The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-08
AN ENORMOUS INCREASE.
The Democratic View of the Appro
priations by Congress.

The Democratic view oil the Appro-
printions by Congress.
In the House yesterday Representative
Livingston, senior Democratic member of
the Appropriations Committee, presented
a statement of appropriations made dur
ing the session of Congress just closed.
The statement embodies the views OF the
minority and Is as follows:
In submitting a statement Of the ap-
propriations 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 enor-
nous appropriations for 1900 on account Of
the Spanish Cuban war. the Army and
Navy appropriations for this session are
S50, 0,o0g 600 in excess of those of the last
session.
s'The statement l submit shows also
that in every Department Of the Govern
ment, beginning with the Agricultural and
ending with the permanent appropria-
tions We have increased at this session
the amounts authorized at the last ses-
sion. And when to the aggregate we add
the amounts that should have been appro-
priated at this SESSION, but which have
been deferred. ftr no good reason, or at
least for reasons that need explanation on
the part of those in control-anounts
which must be appropriated at the second
eession of this Congress, such as that
necessary to complete the Nicaragua Ca
nal tthe bill having passed the House,
carrying authorization of an expenditure
Of S141. .0G0, ,6e0), and also that usually ap
propriated for rivers and harbors, sl6.-
goo. 900; and for public buildings and
grounds. 100000 and for outstanding
claims estimated at 10000, ,000-ii, say,
We add $40. .000, 600 to the sum stated in
the table, s709, ,729. 1859, We would have a
grand total Of sS79. 729 SO for this ses-
sion alone. And thus the total shown in
tie exhibit is not quite complete or fair.
considering that such large amounts that
must be met are withheld for the next
session.
Il submit that, to be fair, we should let
each fiscal year take care OF all necessary
appropriations. and not unload this year on
the fiscal year 1909 things that should be
provided for end included in the fiscal year
1901.
"And I call attention also to the constant
and gradual increase in the appropriations
for pensions. and likewise TO the legisla-
tive, executive, and judicial appropria-
tfons. These items could not have been af-
Eected to any great extent by the Spanish
Cuban war. II 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 before them. and the Committee
on Rivers and Harbors all matters before
them, with two or three exceptions. and
Ill accounts and claims have been practi-
cally barred from consideration at this ses-
sion"
Mr.. Livingston In an exhibit accompany
ing his statement, presents comparison
OF the appropriations for the fiscal years
1897, 1898. 1899. 1900, and 1901, and made by
the Fifty-fourth and Fifty-hfth Con-
gresses. and at the first session OF the FIJI
ty-sixth Congress.
Continuing. the statement rec!tes:
''It should be borne in mind that in the
case OF the appropriations for the Navy,
the authorization OF the eight new warships
two battleships. three armored cruisers.
and three protected cruisers-involves an
ultimate expenditure for construction, ar
NOR. and armament, Of something like
$56, ,000, 600, not one dollar OF which is now
appropriated for and does not figure In the
navy item. but must be met in future
years.
THE dominant party attempted TO COM
NIT this Congress at this session, and will
doubtless renew their efforts at the CON-
ing session to SO commit the Government
90 what is known as the ship subsidy
scheme. which involves the sum Of $780,
coz. 600. to be expended throughout term
of years"