The San Francisco call., 1899-02-10

occupation of the Philippines and the OBJ
legations which we assumed in the peace
treaty to discharge the claims against
Spain, which claims, he understood, al
ready reached $25, 900 900. Neither did the
Secretary's estimate, he said, take into
consideration the increase of the navy.
1t estimated only the ordinary main
tenance of the navy. But the naval COM
mittee would report in its bill provision
for from twelve to fifteen battle-ships and
cruisers. We did not complain. 1t was a
logical sequence. The army must 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, Cannon said, we must plant our foot
steps with care and see that no dollar
goes out of the treasury except for an
efficient public service.
DO you take into account in your esti-
mate, interrupted Dockery CD of Mis-
souri,, 1.-The Hanna-Payne subsidy bill?''
Cannon replied that he did not include
IN his calculation of a deficiency of S159,-
100000 either the legislation for an efficient
merchant marine or the construction of
the Nicaragua canal. He favored the re-
generation of the merchant marine (Re-
publican applause) and the construction
of the Nicaragua canal Republican ap-
plause.) But he added, with great en-
phasis, Il am not willing TO enter upon
either of these great enterprises until we
have given them full and proper consider
alton and we have provided the revenue to
meet these expenditures. l insist that
there shall go hand in hand with legisla-
tion for these projects the legislation nee
essary to provide the revenues to meet
their cost"
Does the gentleman mean,' interposed
Carmack Cd of Tennessee, that owing
to the responsibilities we have assumed
home?'
Cannon replied that nothing he had said
could be distorted into such a statement.
But he gave 1t as his opinion that the
United States could 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 a great and
posed to entering upon new lines of ex-
penditure until there had been full con-
sideration and real debate and not then
unless there was already on the statute
books revenue legislation to meet lne
expenditures"
Cannon proceeded to point out that all
the session would be occupied, and that
there would be no time to give these
measures the intelligent and proper con-
House was aroused by the statement
Grosvenor R.) of Ohio wanted to know
whether Cannon assumed that one of the
terstate and Foreign Commerce Commit
tee) had been idle or derelict in its duty.
1t was prepared to enlighten the House
on the subject of the canal.
Cannon insisted that nothing he had
said reflected upon that committee. But
It was simply, an organ of the House.
but If it could multiply itself tenfold in
strength and wisdom there was no time
in the next three weeks to place itself
IN touch with the measure so that the
House could intelligently determine the
legislation necessary for the Inaugural
tion of that great work.
Hepburn, chairman of the Committee on
Interstate and Foreign Commerce, asked
Cannon to be more explicit. Coming from
him a statement meant q great deal. He
demanded to know whether Cannon was
to be understood as saying that no OPP
portunity was to be given for the consid-
Grafton of the Nicaraguan canal bill.
Cannon disclaimed any purpose Of
speaking for any one but himself.
Il am one member" said he "I speak
only for myself. l voice only my own
opinion !! do not reflect the sentiment
of others, but / do say candidly upon nv
own responsibility that it is absolutely
impossible in the time remaining for us
to intelligently consider either of these
bills"