The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-11-20
PRESIDENT HARRISON IS LEARNING
HOW 1T HAPPENED" NROM THE
CONGRESS MEN AS THEY
COME BACK.
Some Startling Figures in Pension Matters
A $7e,OoO,OoO Deficiency
Threatened Us.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Nov. Is, 1890.

house to see the president. AS eacf
had very interesting information t,
impart regarding the recent elections
indicating the causes Of defeat. Wheth
err the tariff bill, Farmers Alliance
School bill, Anti-Quayism, or Ton
Reed, the president must have beer
highly entertained, if not instructed
Among the early callers was Senate
Spooner, of Wisconsin, who stated il
conversation about his state, that ht
knew the Republicans were defeated
ten days before the election was held
The introduction of the religious ques
ton he regarded as suicidal to hi;
party, as many clergymen made ear
nest efforts to electioneer in behalf o.
the Democrats. Whole congregations
marched tie the polls to vote. The
cause of Senator Spooner's defeat was
undoubtedly due to the opposition Of
the Lutherans, Germans and other
foreign elements of his district to the
utterauces of the leading Republican
papers on the school question.
The Democrats are intensely inter.
ested in the selection OF a successor to
Mr.. Reed, for the result in '92 will
depend largely upon the manner in
which the large majority of the house
is handled. The Republicans believe
that if the Democrats only have
rope enough they will hang them
selves. Undoubtedly the Democrats
have The necessary length of rope in
their hands but it will not be used for
such suicidal act. Whoever is
elected speaker Of the Fifty-second con.
gress will have political advantage
not to be despised. In view of the
large number Of new members coming
into the next house, the leaders ale
planning the speakershlp contest SO
that the man best fitted for the place
shall be elected. Every move will be
made after careful thought and after
due consideration of its possible effect.
The Democrats realize that the situa.
ton is too grave, even after their over
whelming victory, to admit of expert
ments.
Secretary Window is having some
difficulty in preparing his estimates
for the coming session of congress.
Though the Mckinley tariff law went
into effect on Oct. 6 goods imported
before that date may be withdrawn
any time prior to the first of February
at the old rate of duty. 1t is difficult
to determine what the revenues under
the new law will be as the duties
under the old law come in with those
collected under the new. At present
the daily revenues exceed the daily
ordinary expenses, but there is no
means of estimating what the custom
revenues will be after Feb. l, 1t is
not improbable that the largely in
creased rates of duty in many in
stances will reduce importations and
therefore reduce the revenues. The
indications are that there will be some
very large deficiencies in appropria-
tions for this year to be provided for
at the next session.
The deficiencies on account of pen.
sions will be enormous. Up to date
there has been $64, 100000 drawn out
of the treasury for pensions since
July |.
About $l9,OOO,OOO of this sum was
drawn this month. 1t is estimated
that the expenditure for pensions
during the whole year will be from
$140,0 100000 to $150O00,0O0. 1t is
expected that the expenditure for the
first year will be more than estimated.
In fact, the expenditures for the first
quarter OF the year amounted to 3d.,
OOO,O This carried out for the four
quarters would make the expenditures
for the year $176,000,000, to meet
which less than 100000, 900 has been
appropriated. Meanwhile the num-
Der of pensions is steadily increasing
and the deficiency may be greater
than SIG 100000.
The rumor that Gen. Clarkson will
succeed Senator Quay as chairman Of
the Republican National committee
does not need the presence OF the for
mer gen tleman for its refutation. 1t is
not at all likely that Gen. Clarkson
will consent to wear Mr.. Quay's old
clothes, especially when the latter are
savory with the order of defeat. For
the next two years the national COM
mittee will be in more or less MORT
bund condition. Its work for the
present has been accomplished, and
until the next campaign begins there
will be no exigencies calling for I'M
usual energy, judgment or executive
ability. The craftsmanship of this
committee is just now an honor of
the emptiest kind, and Mr.. Clarkson
he desires to remain prominent in
tiles can find employment in po-
ons bringing more honor and more
ard.
he Farmers Alliances of this coun-