Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-03-07
THE LAST CONGRESS
Two Statements as to the Apnropria-
lions Made.
MR.. CANNON'S CAREFUL ANALYSIS
He Shows the Amount Less Than
the Preceding Congress.
THE MIN DIRTY VIEW

The reorganization of the appropriations
Of the Congress places the total of the two
sessions at 81 ,440, 062, 545.
Mr.. Cannon. chairman of the appropria-
tons committee, made the analysis from
the points of view of the majority. Mr..
Livingston of Georgia makes an analysis
for the minority.
In his statement Mr.. Cannon says: The
appropriations of the session just closing
aggregate, as nearly as can be ascertained
at this time s729 81 6s3. This sum includes
s123. 1872 6Ss for the postal service and $53,-
600, 600 for the sinking fund.
The increase over the appropriations made
at the first session of this Congress is less
than 10000. 600; and this sum Is more than
accounted for by the increase of $40, 124, $50
made on account of the postal service, and
by $13.513.057 in the bill that provides for
the maintenance of our naval establish
ment, and for the construction. armor and
armament of the new ships Of the navy.
One large item is the appropriation of So
900 authorized by legislation at the first
session of this Congress for the st. Louis
exposition.
Less Than the Preceding Congress-.
The total appropriations made at the two
sessions of this the Fifty-sixth Congress
are $12s,150.092 less than the Al Jropria-
lions made during the two regular sessions
of the preceding Congress.
The new revenue law passed at this ses-
sion will, it is estimated, reduce taxes for
the coming fiscal year Sal 100000, bringing
out total estimated income for the coming
year. including postal revenues, to $780,
633,042
OF the total appropriations made at this
session at least $50. 600. 900 will not. in the
light of past experience, be expended. This
considerable margin between actual ex-
penditures and appropriations made by
Congress indicates a sum total of expendi-
lures during the fiscal year 1902 of not
ceeding 1893. 81 ,6S3.07. This sum includes
So3,O00OOO on account Of the sinking fund
requirements for the fiscal year 1902,
which, Of course, under the terms of the
law, will be met only to such extent as
surplus revenues in the treasury may per-
init. After meeting the fullest ordinary
requirements of the public service under
the appropriations which have been made
there will surely remain sufficient revenue
for 1902 to meet not less than $50 5000
of the requirements of the sinking fund.
The large deficiencies provided for dur
ing the fiscal year 1850 by the first regular
session of the Fifty-sixth Congress,
| amounting to $349, 7723s9. were almost in
their entirety to cover the expenses of the
military and naval establishments during
the fiscal years 1899 and 1900, incident to
the war with Spain.
The most marked increase indicated in the
appropriations for ordinary expenses of the
government made for the two years, 1901
and 1902 at the two sessions of this Con-
sress over those of the TWO preceding years.
1899 and 1900, provided for by the Fifty
fifth Congress, is for the postal service.
The necessity of these increased appropria-
lions to meet larger business demands Is
referred to as Cause for congratulation.
The appropriations have been reduced $128.
150091 by this Congress. under those pro-
vded for by its predecessor, and this has
rendered possible reduction of taxes in
the sum of SAL 100000
With a continuance Of the wise admins
ira ton enjoyed by the country, there is
every reason to anticipate a further reduc
ton of public expenditures in the near flu
ture and corresponding further reduction
of taxes
The Minority's Statement.
Mr.. Livingston says: The Fifty-fourth
Congress was the las. enc that made ap-
preparations for the support of the govern
ment prior to- the beginning Of the Spanish
American war.
The Fifty-sixth Congress is the first Con-
gress appropriating for the support Of the
government since the close of the so-caled
Spanish-American war. The difference be-
tween the appropriations made by the Fifty
sixth Congress and those made by the Fifty
fourth Congress amounts to SSS3, 4S22l2
During the session just closed the de-
mands of the people through their repre-
sentatives, for the construction of the Mica
ragua canal. have gone unheaded for new
public buildings they have been persstently
denied. The river and harbor bill has been
permitted to fail. The payment of just
claims of honest people against the govern
ment has not been provided for.
1t Is doubtless conceived to be wisdom on
the part of the leadership of the dominant
party in Congress and the administration
10 have denied these just demands of the
people In order to provide for this enormous
increase in expenditures tina. 1t almost
wholly required In order to support the in
cd military establishment that has
been inaugurated under the policy OF the
republican party.
Notwithstanding the heavy taxation Of the
people, and the enormous sums that are
collected each year to be poured in the
federal treasury, the public works and in
ternai improvements of every character
throughout the country have practically
been denied by this Congress.
The most casual examination Of this table
makes comment practically unnecessary.
1t shows that the army for each of the two
years prior to the Spanish-AmeHcan war
cost little over $4,000 600. and but little
more than $46.0O0.OOO for the two years
| covered by the Fifty-fourth Congress.
while for the army for each of the two
years since that war, 1901 and 1902, 1t costs
nearly S115. 900 COCO. or SO $4,000, 600 for the
two years, exclusive of deficiencies that have
been provided for IN large sums out Of ap-
ish war during the Fifty-fifth Congress.
The navy cost for the two years 1897
1893, 500. 1862 600, while the years 1901 and
$144 GOO CO.,
For the payment of pensions the appro-
| priations show an increase Of nearly $780,
600 for the two years.
In a word, this table shows that the price
of the people of the policy of this admins
tration that has been thrust upon them by
the republican party IS In round numbers
S4GOOOO,OOO within a period of two years.
and the half that is contemplated has not
yet been put in operation.
The ship subsidy measure. that has been
deferred, but not abandoned. will cost
$1SOOO0.OOO more. to say nothing of the
lesser schemes that are proposed
PARTITION OF CHINA BEGINS.