New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-08-23
no COMFORT FOR premier MILLS
rHE STATE OF THE srRrLrs pIsCoUeAGEMENT

Washington, Aug. 90 (speciaD.-Mr. Mills obtained
his figures to the state Of the surplus from the Treas
ury Department last night but they did not yield HIM
q ray of comfort and he left town again this morning
The statement perfectly fair ono as, OF course
expcc be- but any event there was no room
for thing elsc and amply confirms the statements
prepared by the clerks Of appropriations and sub
mitted to MIR. Carlisle.
Estimated surplus &cG,95O $780, says the Treas
ury, based on House appropriations
That Is, assuming that tho Senate surrenders its
functions as coordinate branch Of the National Legs
ature, the surplus Will como within two millions
Of being half large as that predicted by tho
Secretary In his annual report But says the Treas
ury, ESTIMATED surplus based on Senate aprropra-
tons, sI4,6932l0" or almost exactly onc-quartor
the secretarys estimate and rather less than that OF
the clerks Of appropriations.
II IS expected that the news will reach Mr. Thurman
By the time he has completed his present tour.
Mr.. Beck has to-day introduced two propositions
for the repeal OF tho sinking fund law. There must
I've a surplus, even Il the Government has TO stop
paying debts TO make No Democrat in Congress
ventures to Impeach the statements that the surplus
Is Vanishing. and hint is heard that the fact IS
due 20 Republican extravaganza. Such claim
advanced in the presence of who are in possession
OF the facts would lead TO disaster. Yet 1t is well
worth while examine the matter little in detail
with view Of placing the responsibility where IL
belongs.
Out Of a total Of four hundred and twenty five
millions the senate confesses a responsibility Tor
eighteen millions Of net increases the House
having passed or reported Its bills bearing
amounts which foot up more than four hundred mill
ions, less the permanent appropriations. The Sell
ate increase is made up in chief part as follows ;
Nearly one ard half million the Pension bill, or
account Of payments to widows from the date OF the
husbands death. provision which was made by the
House. but for which Il failed make the necessary
| appropriation one and half millions TO the postal
service By OF limiting the hours OF letter car
riers, and for foreign mail transportation $4,000
to the Naval bill, mainly for q new vessel for the
Naval Academy 800 600 TO the Agricultural bill for
sorghum sugar experiments and experimental grass
stations So 500 900 the Army bill for gun factory
for the purchase Of cannon and OF steel ard Tor tor
pcdocs and other supplies; ss5oOoo for street and
other improvements in the District OF Columbia
5000 900 the Legislative bill for the new Depart
mcnt Of Labor. the minis and the Pension once
SIS 900 900 the Sundry Civil bill for public build
ings already authorized by law lighthouses, the library
Of Congress, military posts, National homes public
printing etc two and half millions for rivers and
harbors.
These items are all defensble grounds Of public
| economy and wise legislation, and the Democrats
Of the Senate have borne their share OF the RESPONSE
bility for thom To venture briefly IN further detail
for the purpose OF ulustratcn, inc senate
! Of two and a half millions on the River and Harbor
bill comprises improvements at Washington. Phila-
dephia Baltimore, Savannah. Oakland Mount Desert
Buffalo, Charlotte, Tampa bay, Yaquina Bay. Cow
anus Bay and for the following rivers Missouri
| Cape Fear, Ohio, Columbia, kenncbec, Greai
! .anawha names PenObscot, Pawtuchet. HOusatonlc,
| Roanoke and the lower willamette. These items ag
gregate So 800 600, and there is not one which
| will not be recognized as Of National Importance
The statement is sobery put forth that not mo c
| an
| expended during the fiscal year. How trustworthy
It is may be judged f1om the fact that the Secretary
II War, IN sumttting the estmaes for
tho year, submitted at w., the -. sane Tn time
TO the efeot that the amount that be pruhably
expended In the next fiscal year Is s4o.o41 Soc
| The sharpest paDgs in connection with the rehec
tions Of Democratic leaders upon the collapse OF the
party is due TO the fact thai Mr.. Randall warned
hts fellow Democrats that the appropriations would Ger
tainy away with them II the bills were laker
from one and given TO several different committees
OF the House. and that in public debate he predicted
that the threatening surplus. about which they were
making much noise would disappear before the
END of the fiscal year