The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1893-02-10
FOSTERS FALsIFIcATIoN.

Secretary Foster's report on the condition
OF the treasury, made in answer to th,
questions of the ways and means committed
hardly ful6lls the expectations entertained
respecting it. 1t was expected to be ar
ingenious piece of Justification. 1t is O
very clumsy one Instead, as will appear
upon analysis.
In his FIRST table, purporting 10 show
receipts and expenditures for the first six
months of the fiscal year, he figures out a
net cash" balance Of si29. .092, ,5Ss 90 in
the treasury on December 3ist, 1892, in :
cluding the gold reserve, which is not part
OF the net cash balance at all, but trust
fund completely covered by liability.
Dedueting it,the statement shows balance
In the treasury Of s29. .032 $500.
Ibis Is in exact accordance with the
showing made in the December debt state
ment, but it is not in accordance with the
facts, as Mr. Fosters own tables reveal.
In another table he shows that the gov
ernment is under contract liabilities
amounting TO se5. .47S, ,sSs. .65. or sSs, ,sa.-
345.45 more than the total so.caIled met
net cash balance" exclusive Of the gold
reserve.
Of these contrac. liabilities, according to
Mr. Fosters showing, go, ,256, ,39s. .O4 must
be met during the present fiscal year,
which OF Itself very nearly wipes out the
alleged met cash balance Added to al
this there are other expenditures author
lied by law, but not vet appropriated for"
amounting TO So. .22l 5000.
In the light Of these figures furnished by
Mr Foster himself, ii is seen at glance
that the debt statements for months past
have been the iuggieries Of bookkespers set
to make false showing. and that so far
from having balance Of nearly 81. .O0o. 900
10 the good. there Is actually great de-
ticiency in the treasury.
II Is in still other tables, however. that
by bit Of clumsiness Mr. Foster reveals bis
methods Of making that appear which be
wishes to appear.
Figoring out the probable condition of
the treasury at the cad Of this fscal year
dune S0th next. Mr. Foster has selected the
Insignificant amount Of s2 900 600 a. the
balance tina; will be then in The treasury Of
this great government This Is the exact
amount he fxed upon in his annual report
But in his annual repori he estimated the
pension expenditures a: si5s. .00o, 900. They
have been increased by later estimates TO
slsi .'S55, 900, and Mr. Foster puts them at
that hgure in his present statement.
But this would wipe out his estimated
balance of g., oU0. 900 and !eave deficiency
instead; 50. like the dishonest bookkseper
who adds TO che side Of an account the
enact sum Necessary 10 cover up change
On the other, he increases his estimate Of
internal revenue receipts By precisely ths
amount Of the increase in pension eIpendi-
lures. raising i; from sIea .0o0, ,0oO in hi.
annual report to sl6s. .SS5, 900 in the present
statement
Thsre is absolutely nothing upoa which
TO base this increased estimate, and the
clumsy hlunder of making the increase
coincide TO dollar With the amount added
10 pension expenditures reveals The shallow
trick by which the secretary figures out
exactly the balance previously determined
upon.
The reckless squandcring of the Billion
Dollar congress and the wasteful manage
ment Of the administration have reduced
the treasury to sore straits which il is the
secEesary's task TO conceal il possible until
the term Of republican mi.rule ends
He has not been ucsssful in doing it.
The surplus is gone. The liabilities Of the
treasury are greatly in excess Of its assets.
The enormous revenues hare been spent.
The revenues Of the future ass heavily
mor;gaged- These are the result. attained
by four years Of Harrisonism. McKinley-
ism and Raumism.
The first concern Of democratic admin
islrailon and congress must be to re.tors
the treasury to condition Of inancial
soundness.