Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-03-09

IlOQS-" Inc 0AQIl1ul5UIGJIOAG GAcSAilOO
for Part of the Extravagances.
Hope for Reform.
WASHINGTON, March S.-Representa-
tive Cannon, OF Illinois. chairman of the
Appropriations Committee of the House,
and Or sayers. of Texas. who is at the
head Of the minority of the committee,
have prepared them reviews of the appro-
priations OF the Congress just ended and
they will be printed in the Congressional
Record tomorrow morning. Mr. Can
mons statement is Of more than usual sig
nifcance on account of the recommenda-
tions and suggestions he makes as to
methods for keeping down appropriations
in the future Mr. Cannon makes the total
appropriation submitted to the President
for his approval at the last session, includ-
ing the general deficiency which failed in
conference. $5lS, ,1C3, i5S, or $2j,3S3,2,6 l=ss
than the estimates submitted to Congress
by the executive. The appropriations for
the first session were S515,S45,1 ,1s4. making
total for the Congress Of $LO45, ,437 olS,
which he says is $499iISl2 more than The
appropriations for the preceding Congress.
The increase, he points out, incluoes toru-
icauons. sl2563,4 461; for river and harbor
worl,s. including contracts therefor, s.
1886; for public buildings, none Of which
were authorized by the 54th Congress, 81
S4S Ss4 for the postal service, $ll,4ASOJ;
for the naval establishment $S,94I52S, and
on account OF permanent appropriations
mainly TO meet interest and sinking fund
charges for the bonds issued by the Cleve-
land administration, S24,9S3,1A.
The appropriations are" says Mr.. Can
non, in my judgment, in excess OF the
legitimate demands Of the public service.
But this fact, while greatly 10 be de-
plored, is not, in my opinion, properly
charEeabe TO the action of either of the
great political parties of the country. II
is the result of conditions growing out OF
the rules Of the House and out Of the rules
OF the Senate, together with the irrespon-
mits TO Congress estimates 10 meet expen-
ditures for the conduct Of the government.
II the appropriations made by Congress
have been extravagant and beyond the
revenue Of the government, how much
more so have been the estimates Of the
executive. The record shows that IN no
instance during many years have the ap-
propriations made by Congress measured
up 10 the full amounts recommended and
asked for by the administration
1T is hoped, and believe, that the COM
ing President, with his long experience as
a distinguished member Of the legislative
branch of this government. will exact of
his cabinet counsellors some degree of
wholesome effort in the direction of intel
Iigent recommendation of public expendi-
lures. to the end that Congress may not
have to strive unaided and alone toward
bringing our public expenditures within
the sum Of our public revenues.
In discussing the remedies for keeping
down appropriations. Mr.. Cannon makes
the following pertinent suggestions:
The remedy for this evil is for the great
committees of the House and Senate on
the judiciary, claims and war claims, to
formulate an intelligent measure that will
provide a tribunal of final jurisdiction
whittier these claims may be sent for full
and intelligent consideration.
There are too many appropriation bills
Instead Of fourteen. there ought not to be
more than ten The agricultural bill
ought to be made, as it was prior to 1851
a part OF the legislative. executive and
judicial appropriation bill which provides
for the official stan and expenses of the
several executive departments. except the
agricultural department.
The army. fortifcations. military acad-
emy and naval appropriation bills ought to
be consolidated into one BY such consol-
idation much time now wasted in irrele-
want general debate and formal proceed
ings would be saved to the House.
Mr.. Sayers in his statement, makes the
total appropriations of this Congress
A.197.Sl2 in excess Of the Fifty-third Con-
gress: $16S32.47O over the Fifty-second
Congress. and SL757.9OS in excess over the
Fifty-6rst Congress.
He says:
THE present Congress. organized in
both branches by the Republicans. has
made or sent to the President for approv-
al, including the general deficiency bill
as agreed upon. appropriations in excess
OF those made by the Fifty-third Congress.
which was controlled by the Democrats.
to the extent Of S4197S12. The principal
elements Of this increase are on account Of
fortificauons. river and harbor works. the
postal service and the naval establish
ment-"
After discussing in detail the increases.
he concludes:
The appropriations made for the sup
port Of the federal government have
grown 10 such startling proportions with
in the last dozen years as to render It well
night impossible TO devise means Of rails
ing revenue wherewith to meet the ex-
penditures. II the new administration
just about to cross the threshold of
power carries out its pledges by giving
10 the country a protective tariff. it will
utterly fail TO produce the means Of meet
ing expenditures, if they are to be main,
tained on the existing high plane. unless
peradveature the protective tariff measure
should be supplemented with a tax on cof-
fee and tea. and perhaps other taxes of
an equally enormous nature"