The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1895-10-31
ON THE DEFENSIVE
Administration Democrats Pre-
pairing to Repel Attacks.
FRUITFUL FIELD FOR RESEARCH
Republicans will Show Up Demo-
cratic IneompetSnsy at Wash
ingtOn-PenSiOn Office.

Washingbon Special to Brooklyn Stand
ard -Union.)
AS the time for the assembling OF con-
gress approaches administration officials
grow more concerned. Though they had
much difficulty with the last congress,
IN spite of the faat that 1t was so largely
Democratic, they appreciate that, with
the house immensely Republican, and
with the Republicans having a plurality
In the senate, and probably able to Sc
cure sufficient support to give them a
majority on questions where the atnlinist-
tratbon is concerned, they win have a
more menviable time.
80
There are so many grounds for critics.
ing this administration that 1t is not un-
natural that there should be so much
anxiety concerning the attitude Of the
new congress. Questions can be asked
THAT win be embarrassing, and investiga-
tions be held that would undoubtedly de-
velop facts dectdsd,y prejudicial to the
administration, so every department in
Washington is preparing itself for the
expected onslaught of the aggressive Re-
publfcans.
The pension office wifi undoubtedly be
investigated. It's course under this second
Cleveland administration has been hostile
to the old soldiers, and there have been
so many cases Of injustice that 1t wil
undoubtedly prove a fruitful ground for
an investigation. Pension claims hhve
been held up in order to reduce expendi-
tures, and otHrers have Leen dhsalrowed
upon the flimsiest technicalities fer the
same reason. AS the Republican party
E.la. - ~
dier, NOW that an opportunity Is af-
forded, of Imcovering many injustices to
THE men who saved the country, 1t will
not be Cost.
In the matter of foreign affairs the Re-
publican house will have much to say.
There ARE many papers connected with
foreign questions, in which this govern
ment Is interested, for which the house
will call, and 1t Is to be supposed that
many proofs will be obtained Of the utter
disregard shown by this administration
of American interests and OF Americans
abr'oad. The publication Of these papers.
and of other Information which the state
department will be required to give, wiid
be embarrassing to the administration,
and not serve to make 1t any more pop |
ular.
One matter that has not, in the rush of |
more pressing affairs, received attention,
and which is Of decided Importance, is
the question OF the boundary between the
United States and Alaska. The British
are preparing evidence, fraudulent for
the most part, to show that the Alaskan
boundary is too far south, and that terri.
tory now presumably belonging 10 the
United States Is realty a part of Canada.
The line, which the British win endeavor
to secure as the one separating Alaska
and Canada, will take In many of the
bays and inlets which at pres,
emit increase the importance of Alaska to
the United States. In spite of this un-
blushing attempt of the English to ac-
lulre territory that is really American,
the present administration has been care
lessly unmindfIl Of the dangers, ana
permitted the British to have
their own way. Congress wEl undoubt-
edly give this matter early attention, and
take such steps as will prevent the United
States from being bu1coed out of This
most desirable territory
Tine question of procuring sufficient rev.
enue 10 maintain the government without
q constantly increasing deficit WEI occu-
py large share OF the attention OF con-
sresis at ITS coming session. Secretary
Carlisle desires to have the tax upon beer
doubled. because this would produce $780,
10000 additional revenue. He wilc un-
foubtedly recommend such an increase
of the beer tax, together with several
small internal revenue taxes upon such
articles as proprietary medicines. as are
not now taxed. The brewers are organiz-
Dg to prevent this tax from being adopt
I'd, fwaiile the Republicans favor a duty
IN WOOD and amending the wooden scred-
ne. 80 as to add the duty Placed .pon
NE raw article. There Will certainly be ,
| sharp contest between the preSf lent and
congress, and 1t jS possible that It may
'estat In defeating all revenue legislation.
L appears probable, however, that pro- ,
Vision win be made for the issue OF
lhort-time, low interest cxchequar notes,
such as those that Senator Allison advo-
,ated at the late Sc SION of congress, to
,e used bo meet deficiencies in the reve-
lue. 1t Is early to forecast the action
" congress, but 1t looks as II these
emergency notes would be about all the
egislation passed, except appropriation
Wis, though The session wLd be interest
ng by reason Of the many revenue plans
proposed only to be defeated
oso
>arent tlIalt some provision must be lnade
or additional revenue for the govern
nent. Ever since the 1st OF July, 1893
reasury expenditures have been exceed
ng the receipts. and the administration
las been piling up an immense deficit.
L has been 80 successful in this incom-
oetent management OF governmental f.
1ances that the deficit for the Cleveland
is nearly $13lOo0, 100.
The deficit for the fscl year ending
Tune 30, 1894, was $69, 800, ,26O5S The fscaa
'ear ending the 50th of last June added
~, sos. .223.1S to the dedcit, while the 10
lays of the present fiscal year have /
'Iown deficit Of s21.OO ,1S7.2s. In spite /
I repeated announcements on the part Of
'emetary Carlisle, that the new tarifr I
aw would soon produce a surplus, and =
'espite Juggling Of treasury figures and
Io0ding back payments, the expenditures 4
ontinue TO exceed the recepts.
II was In June that the Democrats an.
ounced that prosperity was returning to
ne country, and that the Gorma Wilson