The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1895-01-31
CONGRESSIONAL NOTES.


The latest figures given out by Super.
| intendent Stump of the bureau of immi.
grafton show that the balance of travel
| is in favor of the old country. The peri
cd covered by the figures is between Jan.
uary Z and IL, during which time there
arrived at New York from Europe 1901
steerage passengers, the outgoing trans
atlantic steamers carrying during the
same time 1740.
There is another conflict between the
postotfice department and the civil service
commission, over the making of APP
pOintments at postofi'es where there is
only one name on the eligible list. AT
several places such cases have happen.
ed, and the department has appointed an
outsider temporarily, but the commission
objects to this as violation of law. The
department holds otherwise.
The house committee on patents has
ordered favoraby reported the bill of Mr..
Covert of New York amending the stat
ute relating to copyrights, 80 as to pro-
vide that the total sum to be recovered
in any action or actions hereafter brought
under this statute shall not for any one
infringement, issue, or edition, exceed
double the value of the painting, draw
ing, articles, ETC., infringed upon, copied,
issued, or edited in violation thereof.
One-half of damages awarded in such
suits are to go to the proprietors of the
copyright, and the remaining half to
the government. The change in the law
was advocated by members of the Amer
lean Newspaper Publishers association.
CRITICAL CONDITION OF THE
TREASURY.
The immense and unprecedented with
drawals Of gold from the sub-treasuries
for export during the past week have been
the cause of a great deal of uneasiness
and concern on the part of the treasury
officials and other government fnanciers.
Not only have the figures reached an
alarming size, but advices from banking
institutions in New York and Boston
give strength to the belief that the pres
ent rate of Withdrawals will be contin-
ued. Should such be the case the pres
ent gold reserve will only last about
three weeks and then another acute
reached unless some relief shall have
crisis in national finances will have been
been obtained in the meantime. Secre-
tary Carlisle is making it his business
that everyone connected with the govern
ment having the least bit of responsible
ity in the premises, is kept fully informed
of the status Of affairs. A short time
since he devised new form Of daily state
ment showing the exact condition of the
treasury. This statement as soon as
issued is at once placed in the hands Of
the president, each member of the cab
met and each senator and representative
in congress. Hence none of those men
toned can plead ignorance for anything
that the future may hold in store.
In the meantime many plans are said
to be in process Of formation, and many
suggestions are being made for means
the threatened crisis may be
averted Within the last two years tenn
porary relief has been obtained by issues
Of low interest bearing bonds. The dis
position of congress seems to be to let
matters run their own course, 80 it may
be that another bond issue may be forced.
In this connection an interesting ques-
ton presents itself The first issue was
readily taken up The second issue, the
bonds being precisely the same as those
IF the first, was taken, but with not 80
much willingness. Now, it is not at