The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-03-14
Republican ExtravaRance.

There are two strong reasons for think
ing that bill reiucing the tariff will not
be passed at this session of congress. One
is that the republicans cannot agree upon a
bill, and the other is that the republicans
propose TO pass bills that will not only use
up all the surplus, but will. in all proba-
bility, create deficiency. A few days ago
Representative Peters, of Kansas, made a
statement on the floor Of the House which
created a doubt whether the revenues
would meet the expenditures during the
next fiscal year. He is a republican and a
member of the committee on appropria-
tons, and would hardly have made state
ment of that kind if he had not been thor
oughly convinced of its accuracy, because
he knew that it would tend to injure his
party
day or two ago ex-Speaker Carlisle
said the outlook for deficiency in the next
fiscal year was very promising. The total
receipts from the revenues will be about
$685., OO0. 900, and the appropriations that
must be made, including those for rivers
and harbors, can hardly fall below that
amount. Indeed, it is thought by those who
are well informed that they will 60 much
above it.
1t is expected that the bill repeating the
limitations clause IN the law granting ar
rearages of pensions will require the pay
ment of SAT- 100000. The grand army
service pension bill also is on the calendar,
and if it should become law it would add
Sl44, 100000 to the pension burden. 1t is
proposed to give to ex-union veterans who
were confined in prison during the war
81 for every day of their imprisonment. If
this proposition should be carried into effect.
it would take $4,000. 600 out of the treasury
at once. The dependent pension bill is also
a popular measure, and if it were to become
a law it would require $50, 900 a year to
satisfy its requirements. There are several
other pension bills pending, the passage of
each of which would necessitate the pay
ment of very large sums.
In view of proposed legislation Of this
kind there does not seem to be much of a
chance for appropriations for coast de-
lenses, for new war ships or for subsidies TO
steamships In fact, one Of the reasons for
the growing hostility in congress to the
Blair educational bill is the want of money
to meet the financial obligations which it
would create.
OF course, all of the pending pension bills
will not be passed, but there is no doubt
that one or more Of them viii, and the con-
sequence viii be that congress will have TO
begin to think Of ways for increasing
instead Of reducing the revenues.
If the people could have a, chance to be
heard fully and fairly. they would doubt
less decide that there should be
halt in the granting of
pensions. Already the pension burden
amounts to S100,OOO,OOO a year. The Re-
publican party. however, is determined to
leave no means untried TO control tn SOL
der vote. That is a matter, in its estima-
ton, of far more consequence than an
economical administration of the govern
ment. 1t is willing to commit any extrav-
agance to retain power, and it may be
expected, therefore, that the appropriations
for the next fiscal year will exceed the
estimated revenues.