The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-10


year. exclusive of the sinking fund. he said,
at $641 10000. and the revenues $4,000 900 or
a deficiency of 100000. Yet, Mr. Cannon
continued, Secretary Goge could not possi-
bly, have foreseen in his estimates for 1906
the changed conditions which followed the
negotiations of the peace treaty, the ex-
penditures which necessarily follow our oc-
cupation Of the Philippines and the obliga-
tions which we assumed in the peace treaty
to discharge the claims against Spain.
which claims, he understood, already
reached S25,0OOOOO. Neither did the secre-
tary's estimate, he said, take into consid-
GRAFTON the increase of the navy. 1t esti-
mated only for the ordinary maintenance
of the navy. But the naval committee would
report in its bill provision for from twelve
to fifteen new battle ships and cruisers. He
did not complain. It was logical sequence.
The army must also be increased. 1t was,
therefore, the part of wisdom and common
prudence to fully realize the condition which
confronted US. With these enormous eXpep-
ditures upon us, said Mr.. Cannon, we must
plant our footsteps with care and to see
that no dollar goes out of the treasury ex-
cept for an efficient public service.
do you take into account in your esti-
mate" interrupted Mr.. Dockery Dem.,
MOI 1.-The Hanna-Payne subsidy bill?"
REVENUE MUST BE PROVIDED.
Mr.. Cannon replied that he did not include
in his calculation OF a deficiency of $159,000-
coo either the legislation for an efficient
merchant marine or the construction of the
Nicaragua canal. He favored the regenera-
ton of the merchant marine Republican
applausel and the construction of the Nj
caragua canal. Republican applause.l
But" he added, with great emphasis, Il
am not willing to enter upon either Of these
vast enterprises until we have given them
full and proper consideration and until we
have provided the revenue to meet these
expenditures 1 insist that there shall go
hand in hand with legislation for these
projects the legislation necessary to provide
the revenues to meet their costs"
Does the gentleman mean," interposed
Mr.. Carmack (Dem.. Temp that owing to
the responsibilities we have assumed abroad
we must spend less money at home?'
Mr. Cannon replied that nothing he had
said could be distorted into such a state
ment. But he gave it as his opinion the
United States would never again spend less
than was spent in the year prior to the war
with Spain. He did not stand in his place
seeking to cripple an efficient public service
for great and growing population, but he
was opposed to entering upon new lines of
expenditure until there had been full con-
sideration and real debate and not then un-
less there was already on the statute
books revenue legislation to meet the ex-
penditures." Mr. Cannon proceeded to point
out that all the time for the remaining
three weeks of the session would be occu'
pied and that there would be no time to
give these measures the intelligent and
proper consideration they should have. The
whole House was aroused by the statement.
Mr.. Grosvenor (Rep., Ohio), wanted to
knew whether Mr.. Cannon assumed that
one Of the great committees of the House
(the interstate and foreign commerce COM
mittee) had been idle or derelict in its duty.
1t was prepared to enlighten the House on
the subject of the canal.
Mr.. Cannon insisted that nothing he had
said reflected upon that committee But it
was simply an organ Of the House. He was
not charging it with derelction, but if it
could multiply itself tenfold in strength and
wisdom there was no time in the next three
weeks for it to place itself in touch with
the members so that the House could in
telligently determine the legislation neces-
sary for the Inauguration of the great work.
Mr. Hepburn, chairman of the committee
on interstate and foreign commerce, asked
Mr. Cannon to be more explicit Coming
from him a statement meant great DEAL
He demanded to know whether Mr.. Cannon
was to be understood as saying that no OPP
portunity was to be given for consideration
of the Nicaragua canal bill.
ENTHUSIAM AROUSED.
Mr.. Cannon discIaimed any purpose of
speaking for any one but himself. II am
but one member said he. 81 speak only of
myself. 1 voice only my own opinion. do
not reflect the sentiment of others, but do
say candidly, on my own responsibility, that
it is absolutely impossible in the time re-
naming for US to intelligently consider
either of these bills" AT the same time Mr..
Cannon professed his friendship for the
canal project, and aroused enthusiasm as he
spoke of the future time when the United
States would construct the canal upon
zone of territory owned by the United
States from the center of the earth to the
sky above.
Mr.. William Alden Smith (Rep, Mich),
with some display of heat, insisted that the
canal should be constructed even if posterity
had to be mortgaged to do so. But Mr.. Can
non replied that he could not be swept off
his feet. Immature ill-considered legisla-
tion now, he declared, might embarrass tn,
great work in the future rather than adj
vance it. Mr.. Smith protested against fore
closure of opportunity TO act upon the bill,
but Mr.. Cannon reiterated his statement as
to the impossibility of doing it justice in the
time remaining.
'I favor the construction of the canal"
said Mr.. Smith, even if we have to issue
bonds and mortgage the future"
1T is we'll enough to talk glittering gen
eralities in an after-dinner Speech" retorted
Mr.. Cannon, "but when we enter upon prac-
teal legislation must dot our is and
cross our 'ts.' The canal bill cannot prop
erly be considered during the next three
weeks. When you or anybody else can tell
me what the cost of this enterprise will be-
said he, turning angrily upon Mr.. Smith,
and tell me when we can get title TO the
territory and arrange the means to pay for
the canal I'll join hands with you
''In view of the deficiencies in the rev.
enue which the gentleman has pointed out"
interposed Mr.. Lewis (Dem., Wash.), docs
he anticipate an early issue of bonds?"
BONDS MAY BE NECESSARY.
''We can support the navy and army ana
perform our duties here and in our outlying
possessions out Of the present revenues this
year and next" replied Mr.. Cannon, frank
ly, but IL we are to accomplish that we
must see TO it that no great appropriations
go through in the Immediate future. If you
take on great blocks OF expenditures Won