The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-03-09
NEWS AND GOSSIP
 FROM WASHINGTON
Representative LNngstons Tabular Appropriations Democrats Rallied Toward Close of CongreSS-The
 Next SeSSion-The New Senators
BY PATTERSON srEALEY.


 Washington, March S-(speeial.) )-Rep- resentative Livingston of Georgia. the ranking democrat on the house appro- priations committee, in a statement says:
 ''I submit herewith a tabular statement showing the appropriations for the fiscal years 1895 and 1896, made by the Fifty third congress which was controlled in both of Its branches by the democratic party and during Mr. Clevelands admin istratlon of the government and the ap- propriations made by the Fifty-seventh congress, just closing. for the fiscal years 1903 and 1904. The latter contrasted with the former bears upon Its face it's own criticism.
 During the first period named, the total of appropriations amounted to only sasa 2ss 2o5. S. while for the latter period they reached the astonishing total Of sl.- 554 los. .514.s4; and. adding thereto the con- tract obligations in excess of appropria- tions made namely. s2s2. I'll. 4G5. authorized at the first session of this congress. to- gether with approximately s35OO0, ,oo0 au- thorized during the second session just. |. closing we have a sum exceeding N.- $50. .oOO.000. or dangerously close to the two billion dollar mark for . single con- gross.
 'I will not undertake to analyze figures as they appear in this table. but will content myself with calling attention to only a few of the salient facts develop ed therein. During the Fifty-third con- gross, the total appropriations for the mil far aIxrsa1 aF f1a eraF ernment, not including those for pensions or for the maintenance of soldiers homes, aggregates $106 791, .04, or a little more than one-tenth of the whole appropria- tions made. During the Fifty-seventh congress. which made appropriations for the current and for the coming fiscal year, the sums devoted to these objects amounted to s94S,s7O, s11, or more than three times what these necessary branches of our public service cost under democratic legislation and administra- tion, and more than one-fourth of all of the appropriations for the two years
 "The legislative executive and judi clal appropriation bill which provides substantially for the civil list of the gov ernment has increased over and above the amounts that were found sufficient during the fiscal years of 1895 and 1S96 by more than S9000,000.
 "The deficiencies which this congress has seen fit to make up in appropriations for the republican administration are more than double those which resulted during the administration of the govern ment in 1895 and 1896.
 "The miscellaneous acts carrying appro- priations during the Fifty-third congress amounted to less than million dollars, while those of this congress will probably foot up to not less than S6oOO,O00.
 'The permanent annual appropriations which provide chiefly for the interest on the annual debt and for the requirements of the sinking fund, have been increased more than sS0,OO00O0.
 Nothing short of a revision of the tariff on a revenue basis and the adminis- tration of the government under the wise and prudent methods of the democratic party can el5e lookedito to bring about reduction in the national expenditures. exhibited by these figures in such ap- palling proportions"
 Pensions Are Increased.
 Through the efforts of Senator Bate and Senator Gallinger chairman of the pensions committee, bill was passed in the congress just adjourned increasing the pension of Mexican war veterans from $S to SIP a month. This bill has been pend ing for fifteen years. Senator Bate Is the only Mexican war veteran in congress. Senator Pettus of Alabama, joined a com pany to participate in the Mexican war, but never reached the scene of action.
 There is now an unexpended approprla- ton of $77O0O for the payment of con federate veterans, who were deprived of their horses and side arms contrary to the terms of the surrender. Senator Bate secured an amendment to the deficiency bill appropriating $50,00o for this purpose At the previous session $50,0O0 was appro- priated and of this amount S23.000 has been distributed. leaving a total balance of $77,OOO still to be paid out when the claims are proved.
 The Democrats Rallied.
 During the last few days of congress the democrats showed an unmstakable sign of throwing off the humble attitude that they had assumed almost during the whole of the session It had reached such a point of listlessness in the demo- cratic ranks that whenever democrat arose to say anything before congress he was the subject of a laugh on the re- publican side and a smile in the gal leries The democrats appeared to be cowed and whipped into moody silence.
 But on the last roundup there was a perceptible rally that will doubtless be continued al the next session of con gross. The democrats showed to the re- puDllCanS mat they cOnlu uO something to block their game, and gave open re. sentiment to the arbitrary rules that had been adopted The unseating of Butler of Missouri, who was busted, although the journal showed that quorum was not present, was the ostensible cause of the filibuster. or whatever 1t might be called. As a matter of fact the democrats did not care as much about Butler as they were opposed to the high way, in which the republicans were running things. Legislation was being pushed through under the most arbitrary rules, brought in by the republican committee on rules. Notwithstanding these rules, the democrats showed that they can make a lot of trouble for the gentlemen on the other side of the chamber. when they have made their minds up to do so
 The Next Congress.
 The next congress will be right on the eve of Presidential campaign, and the proceedings will therefore, be of very interesting nature.
 John Sharpe Williams of Mississippi will doubtless be the floor leader Of the democrats, and if he Is, the iniquities of the republican party will not go unchal- lenged.
 There is division among the repub- licans as to the wisdom of bringing insar- bitrary rules and railroading legislation through under them. These republicans see that no good can come to their party