The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-06-08
THE OTHER SIDE.
Democratic Summary of the Appro-
priation by Congress.

Washington, June Representative
Livingstone (Ga.), the ranking minority
member of the house committee on APP
propria tons, made the following state
ments as to appropriations from the
standpoint of the minority:
In submitting a statement of the ap-
preparations made at this session of the
Fifty-sixth congress, 1 beg to call to
the attention of the house and the
country the fact that notwithstanding
the enormous appropriations for 1900
on account Of the SpaniSh-Cuban war,
the army and navy appropriations for
this session are $4,000 600 in excess of
those Tor the last session. The state
ment 1 submit shows also that in every
department of the government begin
ming with the agricultural and ending
with the permanent appropriations, we
have increased at this session the
amounts authorized at the last session,
and when to the aggregate we add the
amounts that should have been apprO-
priated at this session, but which have
been deferred for no good reason, or at
least for reasons that need legislation
on the part of those in control, amounts
which must be appropriated at the sec
Ond session of this congress, such as
that necessary to complete the Mica
ragua canal Cthe bill having passed the
house,, carrying authorization of an
expenditure of $141, 000, 900, and also that
usually appropriated for rivers and
harbors. 5000, 900; and for public
buildings and grounds, $4,000, 900; for
outstanding claims, estimated at $10,
600 000-if, I say, we add $40, 900 600. to
the sum stated in the table, 500, 729,
476, we would have a grand total of
1873. 329, AIS for this session alone. And
thus the total shown in the exhibit is
not quite complete or fair, considering
that such large amounts that must be
met are withheld for the next session.
I SubE1it that, to be fair, we should let
each fiscal year take care of all neces-
! ~ and unload fhiC
/ year on the fiscal year 1902 things that
! should be provided for and included in
the fiscal year 1901
And I call attention also to the con-
| slant and gradual increase in the ap-
| preparations for pensions and likewise to
| the legislative, executive and judicial
appropriations. These items could not
! have been affected to any great extent
| by the Spanish-Cuban war. 1t shows,
| indeed, an increase, as before stated, all
| along the line, despite the fact that the
! committee on public buildings and
/ grounds have held back all matters be-
| fore them and the committee on rivers
and harbors all matter before them
| with two or three exceptions, and all &C
| counts and claims have been practically
barred from consideration at this SEES
| sion"
Mr.. Livingston then gives a large ia
BILE showing the appropriations for the
years 1897 to 1901 inclusive and contin-
| ues:
snOuld De borne IN mind that in the
case of the above noted appropriations
for the navy the authorization of the
eight new war ships 1.-TWO battleShipS
three armored cruisers and three pro
| tected cruisers) involves an ultimate
expenditure for construction, armor anC
! armament, of something like $56. 600 coo
| not one dollar of which is now appropri-
| ated and does not figure in the navy
item but must be met in future years
The dominant party attempted tt
commit this congress at this session
and doubtless will renew their efforts al
the coming session to commit the gov
eminent to what is known as the shiE
subsidy scheme which involves the sun
of $12O,000,0 900. to be expended through.
out a term of years.