The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-03-07
IT WAS NOT IN IT
THE BILLION DOLLAR C0NGRess:WAs AN
ECONOMICAL AFFAIR
five Contrast i With the Ffiy-fifth. Figures
Showing Extravaganza Prepared by
Mr.. Dockery.

ashlngton, ID. c., March 5..-Mr.
Dockery, of Missouri, the ranking Dem
ocratic member of the House appro-
priations committee, makes the following
statement of the expenditures made by
the Fifty-Fifth Congress, which ad-
journed on Saturday.
This Congress easily surpasses al its
predecessors in the stupenious aggrc-
gate of its appropriations. T. was
thought that the Fifty-First Congress,
commonly known as the billion dons r
Congress- had-in point OF extravaganza
of riations-touched a limit which
would not be reached. or, at least. sur
passed, by any OF its successors.
This Congress. however. has far OK
ceeded the appalling total Of approprla-
tons then made, and il viii be rcmem-
bered that the billion dollar Congress-
was followed by Overwhelming disaster
to the Republican party at the ensuing
election.
Confronted with a war with Spain
requiring the imposition of additional
taxation, it is obvious that rigid economy
should have been applied in all other
directions to the expenditure of public
money. The people were wiling to meet
all the demands upon the national treas
ury made necessary by the Spanish war.
but it is fair to presume that they eX-
pected their representatives. in view of
the cheerful disposition manifested 10
meet these added burdens, to limit The
ordinary appropriations TO the uerassi-
ties of a wise and economical admins
tration.
'These expectations have not been
realized
''rhe result is an actual deficiency in
current revenues ammounting, on the
first of this month, to 800, 100. 554. 30
This deficiency. as shown by recent
conservative estimate by Chairman Can
non of the Appropriation committee. will
probably reach $3.50. 100000 on the Both
of June next.
1t is impossible to estimate with ali
solute accuracy the treasury deficiency
for the coming fiscal year. The Secre-
tary of the Treasury. in his annual re-
port, made in December last. estimated
ii at about S31, 100000; but it is now
apparent that it will not be less than
800 100000. 1t is almost certain. there
fore, that the government will be COM
PEELED during the calendar year 1900 70
face an actual treasury deficiency. This
S462, 10000 of income arising from the
sale of bonds under this administration
and that of President Cleveland will
then have been exhausted, and the
treasury will pass from the condition of
borrowed surplus to an actual deficit.
Such condition must be met, either by
increased taxation or by the Issue of
treasury certificates. or by an additional
bond issue.
Notwithstanding this deploraole
treasury situation, which has been called
over and over again to the attenti IN
of Congress and the country. appropria-
tons have been made which in many
eases have not ntwarranted by TIE
interests of the public service. or which.
il proper in themselves, should have
been postponed until the national income
should be ample to meet all its liabii-
ties without the necessity of bond
issues.
''.rhe appropriations Of the original
billion dollar Congress amounted 10
81 ,O35, $3.50. 1O9.94. The appropriations
of the Congress just ended reach the
mighty aggregate Of S1.566.S90, O16.2S.
1t is fair to deduct from this total Sis2.-
$50, 0S3.47, made necessary to meet the
liabilities of the Spanish war. So if we
deduct from the grand total the labili-
ties on account Of the war with Spain.
it appears that the appropriations for
the ordinary expense of the govern
ment are 81 .0S4. 1921, 932.S1. The appro-
praton of the Congress just ended TO
meet the ordinary governmental cspen-
ses exceed those Of the preceding Fifty
fourth Congress by $50, TAT, 65S.94. Not
only this. but the contract liabilities au-
thorized by the Congress just expired
for new ships and their armament, pub
lie buildings, rivers and harbors. and
miscellaneous items amount TO SI0,60H.
524. If. therefore. to the ordinary ap-
uropriations is added the liabilities on
account of these authorized contracts.
We ascertain that the appropriations ana
contract liabilities amount to the tremon-
dous total of 81 ,154.93O. 436.Si.
.aThese increased appropriations have
gone for French spoliation claims,
nnblic buildings, rivers, harhors, Bow
man acts claims. and hundreds Of other
nroiacts. some meritorious, but many of
tbem not entitled to recognition by he
national government. In nearly every
branch of the civil service OF the govern
mont there has been an increase If ap-
preparations.
..The time has come TO reform the
scale of national expenditures. The
reckless improvidence of the outgoing
Congress will at least serve the good
nnrnose Of arousing the people and of
causing them 10 send Representatives
10 the national capital who will reduce
fine burden imposed by riotous appto-
priations"