The herald., 1897-03-09
THE MILLIONS OF MONEY
Appropriated by the Late Con.
greSS
EXCEED NATIONAL INCOME
And the Legitimate Demands Of the
Public Service
Chairman Cannon Prepares His Review Of Ap-
propristions and Offers Suggestions
for Keeping Down Expenses
Press Special Wire

WASHINGTON, March S.-Represen-
tative 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 the COM
mittee, have prepared their reviews of
the appropriations of the congress just
ended and they will be printed in the
Congressional Record tomorrow morn
ing. Mr.. Cannons statement Is of more
than usual significance on account Of
the recommendations and suggestions
he makes for methods of keeping down
appropriations in the future.
Mr. Cannon makes the total appro-
priations submitted to the president for
his approval at the last session, includ-
ing the general deficiency. which failed
in conference, $51s. .103.S .S45. or $25.SS3,276
less than the climates submitted to con-
gress by the executive. The appropria-
tions for the former session were $515.-
S45, 1874. making a total for the congress
of 1,O43, ,437, ,01S, which he says Is $49.-
795,S12 more than the appropriations for
the preceding congress. The increases.
he points out, include for Notifications.
| $13, ,563, ,467; for rivers and harbors, in
cluding contracts therefor. 81. .506; for
public buildings, none Of which were au-
thorlzed by the Fifty-fourth congress,
81, ,343, 1884, for the postal service. $11. 1884,
305; for naval works, $S.947. .523. and on
account of permanent appropriations
mainly to meet interest and sinking
fund, charges for the bonds issued by
the Cleveland administration. $24. 1885,
744.
"The appropriations are.' says Mr..
Cannon, "in my judgment. In excess Of
the legitimate demands OF the public
service. But this fact, while greatly to
be deplored, Is not, In my opinion, prop
erly chsrgeable to the action Of either
of the great political parties Of the coun-
try. It Is the result of conditions accru-
| ing from the rules Of the house. and of
the rules. practices and so-called cour-
| tesies Of the senate. together with the
| irresponsible manner whereby the exc
cutive submits to congress estimates to
| meet expenditures for the conduct of
the government. If the appropriations
made by congress have been extrava-
CANT and beyond the revenues OF the
government, how much so have been
the estimates OF the executive? The
Record shows that In no instance during
many years past have the appropria-
tions made by congress measured up to
the full amounts recommended and ask
ed for by the administration.
1T Is said ours Is the only government
In the civilized world wherein the ad-
ministrative branch assumes no degree
of responsibility to the taxpayers for
its demands for the expenditure of pub
lic money, and that ours Is the only gov
eminent wherein the legislative
branches exercise the function or duty
Of check upon the public expenditures
with degree of cooperation on the
part of the executive. 1t is hoped and
believe the incoming president, with his
long experience as member Of the leg
islative branch Of this government, Will
exact OF his cabinet councillors some de-
gree of wholesome EFFORT in the direc-
tion OF intelligent recommendation Of
public expenditures, in the end that con-
gress may not have to strive unaided
and alone toward bringing our public
expenditures within the range OF our
public revenues"
He criticises the action of the senate
in always loading up" the general de-
foiency bill and making 1t a vehicle for
all sorts of claims.
MIR. Cannon makes the following perti-
nent suggestions: THE remedy for this
eveil Is for the great committees Of the
house and senate who carry claims to
formulate an Intelligent measure that
will provide tribunal Of final jurisdtc-
tion, whittier these claims may be- sent
for full and Intelligent consideration. BY
such a measure those who have honest
and legitimate claims against the gov
ernment can be paid, 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 con
be stignlatized as fraudulent by such
tribunal, and congress- once Tor all, can
be relieved Of the annual opportunities
for their consideration.
There are too many appropriation
bills. Instead of fourteen. there ought
not be more than ten. The agricultural
bill ought to- be made as It was prior to
1881. a part of the judicial bill, which
provides for the official staffs and Of sew
eral staffs and expenses OF the several
executive departments except the agri-
cultural department.
The army, fertilization, military
academy and naval appropriation bills
ought to be consolidated into one. By
such consolidation, much time wasted
in prevalent general debate and formal
proceedings would be saved to the pub
lic."
Mr. Sayers, in his statement, makes
the total appropriations of this congress
$54, ,187. .812 In excess of the preceding con-
gress. $61, ,332,470 over the fifty-Second
congress, and $7,757, 1908 In excess over the
f1fty-first congress.
He says: THE present congress- or
ganized in both branches by the Repub-
llcanS, mas maze ana sent 10 the preSl-
dent for approval, including the general
deficiency bills as agreed upon, appro-
priations In excess of those made by the
ffty-third congress. which was con-
trolled by the Democrats to the extent
of $54, ,S12. The principal elements Of
this increase are on account Of the forti-
fcations, river and harbor works, the
postal service and the naval establish
ment. In addition to this enormous ap-
propriation. this congress at it's first ses-
sion authorised contract liabilities for
river and harbor work. fortihcations. in
crease Of the navy and other public
works amounting to SIS. SIG, ,4S0
AT least two-thirde or ome-half Of this
large sum remaLine to be provided for by
future congresses, and to that extent It
constitutes fxed chGrEe against the
revenues OF the country, which, by rea
son Of extravagant appropriations, now
fall short 5000, 900 " month OF meeting
the expenditures Of the government"
Oakleyss Effects
sAN ERANCusCQ. March o.-C6ro-
uer Hawkins was today permitted by