The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-29
a Proaigate Congress.

Prohigate Congress.
One of the most remarkable and signif-
cant things about the closing days of the
Fifty-sixth Congress is the meek and
lamblike manner in which Democrats in
both houses are sitting STILL and by their
almost uabroken silence, consenting to
the NEST shameless programme of ex-
trayagance and corruption in the annals
of American legislation. Loyalty to their
country ard party should spur these
Democrats in Congress TO vigorous oppo-
sition-daily, hourly, and momentarily. If
10 other good came of it, the country at
least would no; lack the warnings and ex-
posurss that such a course would result
in The very fact that many Of the meas
ures pressed by the majority leaders have
millions and superb lobhles behind them,
ought to make Democratic Senators and
Representatives all the more eager to COM
lat them in order that Democratic con-
s;ituercies may feel assured that their
men on Capitol Hill have not been acct
dentaliy or otherwise tarred with the stick
OF corruption Since Democracy in Con-
gress IS unwilling to undertake the task of
letting daylight into cave filled with dis
honest jobs and jC5bers. it becomes the
province CT the press to serve the public
in that respect.
The appropriations made at the first ses-
sion of the present Congress aggregated
s710.050.SG2. Those estimated for the cur
rent session sra stated at approximately
s7iS .5o0.0e0 Added TO these there are
deficits to he provided for of unknown ex-
tent Sc far they appear to amount to
about S50GJde0o, with the expectation
that not less than $1,000, 600 additional
viii be reported The total ascertained and
estimated appropriations. with deficiencies,
will aggregate the sum of 81 4o3, SIS. 6G6,
or within q few thousand dollars OF a bill
lion and half These figures do not in
clude the Ship Subsidy bill, which, If
passed. would add an annual charge of
ss,0G0ee0 On the Treasury; nor the St
Louis Exposition appropriation of $1,000
200; nor tho Pacific cable scheme. 500, O00.-
COO; nor the Southern cotton claims, So
GoO.000; nor yet the proposed appropria-
tion of SI50.ooO for the Buffalo. and $780,
oo0 for the Charleston IS CO fairs Here
are Sl4 eco in a lump, and passage of
the Nicaragua Canal bill would probably
carry another appropriation of $4,000, coo
10 start the great work.
The regular" appropriations include
the fragrant River and Harbor job, which.
as it stands in the Senate ultimately will
call upon American taxpayers for sew
enty-five million dollars. fifty per cent of
which might as well be cast into the sea
for any practical good its expenditure will
aprpnD1fcb
hitherto unheard of extravaganza in a
time Of peace is a warning to the Ameri-
can people. 1t is PASSING strange that IT
10 not also one to their temporary mas ers
The Spanish war is long over and paid for
The Instruction in the Philippines. ac-
cording 20 declarations OF the Admins
tration, is practically ended. 1t is as
sumed to be so nearly so that the heaviest
pressure is being brought to bear to pass
the Spoener bill, which would give the
President autocratic executive, legislative
and judicial power over the archipelago,
and SO make IL possible for him to dispose
OF the enormously valuable resources and
opportunities OF the isIsnos by grant,
lease. franchise. or Gift to whom and IN
what terms he pleased. and through
countability TO anybody.
Two years ago a billion and a half Con-
gress did not excite much popular crlti-
cism, because iis appropriations includ-
ed the cost Of foreign war No such
reason for approval exists today On the
contrary. the situation is without excuse
When President Arthur was In the
White House he deliberately sacrificed his
party popularity by ve;oing a River and
Harbor bill which only carried what now
would be considered the paltry sum of
eighteen million dollars We wonder if
hlr. Mckinley Will initiate SO worthy an
example Of devotion to duty in trying
circumstances. There is much talk in
Congressional and Administration circles
on this matter. The opinion seemed 10 be
strong in some directions yesterday that
unless the River and Harbor bill is cut
down almost if not quite one-haif, IT will
be'vetoed. We hope there may be coed
ground for such a prediction. MIR MeKin.-
leg is credited with desire to go cut of
Office at the end Of his second term With
claims on the country FOR remembrance as
one of The greatest and best Of American
Presidents. To endorse such fragrant
and impudent steal as the River and ffar-
Dor bill is in its present form would
hardly result in promoting that kind of
ambition.