The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1888-08-24
washington Letter.
tfrom our regular correspondent.l

L RON our Lt5UIlL CDL1tsIoiAIAA-|
WASHINGTON. AUG. 90, 1888.
Senator Allison says the Treasury sur
plus is gone, at least that for the current
year is. 1t has been wiped out by the un-
usually large appropriations made by the
present Congress. This discovery is likely
to prove somewhat awkward for the tariff
reformers, and has created a veritable sem
sation here. An inquisitive genius, notlc-
ing the heavy appropriations for pensions,
public buildings, the river and harbor bills,
and other things, started in to do a little
figuring. First, he got the estimates of
the Treasury Department for the receipts
of the current fiscal year. Then he footed
up the appropriations already made and
those certain to be made by Congress. The
startling result was that there was no sur
plus for this year, or such a small one as
not to be worth noting. 1t seems strange
that such an important matter should ave
been overlooked until this time. 1t is like
ly to have a very important bearing on
many things. 1t makes it very doubtful
whether the Dependent pension bill will
get through the House, at either this or the
next session of the Fiftieth Congress, like
wise the Blair Educational bill; for the
passage by the House of either one o these
bills would create a big deficiency. And
last but by nc means least, it will have an
important bearing OF the pending cam
paign. If there is no Surplus no need can
exist for reducing taxation of any kind.
The politicians are all worked up about it,
and it may result in the Republicans of the
Senate abandoning their efforts to forum
late a substitute for the Mills bill. In the
meantime let everybody keep cool, and be
patient during this warm weather. Sena-
-. tIf.oo, ;A ~ t-S,r ,rA ~ oAsaiol cta fa
ment that may put a different face on the
matter. =
The Republican Senators are still at
work on the substitute for the Mills bill,
although it is said that Mr.. Blaine is en-
.deayoring to get them to abandon the idea
entirely, but the most prominent members
of the finance committee say that it is not
true, and that they are going right ahead
with their bill, which they propose to dis
cuss and pass before adjourning. They
claim, too, that their substitute will be ac-
eepted by the House; that at least twenty
democrats will vote with the republicans of
House for the substitute. Perhaps
they will and perhaps they will not. Time
only can tell.
There are many rumors here that Mr..
Cleveland is dissatisfied with the manage
ment of Chairman Brice of the democratic
national executive committee, and wants
him to resign. Col. Lamont says these re-
ports are false, but still they aie repeated
and details entered into by theg ossipers.
The House committee on expenditures in
the Treasury Department, to whom was
referred the bill providing for the printing
of Government securities in the highest
style of art, have made their report. 1t
amends the bill so as to provide that all
Government securities, bonds, notes, and
internal revenue stamps shall be printed in
the highest style of plate printing, from
hand roller presses. 1t also changes the
law, so as to require that the Chief of the
Bureau Of Engraving and Printing shall
be a practical engraver or plate printer.
Joint discussions seem to be growing in
favor again. Representatives IIoyey and
Matson, rival candidates for governor of
Indiana, have agreed to a joint canvass,
and now it is proposed that Speaker Car
Isle challenge Mr.. Blaine for a joint dis
cussion of the tariff, each TO make twelve
speeches in as many prominent cities. Mr..
Carlisle has already expressed his willing
ness, aud il is believed that the arrange
ment will be agreeable to Mr.. Blaine. The
speeches will certainly draw large crowds,
and the people will be well repaid for at
tending, IL the arrangement can be carried
out.
Secretary Endicott has gone TO Massa-
chusetts for two weeks.
WESTON.