The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-03-06
GORMAN'S FUTILE FIGHT.
ToAUTHoRIZE THE ISSUE OF TREAS
uRY CERTIFICATES.

The Senate Indisposed to Prevent the Is
sue of Bonds in that way--The Silver
Oue,tion Will Not Dawn--Some Interest
Ing Figures.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 27.-The Senate
spent five hours today in debate on
the amendment to the suudry civil
appropriation bill, reported from the
committee on appropriations, provid-
ing for an issue of 500, 600, 900 certifi-
Gates of indebtedness, bearing 3 per
cent. interest, to meet the deficiencies
in the treasury, and also requiring
future issues of bonds to be offered to
the public for at least twenty days.
Senator German, Democrat, of Mary
land, who was recognized as the re-
sponsible author of the amendment,
spoke for over an hour in advocacy OF
it, showing the probable reeds of the
treasury during the fiscar year, and
declaring that the Secretary of the
Treasury was entirely mistaken in his
estimates. The antagonists of the
amendment were all found on the De-
mocratic side of the chamber, in the
persons of Senators Hill, Mills, Voor-
hees and Villas, which was, perhaps,
the cause of Senator Germans subse-
quent allusion to Sudden conversions
such as were read of in Scripture. "
The supporters of the amendment
were on the Republican side, and in
cluded Senators Sherman and Allison.
Finally, as it was clear to German and
all other Senators that the amendment
If held to be in order-would be de-
bated till the 4th of March next. Sena-
tor German withdrew the amendment
and the appropriation bill was then
offered and agreed to. Unanimous
consent was given to have final vote
taken on the bill at 8 P. NJ. tomorrow.
A night session was thereby avoided,
and the Senate at $50 adjourned until
tomorrow at II A. Nj.
Senator German said that if relief
was to be given to the treasury, if au-
thority was to be given to issue certif-
icates of Indebtedness in order to
maintain the credit of the Govern
ment, the only possible way in which
it could be given was on an approprla-
ton bill. He regretted exceedingly
that it had become the duty of any
Senator to inaugurate such PROPOSE
ton. He regretted exceedingly that
it had not reached the Senate from the
House as a separate measure early in
the session when it could have been
deliberately entered upon and proper
ly discussed. Two years ago this iden-
teal question of order had been before
the Senate and then it was held by a
vote of 2S to Is that the amendment
was perfectly legitimate and perfectly
proper.
Senator German had no desire, he
said, to detain the Senate if vote
could be come to at once, but the COM
mittee on appropriations had request
ed him to state frankly, without re-
flecting OH anybody, what the neces-
sites of the case were. This was the
question before the Senate. The ques-
ton was, rs the treasury in such
condition that it can meet the wants
of the Government under present law?
Are the revenues of the Government
up to this hour (under our revenue
laws) sufficient to meet the annual ap-
preparations made by Congress and
the permanent appropriations? II 1t
shall appear from the official reports
of the treasury that we have appro-
priated more money than the receipts,
then will submit to the Senate that
we cannot afford to adjourn until pro-
vision shall be made to meet that de-
ficiency unless Congress desires the
issue of per cent. bonds running
thirty years or per cent. bonds run
ming ten years, to be sold to meet it.
Senator German said that the answer
made by the Secretary of the Treasury
to the resolution of the Senate las to
the condition of the treasury was on
its face misleading. 1t had been got
up by clerks and bookkeepers, and
had not had the close inspection of the
Secretary. From that answer, Senator
German said one might draw the con-
clusion that there was sufficient
amount provided to meet the demands
of the treasury. He would, however,
give to the Senate the exact condition
of the treasury. There was in the
treasury, he said, on the 1st of July,
1890, SS9, 993, 104. Between that time
and the 31st of December, 1894, the
treasury receipts Except from bonds
were 81, $50, 4S0, ,S65. The expenditures
during the same period that is, the
payments out of the treasury had
been 81, 737, ,290, $50, showing that the
expenditures had been $4,000, 900
more than the receipts.
How was the deficiency made up9"
a Senator asked
From the proceeds of the sale of
bonds" Senator German answered.
Nov the question arises whether
that condition of affairs will continue
from now on during the next year.
The Secretary of the Treasury" Sena-
tor German continued, ''in his answer
to the Senate has said that during this
calendar year 1895 he will have reve-
nue. enough to meet the expenditures
of the Government. That is mislead-
ing. l shall demonstrate, I think,
that the Secretary of the Treasury is
entirely mistaken in that statement,
and with all the revenues he will get
this year he will have deficiency of
over $50, ,OOO,O 900 for the calendar year
and a deficiency of $50, 600, 600 for the
fiscal year ending June 30, 1895. 1t is
not wise for Congress to adjourn leav-
ing the treasury department with the
open declaration made by the Presi-
dent of the United States that in an