The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-02-10
A CHARACTERISTIC GAME.

We read that the cause Of the increase
in the public debt last month was due to
the unusual increase In disbursements
which were larger by about $4,000 than
In January last year. while the receipts
were S35, 200, 900, and more than any other
month of the fiscal year. The amount
received at the custom houses was ST.
100. 900. and the internal revenue receipts
were more than sl2OOO.OOo, or about 100000
over those in January. 1892 The disburse-
ments, however, amounted to $50. $4,000.
against So, 1868 900 in January last year,
an increase Of s3.6os.ooo. The greatest
increase was s2,50O,OOO on account of pen
sions, but the ordinary expenditures were
nearly sl.30O.OOo greater than they were
a year ago. The total disbursements ex-
ceeded the receipts by more than $1,000
900.
We read further that during the seven
expired months Of the fiscal year the re-
seipts amounted to s23l, O6i,OO0, against
100000. But the expenditures were 1894.
$4,000, or about 50, 400, 900 more than the
receipts, and about s23,OOO.OOO more than
the expenditures for the same months of
the last year.
The Republican papers are dwelling on
these startling facts, and are endeavoring
to make from them capital for their
party. They. with characteristic audacity.
are telling the people that great hue
and cry was raised against the Republi-
cans and their billion dollar Congress,
because of the extravaganza, and yet
now, although the Democrats have a
two-thirds majority in the House of Rep
resentatives, and all bills for revenue
must originate in that House, the expen-
dtures are so much greater than they
were last year at this time. that the pub
lie debt has to be increased over 100000,
though the inability Of the Treasury to
meet its obligations.
This game Of the Republicans is really
too fiimsy to call forth the serious at
tention of any sensible man. The in
crease of disbursements and consequent
increase Of the public debt in January.
was due wholly to the laws of the billion
dollar Congress, which commanded an
increase of appropriations. When that
Congress was recklessly ordering the ex
penditure of public money without regard
to consequences, its chief organ. the New
York Tribune, exulted in the hope that
the Democratic House Of the present
Fifty-second Congress would be caught
In a trap, because II would be compelled
to keep up the appropriations demanded
by the laws of the Fifty-frst. and yet
would not have the s1OOOOO,OOO OF surplus
which was in the Treasury when the
Fifty-frst Congress came into existence
to draw upon.
In playing this game the Republicans
overreached themselves. for it was too
fimsy to deceive the people. The voters
knew who were responsible for the reck-
less inroads upon the Treasury, and they
elected n Democratic President and a
Democratic Congress to correct the evil
Two years hence will tell the tale and
II the people do not then see the Treas
ury in better condition, and the country
further removed from bankruptcy, they
will have just cause to return the Re-
publicans to power. But If they do, as
they will. then they must realize that
true safety can lie found only under
Democratic control and craftsmanship.