Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1893-12-28
THE TREASURY.
Secretary Carlisle's Experimentation of
the National Finances-Reforms Urged.

delayed and long expected by business
men, was sent to both houses to-day.
The following general topics: 'Condi-
of Treasury" Currency Legislation"
and Review of the Revenue Laws, :"
are discussed at length.
In opening the secretary says: ''Dur-
ing the first five months of the present
fiscal year the expenditures of the gov
ernment have exceeded receipts to the
amount of $40, ,91S, 095. 66. There has
been not only decrease of receipts
but also an increase of expenditures
during this period, as compared with
the corresponding five months of the
last fiscal year. The revenues from
customs have fallen off S23, $50, S29. "a:
from internal taxes. 81, S66, ,667.96. and
from miscellaneous receipts, 1924, 152. So
The expenditures on account of the
war department in the execution of
contracts made during the last fs-
cal year have increased Sc, 1862, 132.-
42; on account of the navy depart
ment for the same reason the increase
has been $1.912, 2s9. 81; on account of
Indians, s536. 07s.55, and on account of
interest, 500, 450.2 25; but there have
been reductions in some other branches
of the service to the amount of Sc, 352, :
2G6 as compared with the correspond
ing period last year. The result of
these changes is that on the first day
of December, 1898. the actual net bal
ance in the treasury, after deducting
the bank note per cent. redemption
fund, outstanding drafts and checks,
disbursing officers balances, agency
accounts and the gold reserve, was
only S11,O3S, 1925, and the total
amount held, S12, 347. SIT. so, was in sub
sidiary silver and minor coins.
'.It may be safely assumed that the
worst effects of the recent financial
disturbance and consequent business
depression have been realized, and that
the conditions will be much more ia
vorable hereafter for the collection of
an adequate revenue for the support of
the government; but it can scarcely be
expected that the receipts during the re-
mainder of the fiscal year will exceed the
expenditures for the same time to such
an extent as to prevent very consid-
erable deficiency. / have, therefore,
estimated probable deficiency of $685.
600, 600 at the close of the year and if
congress concurs in this view of the
Il
to make provision for raising that
amount as soon as practicable"
Reviewing the receipts and expendi-
lures for the fiscal year 1898 the secre-
tary says the governments revenues
from all sources for the year were s461,-
ZIG, sol. o. of which s2O3, 355, 016. 70 was
from customs and s161, ,O27, ,832. 65 from
internal revenue. The total expendi-
ture was s459, ,374, S87.65, leaving sur
plus of 81, 341, ,674.29. AS compared
with 1892, this shows an increase in
receipts of S35, s4S, 3O1.72, and in
expenditures of s3S, 454 623.21. On
the basis of existing laws the
revenues of the government for the
present fiscal year are estimated at
S43O, 12t, 365 3S and the total expendit-
ures at s45S, III, ,365 30, or a deficit of
S28, 900, 600. The principal items in
these estimated revenues are: From
customs, S175 O00, 900. and from inter-
nal revenue, $3.50, 900, 900. while $780,
600, 900 for pensions constitutes the
largest item in the estimated eXpendit
ures. 1t is estimated that On the basis
of existing laws the government rev.
enues for the fiscal year 1895 will te
S454, 427, 74S. "A. The estimates of ap-
preparations heretofore submitted for
the year aggregate S44S, BOG, $50. 81. or
an estimated surplus of S66, 120, 95S Sc.
Discussing foreign commerce the
secretary says the total imports were
for 1892: Merchandise. ss21, ,4of. 1862;
gold, s49, 800, 454; silver. si9, $50, ,0S6; ex-
ports, mercha ndise. 81. 030. .27S, 14S: gold,
$50. 1875, 327; silver, s32, $40, 59--For 1898
Imports. merchandise, 1865, 400, 922;
gold. sci. ia, 3sl; silver, s23 1913, ,272; ex-
ports, merchandise, ss47, 665. 1914: gold,
s1OS, $50, S44; silver, $40. 1888 The
prominent facts disclosed by these fig
ures, says the report, are
that the values of imports of mer-
chandise attained the highest point
tory of the country; and that the ex-
ports of gold reached a higher figure
than ever before in single year since
the foundation of the government.
This outward movement of gold. occur
ring at time of peace, will make 1898
memorable in financial and commercial
experience. The imports and exports
of silver coin and bullion were greater
in amount than is recorded in any one
year of the country's history-exceed-
ing even the panic year of '73.
The secretary says economy and good
administra ton in the collections of
customs revenue would be promoted by
confning customs duties in the interior
to the commercial centers. He reeom=
mends that the law be so amended as
to authorize him to reduce the number
of customs districts whenever he thinks
it to the interest of the service, and
that he be authorized. where commerce
justifies it, to station officers to enter
aud clear vessels
In addition to the matters more inn
mediately pertaining to his Office. Seq
retary Carlisle goes extensively into
the tariff question in its bearing on
the treasury. He says also that there
is too much money in the country and
that the present complicated fnanci al
system is in urgent need of revision.
He advises the Issue of bonds at a low
rate OF interest to tide the treasury
over the hard times and treats on many
things that have been debated in and
out ef congress for some time past
Injured by Torpedo Explosion.
CoLUABEs, Ga, Dec 26.-A terrific
explosion was occasioned by someone
throwing sand torpedo under large
torpedo loaded with fireworks John