The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-09-24
An Important Congress.

The congress that will assemble at
Washington on the first Monday of De-
cember will have before it as grave
que stions as have confronted any
United States congress since the close
of the war both as to domestic and
foreign policy. First and foremost of
the problems the incoming congress
will be compelled to grapple with is
that of national finances. Since the
present Democratic administration
came into power there has been a con-
stantly Increasing treasury deficit. I'm
der the operation Of the ill-s.arre1 pol
icy tnaugurated by the Democratic ad.
m.nistration and Democratic con-
grsss the revenues of the treasury have
fallen far below the expenditures of
the government. Again and again the
depleted treasury has been replenished
by the issue of bonds, only to be de-
pleted again by the excess of eXpendi-
lures over the revenues The interest
bearing debt of the nation has been
enormously increased and the burdens
of the next generation made the
heavier. The complacency Of President
Cleveland as to his administration has
apparently not been in the slightest de-
gree disturbed by this condition of af-
fairs.
Time after time Mr.. Carlisle. the Sec
retary of the treasury, has given the
nation assurances that the crisis had
been passed and that there would be no
further deficit; that the revenues of the
treasury would equal, If not exceed,
the expenditures; that the policy of the
Democracy would be vindicated. The
situation is no more hopeful today than
it was q year ago Month after month
the deficit appears and a further in
crease OF the national debt becomes in
evitable. Our gold continues to flow
out of the country and the treasury re-
serve can be maintained only by SELL
ing more bonds.
The incoming congress being Republi-
can will undoubtedly make an ATTEMPT
to effect change in the general nnan-
clal policy Of the government with a
view to bringing the revenues up to a
level with the expenditures. Congress
can accomplish nothing decisive with
out the corporation, or the assent, of
President Cleveland. Congress can
enact legislation, but unless the presi-
dent approves the bills passed they
cannot become law. An important
question, therefore, is to what extent
can the president be induced to aluan-
don the rulnpus policy that has resulted
In the desperate condition of affairs
now prevailing in the national
finances? If he persists in adhering to
his avowed theory that the Wilson
tariff act, which provides neither pro-
lection nor revenue, Is wise and patri-
otic, then the hands of congress will
be tied. and relief cannot be expected
however anxious the peoples represent
tatives and senators may be to relieve
the country. But whatever the attl.
tude of the president may be, 1t will be
the duty of the Republicans in the new
congress to pass measures for the res.
toration of the national finances to a
sound basis, leaving to President Cleve.
land the responsibility Of vetoing them
Another question of the highest i'm.
portance that will come before this con.
gress will be that of our foreign policy
and more especially the attitude of the
United States with reference to Cuba
Concerning this matter the national ad.
mfndstration has been utterly and
wholly out Of harmony with the senti
ment of the people of this country
During the prolonged. struggle of the
Cuban patriots for independence oul
government has rendered Spain all The
aid 1t could, not even being neutral ir
the struggle. Excessive and even un
necessary vigilance has been exercised
to prevent aid reaching the Cuban pa
triots from private sources in thi.
country. In view of the long ant
brave resistance to tyranny by the Gu
bans, Spain could not reasonably fine
fault with this country II our govern
ment granted .belligerent rights to tht
patriots. It willSbe a great surprise
II the incoming congress does not take
this view Of the matter. President
Cleveland cannot very well, in his an
nual message. ignore the important
ousetions which the welfare Of tn,