed
In the Congressional Record tomorrow
morning.
Mr. Cannon's statement is OF more than
usual significance on account OF the recon-
mendations and suggestions he makes for
methods OF keeping down appropriations In
the future. Mr.. Cannon makes the total
appropriation submitted to the president
Tor his approval at the last session, includ-
ing the general deficiency, which failed In
conference. S5lS.ioS.i5S. or s253s3.276 less
than the estimates submitted to congress-
by the executive. The appropriations for
the hrst session were S5l5, si5, l94, making
total Tor the congress of $l,043. 4S7 l0S
winch. he says. is $40, I91Si2 more than the
appropriations for the preceding congress
me Increase. he points out, includes for
! QUALIFICATIONS sl2 ,563 49, for river and har-
Dor work including contracts therefor, So
t'o'Soo' Tor public buildings. none OF which
| were authorized by the fifty-fourth con-
eress, S2,SlS,39Y; for the postal service, Sill
i5i.30o; for the naval establishments as
| 9i'.o2S' and on account OF permanent an
| proprla'ions. mainly to meet interest and
SINKING fund charSes for the bonds issued
by the Cleveland administration, S25 ,gS3.74t
The appropriations are" SAYS MIR, Can.
| MN ~ my Judgment. In excess of the
itIiNfnate demands of the public service
| put TINS TACT. while greatly IN be deporud
Is not In my opinion, properly chargable
| 10 the action of either of the great political
| parties OF the country. 1t is the result of
| conditions accruing out OF the rules of the
| mouse and out OF the rules, practices and
so-caiiod courtesies OF the senate, together
| with the irresponsible manner whereby tho
executive submits to congress estimates To
meet expenditures for the conduct OF the
government. II the appropriations made by
CONGRESS nave been extravagant and beyond
| the revenues of the government how much
more nave been the estimates Of the txocu-
| tive. The record shows that in no instance
| curing many acts past have the appropria-
| tlons made by congress measured up to the
iuil amounts recommended and asked for
by the administration
1t is said that ours Is the only govern
mont in the civilized world wherein the ad-
ministrative branch apparently assumes no
degree of responsibility to the taxpayers
, Tor us demand for the expenditure OF pub
lie money, and that ours is the only gov
ernment wherein the legislative branch
alone exercises the function. or duty, or
check upon public expenditures without any
| considerable degree OF COZ operation on the
| part OF the executive. II is hoped and
telieve, that the incoming president. with
MS long experience as distinguished
| member of the legislative branch OF this
| government, VIII exact OF his cabinet coun-
| sellers some degree OF wholesome effort III
the direction OF intelligent recommendation
! OF public expenditures 10 the end that con-
| eress may not have To strive. unaided and
| alone, toward bringing our public expendi-
lures within the sum of our public reve-
nues'
He criticises the action of the senate IN
always "loedng UP" the general deficiency
biz and making It vehicle for all sorts
Of claims
down appropriations Mr.. Cannon makes the
following pointed statement:
The remedy for THIS evil Is for the great
committees Of the house and senate on the
judiciary claims and war claims TO torniu.
late an intelligent measure that Will rro-
vide tribunal OF final Jurisdiction whittier
these claims may be sent for full and intel
ligent consideration. By such measure
those who have honest and legitimate
claims against the government Gun be mid
and that some OF the claims above referred
to are just and should be paid there Is no
doubt But claims that are based upon
fraud can be stigmatized as fraudulent by
such tribunal and congress for all time
can be relieved of the annual opportunity
for the consideration. There are too many
appropriation bills. Instead OF fourteen
there ought not to be more than ten. The
agricultural bill ought 10 be made IN It
was prior to 1881, a part OF the legislative
tfx,n at,I t,Ii otor a. An
which provides for the official staffs and
expenses of the several executive depart
ments except the agricultural department. |
The army Notifications, military academy
and naval appropriation bills ought to be |
consolidated into one. BY such consolida |
tion much time now wasted In irrelevant
general debate and formal proceedings |
would be saved TO the house"
Mr.. Savers in his statement makes the |
total appropriations Of this congress $50 |
1877 SIC in excess OF the Fifty-tHiri con-
sress. $40. 40 over the Fifty second con-
gress and s7.757,I2S in cycess over the
Fiftyfirst congress. He says:
'The present congress organized In both
branches by the republicans has made or
sent to the president for approval includ-
ing the general deficiency bill as agreed
upon. appropriations In excess OF those
made by tho Fifty-third congress. which
was controlled by the democrats. to the
extent Of s54. 17g.s02. The principal ele-
mcnts OF this increase are on account OF
Notifications, river and harbor works,
the postal service and the naval
establishments. In addition to the enor-
nous increase in direct appropriations this
congress at its first session authorized
contract liabilities for river and harbor
works. Notifications In each OF the navy
and other public works amounting to sI5.-
SIC $50. At least two-thirds or one-half OF
these large sums remains to be provided
for by future congresses. 10 the extent 81
the constitution a fixed charge against the
revenues OF the country which by reason OF
oxtrayagant appropriations now falls short
81, 600 600 month Of meeting the ex-
pendtures OF the government"
After discussing in detail the increases
he concludes:
1.-The appropriations for the support of
the Federal government have grown to
such startling proportions within the last
dozen years as TO render II we'll ngn I'm
possible TO devise means OF raising revenue
wherewith to meet the expenditures. II
a.. ..,,, al fuet about IN rroas |