The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1901-02-06
A NEW ERA OF PROFLIGACY.
Without Excuse War Present Congress Will Expend Billion and
Half. Philippines Cost Ninety Millions Year.

regular annual estimates of appropria-
tions already made amount to $743, 474,-
804. These estimates are all too small.
For instance, the river and harbor
bill is put at S25, 100000, yet concealed
in suudry civil estimates is more than
$40, OOO,O 900 more for that purpose.
The estimate for the army is put
down at Sl13,000,0O0 Yet everybody
knows that this is far too small, and,
while that may be the sum total of the
appropriation made, it is believed that
congress is leaving legacy in the way
of deficiency in the army amounting
very nearly to the cost of the army be-
fore the Spanish war.
The regular army prior to 1898 cost
about S23, 100000. War department of
ficials now say that the cost of the new
establishment is likely to be at least
$3.50, 100000. They are even now try
ing to figure out the cost in the war
department.
PREPARING FOR DEFICIENCY.
| This increase will not be admitted
for the present. Yet it is known that
! deficiency estimates are now being pre-
pared calculated to take ones breath
away. The secretary of the treasury
transmitted to congress only last week
table of deficiency estimates so far as
received containing a deficiency in the
army pay department of $3,2l0,000 and
a deficiency in the quartermaster's de-
partment of 81 100000. am told that
the actual deficiency in the quarter
masters department will amount to
very nearly 100000 and this is al
legged to be due to the extraordinary
expenses in China.
The closest estimates as to what the
Philippines are costing the United
States are in the neighborhood OF $780,
600, 900, confined chiefly to the army
and navy.
The navy department in this list OF
! deficiencies submitted by the secretary
of the treasury has confessed to a
shortage of 81, 100000. | am told, how
eyer, that the total deficiency in the
navy for the year will not fall much
short of $5,000,000.
Owing to the trouble in China the
state department has been compelled
to largely exceed its appropriation. In
the deficiency estimates of Secretary
Gage, under the head of foreign inter-
course, are the items
To supply deficiency in the appro-
priation for contingent expenses, for
eign missions, for the fiscal year 1901
$4,000.
To supply deficiency in the appro-
priation for contingent expenses Unit
ed States consulates for the fiscal year
1901 $4,000.
To supply deficiency in the appro-
priation for emergencies arising in the
diplomatic and consular service for the
: fiscal year 1901 $4,000.
The total deficiency of the state de-
partment is 1884, 529, of which Sl50,OOO
is chargeable entirely to the Chinese
difficulty.
EXPENSES OF THE TREASURY.
The sum total of deficiencies sent in
by the secretary Of the treasury is Sill
256. O52.9S. In addition to the budget
about 100 different deficiency items
have already been filed with the house
committee on appropriations. They are
istill pouring in.
| The lowest estimate of the total de-
fciencies to be provided for by this
congress that has so far been heard is
$40, 900 600. Thus s3O,OOO,OO0 deficiency
plus S743, 100000 estimated appropria-
tions make S773, 0O,0O0 that is in sight
already to be charged against the last
session Of this congress. Add to the
former appropriations of $40, l5O,S62
made at the first session and you have
total of 81, 4S3, 10000.
Rat the record will not end there.
1 Washington is overrun by twenty or
thirty influences seeking to get appro-
priations for various schemes and en-
terprises.
The prediction is warranted that the
6fty-sixth congress will not only pass
/ the record of one and half billion dol
lars. but if quick check is not put on
will go soaring toward the one and
three.ouarter billion dollar mark.