The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-02-14
From Chairman Cannon, of the House Com
mittee on Appropriations.
RECEIPTS AND. EXPENDITURES
OF the Government for the Next Two Years Subject of Grave Con.
cern-He Shows Prospects OF a Heavy Defcit-He Declares OPP.
position to All Extra Expenditures, Including the Mica
ragua Canal and the Ship Subsidy BlIs-Heavy
Expenses of the Spanish War-A Lively
Tilt in the Senate.

said, take into consideration the in
crease 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
twelve to fifteen new battleships and
cruisers. He did not complain. 1t was
a logical sequence. The army must
also be Increased. 1t was, therefore,
the part CT wisdom and common prC
dence TO fully realize the condition
which confronted us. With these enor-
nous expenditures upon us we must
plant our footsteps with care and 20
see that no dollar goes out of the treas
r except for an efficient public ser
vice.
DO you take into account IN your
estimate" interrupted Mr.. Dockery,
democrat, of Missouri, 1.-The I'M
Payne subsidy bill"
Mr.. Cannon replied hat he did not
include in his calculation of a deficiency
of s159, 000, 900 either the legislation for
an efficient merchant marine, and the
construction of the Nicaragua canal.
He favored the regeneration Of the
merchant marine Republican applaaSe)
and the construction of the Nicaragua
canal. Republican applause.) But
he added, with great emphasis, Il I'M
not willing to enter upon either of these
vast enterprises until we have given
them full and proper consideration n
until we w provided the revenue
to meet these expenditures. 9sist
that there shall go hand-in-hand with
legislation for these projects the leg
islation necessary to provide the reve-
nue. for their cost"
Mr.. Smith, republican, Of Michigan,
with some display of heat, insisted
! CONGRESS 2
that the canal should be constructed
even if posterity had to be mortgaged
/; to do so. But Mr.. Cannon replied that
he could not be swept off his feet. I'M
mature, ill-considered legislation now,
he declared, might embarrass the great
work in the future rather than ad-
vance it.
! I'm view of the deficiencies in thu
revenues which the gentleman has
pointed out" interposed Mr.. Lewis,
democrat, of Washington, docs he an
ticipate an early issue of bonds?"
I'VE can support the navy, army and
perform our duties here and in our
: outlying possessions out Of the present
revenues this year andzneXt," replied
Mr.. Cannon frankly, but if We are to
accomplish that we must see to it that
no great appropriations go through in
the immediate future. If you talk on
great blocks of expenditures you must
issue bonds"
"In your estimates nave you included
any revenue from Porto Rico or the
Philippines" asked Mr.. Dockery.
Il have not"
During the early part Of the session,
the bill passed to remove the existing
disability of ex-confederates which pre-
vent them from sitting on federal petit
and grand juries. This was the last
of the political disabilities of ex-con-
federates to be removed.
The house went into committee of
the whole and took up consideration OF
the sundry civil appropriation bill .
At 5 clock the committee rose and
the house adjourned.