Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1895-12-26
FINANCIAL MESSAGE.
THE PRESIDENT URGES
CONGRESS TO ACT.
More Heavy Gold Withdrawals and Our
Venezuelan Policy Make 1t Necessary
That Prompt Measures Be Adopted to
Uphold Our National Credit

WASHINGTON. Dec. 20.-At $40
o'clock yesterday afternoon the presi-
dent sent the following message to con-
gress and it was read at once in the
senate, which was the only branch in
session at the time:
To the Congress: In my last an
nual message the evils of our present
financial system were plainly pointed
out and the causes and means of the
depletion of government gold Were
explained.
1t was therein stated that after all
the efforts that had been made by the
executive branch 0of the Government
to protect our gold reserve by the is
suance of bonds amounting to more
than SI62, 900, 900, such reserve then
amounted to but little more than S79,-
600. 900, that about SIC. 600, 600 had been
withdrawn from such reserve during
the month next previous to the date of
that message, and quite large with
drawals for shipment in the immedi-
ate future were predicted. The con-
tingency then feared has reached us.
and the withdrawal of gold since the
communication referred to and others
that appear inevitable, threaten such
depletion in our government gold re-
serve as brings us face to face with
the necessity of further action for pro-
lection. The condition is intensified
by the prevalence in certain quarters
of sudden and unusual apprehension
and tim1ditv in business circles.
ANOTHER WARNING TO CONGRESS-
We are in the midst of another sea-
son of perplexity, caused by our dam
gerous and fatuous financial opera
tions. These may be expected to
recur with certainty as long as there
is no amendment in our financial sys-
tenn. If in this particular instance our
j predicament is at all influenced by re-
! cent insistence upon the position we
should occupy in our relations to GER
tain questions concerning our foreign
/ policy, this furnishes a signal and i'm
pressive warning that even the patri-
otto sentiment of our people is not an
adequate substitute for sound hnan-
! cial policy.
Of course there can be no doubt in
! any thoughtful mind as to the com
plete so1vency of our nation, nor can
| there be any just apprehension that
the American people will be satisfied
with less than an honest payment o.
! our public obligations in the recog-
nized money of the world We should
! not overlook the fact, however, thai
aroused fear is unreasoning and mus
be taken into account in all efforts tC
avert public loss and the sacrifice o.
our peoples interests.
The real and sensible cure for oul
recurring troubles can only be effected
by complete change In our hnancia
scheme. Pending that the executive
branch of the government will not re
| To- &C. aA hardnn
termination to use every means within
its reach to maintain before the wOr1t
American credit; nor will there b,
anys hesitation in exhibiting its conf
dence in the resources OF our countr,
and the constant patriotism of on
people.
| PROMPT ACTION PLEADED FOR
In view, however, of the peculia
situation now confronting US, 1 hav,
ventured to herein express the earnes
hope that the Congress, In default o
the inauguration of a better system O
finance will not take a recess iron
its labors before it has by legisla
tive enactment or declaration
done something, not only t
remind those apprehensive amonI
our people that the re
sources of this government and
scrupulous regard for honest dealing
| affords sure guarante tee of unquestione
safety and soundness, but to reassur
the world that with these factors an
the patriotism of our citizens, tn
ability and determination of our IA
ton to meet in any circumstance
every obligation it incurs do not admi
OF question.
ask at the hands of the Congress
such 9rompt aid as it alone has tn
power to give to prevent, in time c
! fear and apprehension, any sacrifice c
the peoples interest and the publi
funds or impairment OF our publ
, credit in an effort by the executive a.
ton to relieve the dangers of the pre-.
ent contingency.
RAINFALL By TONS.