The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-03-24

both branches. with a Democratic Execu-
live, amounted, according to the official
kables, to $685., ,2S9, ,20569. To this sum. how
ever, should be added 81 400, 900 on account
Of interest and sinking fund charges for
bonds issued by the Democratic Admin
istration, which were not included In the
estimates Of permanent appropriations, SUBJ
mi,ted to Congress and stated IN the tables,
which brings the sum total OF appropria.
tions for all objects by the Fifty-third Con-
gress up to 1888 ,6Ss, ,2o5.6s, or s49, 1877 s12.S
less than the appropriations, including de-
nciencies, made by the present Congress.
"ln explanation Of this apparent excess OF
appropriations by the Fifty-fourth Con-
gress over those Of the Fifty-third Con-
eress, It should be stated that the Fifty
fourth Congress made increases over its
immediate predecessor on account OF forti-
Acations, in the sum Of S12, ,56S, ,467: on ac-
count Of river and harbor works, including
contracts therefor, in the sum Of S2, 476, SOC;
on account Of the construction OF public
buildings, none of which were authorized
By The Fifty-fourth Congress, in the sum Of
$2,S43, ,e94; for the Postal Service In the sum
Of S1i ,454 .305; for the naval establishment
IN the sum of 90, 947 ,523, and on account OF
permanent appropriations, mainly to meet
interest and sinking fund charges, for the
bonds issued by the Administration just
leaving power, s24, ,sSs,744, or total OF
&C.. .76S, $780,"
Mr.. Cannon condemns the practice Of the
Senate in recent years of amending appro-
priaiion bills, notably the General Deficiency
hill, by incorporating provisions to pay
claims Of every kind and character outstand-
ing against the Government-claiIns that
have no status in many cases other
than perfunctory reports from COM
mittees, mere findings Of the Court OF
Claims, and recommendations and requests
from bureau officers and other officials Of
the Government. The remedy for this evil.
he says. Is the establishment OF tribunal OF
final jurisdiction, whittier these claims may
be sent for full AID intelligent consideration.
=, Mr.. Sayers, Of Texas, Democratic leader
IN the Committee on Appropriations, Will
his views respecting the appropriations for
the Fifty-fourth Congress. He says:
sOne OF the causes for the enormous
growth in appropriations Of late years has
been the increase of our navy. Since that
work was inaugurated in 1883, seventy
seven ships of all classes have been con-
structed or authorized to be constructed at
a cost OF more than S13O, ,000,t0o Already
the number of ships authorized would re-
quire, 1t Is said, twice the present number OF
authorized officers and men in the navy to
keep them all in commission. The cost oftheir
daily maintenance alone Is severe draught
y,on our diminishing revenues. Some
o. tae most expensive Of these great ships
are already clussed by naval experts as obso-
lete. It would have been wiser If we had
needed the advice urged by many In the be-
ginning Of the construction Of our new navy
to eonf1ne appropriations within lines SIM
ply sufficient to keep pace with the progress
Of modern naval architecture.