Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-02-10


said. at S6il 100000. and the revenues NJ
Sol0000O0. or a deficiency OF S}l 100000.
Yet Mr.. Cannon continued. Secretary
Gage could not possibly have foreseen In
his estimates for 1900 the changed condi-
tons which followed the negotiation OF
the peace treaty. the expenditures which
necessarily follow our occupation of the
Philippines. and the obligation which we
assumed in the peace treaty TO discharge
the claims against Spain. which claims,
he understood, already reached SE9'cOo0S'
ARMY AND NAVY INCREASE.
Neither did the Secretary's estimate
he said. take into consideration the in
crease OF the navy. 1t estimated only for
the ordinary maintenance Of the navy
But tho Naval Committee would report
in its bill provision for from twelve 10
fifteen new battleships and cruisers. He
did not complain. 1t was a logical Sc
Quenco. The army must also be increased.
IL 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 pub
lie service.
'Do you take into account. I'm your est-
mate" interrupted Mr.. Dockery Demo
craO OF Missouri, the "llanna-Payne
subsidy bill?"
SHIP SUBSIDY AND CANAL BILLS.
Mr.. Cannon replied that he did not in
clude in his calculation of n deficiency
of $l59Ooo.oco either the legislation for an
efficient merchant marine. or the con-
structiOn Of the Nicaraguan canal. He
favored regeneration Of the merchant
marine Republican applause) and the
construction Of the Nicaragua canal (Re-
publican applause). but" he added with
great emphasis. Il am not willing TO
enter upon either Of these vast enter
prises until we have given them fun and
proper consideration. and until we nave
provided the revenue 10 meet these eX-
penditures J insist that there shall go
hand in hand with legislation for THESE
projects the legislation necessary TO pro-
vide the revenue for their cost
OUR FOREIGN RESPONSIBILITIES.
Does the gentleman mean" interposed
Mr. Carmack DemocraO. Of Tennessee
! chat. owing to the responsibilities We
have assumed abroad we must spend less
| money At home?'
Mr. Cannon replied that nothing ne hau
said could be distorted into sucn state
uent. but ne gave it as his opinion that
| the United States would never AGAIN
enend less than was spent in the year
nrior 70 the war with Spain. He did not
stand in his place seeking to cripple an
efficient public service for q great ana
growing population. but he was opposed 20
entering upon new lines Of expenditure
until there had been fun consideration
and real debate. and not then until there
was already on the statute-books reVe-
nue. legislation to meet the expenditures
NO TINE FOR CANAL BILL.
Mr.. Cannon proceeded to point out that
all the time for the remaining three
/ weeks Of the session would be occupied
and that there would be no time 10 give
! these measures the intelligent ana proper
consideration they should nave. Ihe
whole House was aroused by this state
ment Mr.. W. A. Smith Republican), OF
Michigan. with some display of heat IN
) sisted that the canal should be con-
structed. even If pOsterity had 10 be
mOrtgaged 10 do SO, bu. Mr.. cannon re-
piled that he could n.t be swept OF ms
feet. Immature. ill-consldered legisIa-
tion now" he declared. might embarrass
the great work I'm the future. rather thar
! advance If.
Mr. Smith protested against foreclosure
of opportunity TO debate upon the bill.
but NIr. Cannon reiterated his statement
as TO the impOssibility Of doing IT justice
I'm the tine remaining 81 favor the con-
struction of the canal" said Mr.. smith
"even if we have TO issue bonds and
mortgage the future
/ 1T is well enough to talk glit'ering
eaneralities in an after dinner speech.
retorted Mr.. Cannon. "but when We enter
upon practical legislation we must doi
our is and cross our is. The canal bill
cannot properly be considered during the
rrl.fra or
else can tell me what the cost of this
enterprise will be" said he. turning an
erilv upon Mr.. Smith. land tell me when
we can get title to the territory and ar
range the means 10 pay for the canal
I'll Join hands with YOU
POSSIBLE BOND ISSUE.
"In view Of the deficiencies in the reve-
nues which the gentleman has pointed
out" interposed Mr.. Lewis CDemocraO
of Washington "dOes he anticipate al
issue of bonds?"
eve can support the army and perform
our duties here and in the outlying pos
sessions on the revenues this year anC
the next" replied Mr. Cannon, frankly
"but if we are to accomplish that We
must see to 1t that no great propositions
go through in the immediate future. j
you take on great blocks Of expenditure:
you must issue bonds
40 REDUCTION IN WAR TAXES.
Cant there be reduction in the wal
taxes?" asked Mr.. Simpson Democrat
| of Tennessee.
''Not in the next two years"
I'm your estimates. have YOU included
any revenue from Porto Rico or the Phi
lippines?" asked Mr.. Dockery
81 have not"
AR Eopncffc cpappn urnc in every way
a notable one, and doubtless will furnisl
the text for a good deal Of discussion du
ring the remainder Of the session.
At its conclusion Mr. McRae Demo
crat). Of Arkansas and Mr. Miers Demo
craD Of Indiana. spoke earnestly i'm favol
of the immediate necessity for retrench
ment. and Mr.. Talbert Democrat. oi
South Ca-olina in opposition to the ship
subsidy bill.
BILLS PASSED.
During the early part of the session
bills were passed
70 permit hOmesteaders i'm Florida
driven from their homes by the storm
! September. 1896 to return within one yea
and perfect titles 10 their homesteads.
To remove the existing disability of eX
Confederates which prevents them IRON
sitting ON Federal petit and grand Juries
CThis is the last of the political disaDlll
ties of eX-Confederates to De remOVed)
For the relief OF certain tObacconists o
Lynchburg. Va.
The bills providing for public building
at Altoona. Pa. and Blair City, Neb.
were passed, and the House then wen
into Committee Of the Whole. Mr. Sher
man. OF New York I'm the chair. and tool
up consideration Of the sundry civil bill
At o'clock the committee rose and I'll