The National tribune., 1899-02-16

ueDatc Oh INC SulfuIv CIVIL DiI Cudithh
Cannon, Of the Appropriations Committee
sounded what he regarded as note o.
warning against extravagant appropri-
ations and practically served notice tina,
neither the ship subsidy bill nor tie
Nicaraguan Canal Bill could be passed al
this session. Il |o1t
Although he, specifically disclaimed
speaking for anyone but himself, the
statements he made, coming from the
Chairman OF the Appropriations Commit
tee, caused great interest.
The bill carries s62,328, ,t01, but 900,
900 is for payment to Spain to carry out
the provisions Of the Paris treaty. Ex-
elusive Of that the bili carries sS.O95, 75s
less than the estimates, and S5,929, 81
less than the current law.
In connection with the bill Mr. Cannon
made a general statement as to the con
dition OF the revenues. The Secretary o.
the Treasury, in October last, Mr.. Can
non said, had estimated the deficiency
of the revenues for the fiscal year ending
July 1, 1879, TO he SIP 900, 900, or q
monthly average OF 1888 900.
la his judgment, in the light OF the re-
ceipts and expenditures for the first seven
months thus estimated, the deficiency
was much too low.
The actual deficiency up to Feb. /, 1892
was 49,, ,t5l 900, an average Of s13,307, ,O0G
per month. At this rate the deficiency
But this would not include the $50, ,000, 00o
provided by the bill to carry out the pro-
visions Of the Paris treaty.
The cash balance in the Treasury FEB.
l., including the 500, 900 gold reserve,
was S274. .0oD,0O0. Two hundred million 0.
that had been put into the revenues by
the war loan. Deducting the mon thly
estimated deficiency for the next five
months, there would, he said, be in the
Treasury on July 1, S208, 900. 900. This
was a conservative estimate. There
would be, therefore, S10s, 100000 to meet
the ordinary expenses Of the Government
on that date. These figures, he con
tinued, took no account of the sinking
fund. To care for it would require S53,-
00), 900 additional.
The Secretary of the Treasury esti-
mated the expenditures for the next fiscal
year, exclusive OF the sinking fund, he
said, at S54l 100000 and the revenues,
$3.50, 900, 900, or deficiency Of S3l 100000
Yet, Mr.. Cannon con tinued, Secretary
Gage could not possibly have foreseen
in his estimates for 1900 the changed con
ditionS which followed the negotia ton
OF the peace treaty, the expenditures
which necessarily follow our occupa ton
OF the Philippines and the obligations
which we assumed in the peace treaty to
discharge the claims against SPAIN which
claims, he understood, already reached
325, ,00) 900. Neither did the Secretary's
estimate he said, take into consideration
the increase of the Navy. 1t estimated
only for the ordinary maintenance OF the
Navy.
But the Naval Committee would report
in its bill provision for from II to Is new
battleships and cruisers. 1t was logical
sequence. The Army must also be in
creased. 1t was, therefore, the part of
wisdom and common prudence to fully
realize the condition. which confronted
us with these enormous expenditures
upon US, said Mr.. Cannon. We must
plant our footsteps with care and see
that no dollar goes out OF the Treasury
except for an efficient public service.
In the House, on friday the sundry
civil bill was considered, and several
gentlemen took the opportunity to speak
on expansion.
Chairman Hepburn a'of the Commerce
Committee announced that he would at
the proper time offer the Nicaragua Canal
bill reported by his tGommittee as an
ut to the sundry civil bill now
under consideration ia the House.
-rf -
In the Senate oneSaturday it was agreed
to vote on Mr.. McEaery's resolution on
Feb. 14.rezssss
In the House the day was devoted to
eu!ogies OF mir. Dingley.