The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-04-24
ENGLAND's BUDGET.
An Excsss OF e1,7eo.ooo Over the Ex-
CESS SurraetA adj hV Clnechnn

cess Suggested by Goschen.
LONDON, April 23.-The budget was sub
mitted to the House of Commons this after
noon by Mr.. Goschen, chancellor Of the
exchequer. Mr.. Goschen said that there
was an excess OF 81, 200, 900 over the surplus
which he suggested In 1890. lie added,
however, that there was no certainty that
the progressive increase would be main
tanned, as the needs of Ireland had increased
the expenditures by R200,000.
EXPENDITURES OF THE PosToFFICE
Mr.. Goschen said that the expenditures
of the postoffice exceeded the estimates by
OO0OO, most of which was due 20 increase
In wages paid TO postofflce employees. The gov
ernment did not believe, he said, that the
cheapest labor was the best. [Cheers Mr..
Goschen said that e90o, 900 OF surplus arese
from internal revenue duty ON alcoholic
spirits.
There had been an increase iu consump-
tion during the year Of 100000 gallons Of
homemade spirits.
Tobacco, said Mr.. Goshen, had given an
increase Of e456,000 and beer had given an
increase OF 1875, 900.
REDUCTION OF THE DEBT.
Referring to the reduction OF the national
debt, Mr.. Goschen said that, taking into
consideration the diminished liabilities on
termtnable aunuites, the net reduction dur
ing the year was E6, $4,000, making a total
reduction Of over 430000,000 during the
time the present administration had
been In office. [Cheers.l Mr.. Goschen then
reminded the House that, at the same time,
the yearly charge for the debt had been
lowered from 42S, ,000, 900 TO E25, 200, 900.
He had some times been twitted in regard
to the lower price of the consols. This was
due not only to their conversion, but to the
large sale OF consols during the present year.
arising from the exlgencies OF financial
houses and from the Investment OF many
trust funds in less patriotic securities.
Laughter
THE DUTIES ON ALCOHOL.
Abiding to the increase in the duties on
alcohol Mr.. Goschen repudiated the idea
that the government was pledged to carry
out the scheme of purchase of public house
licenses. IL 1t raised duties instead of buy
ing licenses the money would be- assigned 70
an exoelleut purpose, that OF technical edu-
cation. 1t would be doubtful boon to take
off penny on the barrel duty on beer and
two pence gallon Off spirits; therefore the
government had determined that there
should be no reduction. [Hear, hear
In regard TO the accounts for the coming
year, Mr.. Goschen estimated that the reve-
nue. would amount to 600, ,4S0, 900, and that
the expenditures would ba G6S, 40 900. The
expenditures, continued Mr.. Goschen, had
been augmented by Irish relief works. the
census and dockyHrd building. Considering
the increased cost of arlpaments and the
heavy burden on the taxpayer, he held
that call ought TO be made upon the colo
nies for further contributions to the fund
for the imperial defense.
DISTRIBUTION OF THE SURPLUS.
He proposed to apply most of the years.
surplus to free education [cheersl, thus re-
deeming the pledges of the government In
an ungrudging spirit. Two million pounds
would be absorbed by free education, If
fully applied, but as the system would only
be introduced In September only one. half
OF the amount named would be necessary
for this financial year. OF the remaining
surplus Of 100000 he propo3ed to apply
450O,0O0 to the construction of barracks and
94O0,OOO TO the withdrawal Of light gold
from circulation. Mr.. Goschen said that
the time for the production of the educa-
tional bill would depend upon the progress
of the land bill. There would be- no delay
on the part of the government. A member
here asked il school fees would be abolished
In Ireland. Mr. Goschen declined to make
an absolute pledge in that respect, but said
portion OF the money would certainly be
assigned to Ireland.
The liberal leaders withhold criticism on
the free education project. For the first
time in many years there has been no
change in taxation, yet the budget is fairly
we'll received. The Gladstonians cannot
oppose free education; they will merely
raise fight on the question Of popular CON
troll Of church schools.
POPULAR CONTROL.
1t Is stated that the free education bill
will provide for an element of popular con-
troll Of voluntary schools by a system of
elected representation from among the pa
rents and rate-payers, combined with the
existing managers. The liberal leaders are
expected TO insist upon tho founding OF a
universal school board on the ground that
state payment Of school fees without popu-
lar control would be vast indirect endow-
ment of the church. Some Of the conserva
tives are hostile to free education, but
their attitude in the matter Is of less
concern to the government than tine difficult
religious question. The bill will have good
effect in the rural electorates. Many tele-
grams have been sent from the lobby of the
House OF Commons, warning the various
political agents to prepare for an early disso-
luton Of parliament.