Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-03-10
Grand total of appropria-
lions by the present con-

6IcoS ,oVVsVVV
The Fifty-fifth congress will go
down on record as the most prodigal
in the history of the republic. 1t
puts the Reed Billion Dollar Con-
gress" in the shade by the matter of
1857 100000. The total deficiency in
revenues for the fiscal year ending next
June will aggregate no less than $780,
100000. OF the total outlay of ma
tional funds by vote of this congress,
about $364,OOO,000 is chargeable to the
war with Spain.
Because of the profligacy of congress
in providing ways and means for emp
tying the national treasury, there is to
be an eleventh hour fight of congress
sional economists against the Nicara-
qua canal on the ground that there is
not enough cash on hand to warrant
this expenditure.
Because of this same profligacy there
will remain in the national strong box
on June 80, according to the official
figures of the Republican chairman Of
the house committee on appropria-
tions, exclusive of gold reserve, only
$S,0o0,000 of the 5000, 100000 war bond
issue.
Tainted by his Democratic col
leagues into frankness and figures,
Chairman Cannon Of the committee on
appropriations told the house plain
tale, which, stripped of verbiage, sets
forth these facts
First-He will oppose the passage of
the Nicaragua canal billiard in this
he Is said to reflect the ideas of
Speaker Reed-because the expendi-
lures thus far made have so stripped
the treasury that this extra expense
would swamp it.
Second-All the revenues collected
for this fiscal year have been expend-
ed, the war bond issue has been depict
ed, and by June 80 the government
will have a deficiency Of at least $780,
100000, perhaps more.
Third-Unless congress exercises
rigid economy in public expenditures
for the next two years, there will have
to be increased taxation levied on the
people, or there will have to be an adj
ditional issue of bonds.
Chairman Cannon did not give this
information freely and voluntarily. He
was provoked to frankness by the
importantly of Republican demands
for large appropriations for every con-
ceivable purpose and by the insistence
Of the Democrats that he state why he
was opposed to the Nicaragua canal
bill becoming law at this session of
congress.
The sundry civil bill, discussion of
which brought out Chairman Can
mons warning of probable increased
taxation or a bond issue, carries ap-
proximately $43,0OO,OO0 for various
public improvements and the O,OO0,-
900 indemnity to Spain for relinquish-
ing sovereignty in the Philippines.
Chairman Cannon said that the sec
rotary Of the treasury had made an
error in estimating the deficiency for
this fiscal year at only $112,OO0,000.
The figures for the first nine months
Of the fiscal year show that the av-
erage monthly deficit was $4,000 900.
not taking into consideration the $780,
O00, 900 indemnity for Spain, and this,
he was satisfied, would not be reduced,
so that the total deficiency for the
fiscal year could not be under $780,
900, 900.
Besides all this, the naval commit
tee would have to report a bill pro-
viding for ten or twelve warships to
meet changed conditions; there would
have to be an appropriation for the
army sufficient to maintain sovereign
ty in the new territories. 1t was the
part of wisdom, he said, not to go
beyond the resources of the govern
ment. This would happen, however, if
the greatest economy were not exer-
,ised.
II am not willing to pass the bill
for the Nicaragua canal"
said he, until after it has been prop
,rly considered; until after We have
negotiated with Costa RIGA and Mica
aqua for the strip of territory neces-
;ary, and then l am not willing to
pass it until sufficient revenues have
oeen provided to meet the expense of
In the three weeks re-
of the life of this congress
he time is not enough to properly |
consider the bill"
"You are not in favor, then" asked |
Mr.. Dockery, "of putting the Nicara-
qua canal bill on an appropriation
neasure?"
1.-THE time is too short to intelli-
,ently consider it," replied Mr.. Can
ION.
lis Air Severe Was But a Mere Veneer.
From the New York Herald: With