The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-04-18
BRITAIN'S BUDGET.
Excess of Revenues and Expenditures
over the Estimates.

LONDON, April 17.-Mr. GoSchen, chan
cellor of the exchequer, presented the
budget in the House of Commons to-day.
1t shows that tho expenses exceeded
the estimates by 1000, and that
the receipts exceeded the estimates
by over $4,000, 900. The duty on alco-
holic beverages realized over $4,000, 600
The beer duty exceeded the estimates by
e270,O00. The duty on foreign spir-
its exceeded the estimates by e412, 600;
on home spirits by 9l,l10,000, and on
alcoholic beverages, both foreign and
domestic, exceeded the estimates by e1 ,S00,-
0JO. The duties on coffee, cocoa and chicory
showed a decrease of 9l7,500, while the
duties on tea showed an increase Of R40, 900.
ToAsTING THE NATIONAL PROSPERITY.
Commenting on the gross revenue from
alcoholic beverages, COS, ,265, ,000, Mr.. .Cioschen
said that the figures showed a universal
rush to the beer barrel, the spirit bottle
and the wine decanter. Everybody seemed
bent on toasting the national prosperity aud
increasing revenue 1t was circumstance
that must he dsplored. Closer examination
largest increase had been, of all
spirits in the world, from rum.
Laughter. He had taken pains to
discover who drank rum. 1t was drunk
mainly at seapoIts. The increase from rum
had been IL per cent, from British spirits
per cent, from wine 10 per cent, from beer
4 per cent, from brandy 6 per cent. In
1888 the number of drains taken reached
245, 900 900, in 1889 275, 100000. 1t was an
extraordinary historical fact that in the
years 1875 and 1876 the greatest drinking
years recorded, there wes precisely the
same proportion of revenue from the differ
ent spirits. The increased prosperity, there
FORE meant great increase in the consump-
tion of alcoholic drinks.
The postal receipts exceeded estimates by
100000. The revenue from telegraphs
exceeded estimates by 100000. The exact
surplus reached 93, 100000.
REDUCTION OF THE DEBT.
He said he was glad to give good ac-
count of the continued reduction of the
national debt, which. during the last three
years, had been diminished by leaps and
bounds The total reduction for 1889
reached the sum of 9S, ,295,O 900. This amount,
added to the reductions OF the previous two
years, made a grani total of g23 ,323, 900.
This amount was the largest ever paid in
the reduction OF the debt during the same
length of time.
After explaining the result of the CONVEX
sion of 3 per cents. MIR. Goschon referred
to the calling in of prev Victorian gold coin,
2, 170,000 sov9rsigns and 314, 900 half SOW
ereigus having come in for re-minting.
There had bsen windfall of era coo during
tho year from the profit ol circulation.
Silver would be utilized to mest deficit
from light gold CON.
Proceeding to estimate for the coming
year, he estimated that there would be an
expenditure of eS6, ,S57 900, and revenue Of
G90, ,4O6, 900. As to the disposal of the sur
plus of e3,549,000, he said he proposed to
alot $500, 900 to military barracks, and 10
devote e100, 900 to the equipment of volun-
teers. The Indian and colonial postage rate
will be reduced to two pence half penny by
any route. The apprentice agreement would
be reduced to half crown, and the stamp
on health insurance policies would be abol-
ished.
REDUCTION OF THE TEA DUTY.
Tipplers, who had largely produced the
surplus, would have a chance to redeem
themselves, owing to the reduction of the
tea duty by twopence per pound. [Cheers.
He said he was opposed to the total abolition
of the tea duty, because it was the
and non-drinker could contribute
to the revenue. Tho next duty on currants
would be reduced from to 2 shillings per
hundred weight The increased duty tenn
porarily imposed in 1889 would be taken off.
The Inhabited house duty would be re-
duced, and all working class tenements
under G20 rental would be exempt from the
house tax. [Cheers.1
Turning from the imperial to local finance,
he proposed to raise revenue for
county council purposes by an in
creased duty of 8 pence per gallon
on spirits and 3 pence per barrel on beer.
E, Hear. hearln and 80, on This would
yield 81 l,005, 600 He hoped the friends of
temperance would be satisfied and that the
publicans would take broad view of the
question.
In concluding Mr.. Goschen said he trusted
that the budget would be recognized as an
endeavor to afford relief in various direc-
tions without resorting to violent measures
He spoke three hours.
Sir William Vernon Harcourt congratu-
lated Mr.. Goschen upon the country's salts
factory financial prospect.
FREE EDUCATION.
In reply to Mr.. Mundela's complaint that
nothing had been done for the cause of free
education Mr. Goschen promised that the
subject would be dealt with at the next
session. There was no likelihood, as the
member had suggested. of a general election
being held before that, and in framing the
present budget he had kept the
see way to obtaining $500, 900 for the pur-
pose. He hoped also before he left office TO
deal with the currency question, but he
would reserve his opinion regarding the
issue of pound notes. He replied in detail
to other criticisms, and announced that the
reduction Of the duty on tea would take
effect May 1.
Mr.. Labouchere said that Mr.. Goschen
tried to please everybody, and would satisfy
nobody.
Mr.. Nolan said it was model election
eeriug budget.
Mr.. Sexton said that gross injustice had
been done to Ireland, and the Parnellites
would resist the governments proposal by
every means in their power
Formal resolutions were adopted author
izing the proposed increase of duties. Glad
stonlans, discussing the budget in the lobby,
called it the ''dissolution budget"
A POPULAR BUDGET.
The Times thinks that reduction of the
income tax would have been preferable TO a
reduction of the duty on tea, but it says
that on the whole, Mr.. Goschen has made a
most interesting and popular revision Of
taxation. tie has not only produced pop
ular budget, but has foreshadowed another,
and this ought to silence the ridiculous
rumors Of coming dissolution of parliament.
Suicided Because of Dire Poverty.
Moscow, April IA sad tragedy, re-
sulting from extreme poverty, was enacted
in this city to-day. The widow of an army
officer, in dire want, became discouraged.
She and her five daughters locked them