Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-29
GORMAN ON ECONOMY
He Objects to the Large Appropriations
for the Navy
Quite n Lively Political Debatc-Try-
ing to Fix Responsibility for
Lack of Revenue.

Senator German broke the monotony of
the routine debate on the appropriation
bills yesterday afternoon by delivering a
political speech, in which he arraigned the
republican party for its refusal or inability
to provide sufficient revenue for the gov
eminent. The speech was apropoS of the
item in the naval BILL providing for the
building of four new battle ships, which
Mr.. Quay proposed to increase to six. Mr..
German stated that his reasons for oppos-
ing the provision were embodied in the fol-
lowing summary: Estimated receipts for
the next fiscal year. s374.OOO, 900; appropria-
tons for the same period, S525, 900 900;
deficit, s151, 100000. Such appropriations, he
said, means more bond issues. The Secre-
tary of the Treasury has already used
62,OJOOOO received from the sale of bonds
TO meet current expenses. MIR. German de-
clared that the Secretary would have been
recreant to his duty If he had failed to do
this; yet 1t was not good policy to sell
bonds in time of peace. But in view of the
great appropriations proposed in the face
of an insufficient revenue Mr.. German felt
obliged 10 give notice that he would offer
an amendment to the naval bill authoriz-
ing the issue of sJoo00,0OO in low-interest,
Short-term certificates.
Mr.. Sherman's Reply.
Mr.. German held 1t to be evident that
there was no possibility of increasing the
revenues by legislation at this session.
This brought Mr.. Sherman to his feet with
the remark:
Il very glad the Senator has confessed
the sin--the great sin-of the democratic
PARTY, said Mr. Sherman THE republic
can House of Representatives framed bill
increasing the revenues of the government
fifty millions, and that bill was sent to the
senate Here 1t was defeated by the votes
OF the other side of the chamber, so that
m off
democratic votes"
This led to a running debate between the
TWO leaders, in which each sought to fastea
on the others party the responsibility for
the lack of revenue legisla ton. The COM
PleXion of the committee on finance was
brought into question, Mr.. Sherman aver
ring that the membership was equally di-
Nlded as to the two great parties, with the
bdIdnce OF power held by the populistS
Mr. German denied this, and read the list
Oh the committee, which led to most I'M
usual incident. The populist on the COM
mittee is Senator Jones of Nevada who sat
silent nearer of an acrimonious debate
as to his politics. Mr.. German insisted that
the fact that Mr.. Jones had been elected to
the Senate as republican fastened on that
party the responsibility for his presence
and actions on the finance committee
MT. German taul!ted the republicans with
having accepted the control of the Senate
without producing any results and he re-
minded them that early in the session GER
tain of the democrats had proposed to COM
hine with The republicans to pass a non
partisan revenue i'll, but that the offer
had been rejected.
Mr.. Hale Never Heard of 1t.
When was this dicker prcposed?" asked
Mr.. Hale. Il never heard of it before"
Mr.. German replied that no dicker had
been proposed, but he had suggested when
the republicans were about to take control
3D. ,.ss-
gether on a general policy.
II now recall" proceeded Mr. Hale. that
the Senator suggested that the best
thought of the Senate should come to-
gether and reach an understanding as to
organization. But l never supposed the
Senator meant to come together on the
great questions of tariff and finance
Il am amazed that the Senator comes in
to the debate and helps plead the baby
act said Mr.. German.
Let me amaze the Senator Also" came
from Mr.. Chandler. who Corroborated Mr..
Hale's statement that when cooperation
between the republican and democratic
Senators was suggested Mr.. German had
remarked that the best thought of the Sem
ate should come together
Mr.. Sherman at this point stated that it
was well-known fact that every one of
the democratic members of the finance
committee was in favor of the free coinage
of silver, and they thus interposed this
administration was against the free coin
age of silver.
Wouldn't Discuss Silver.
Mr.. German refused to be drawn into
debate on the silver question, and he re-
sumed his speech, discussing the tariff bills
He referred to the attitude he had taken
when the tariff bill was before the Senate
an attitude, he said, that had caused him a
great deal of personal annoyance, and that
had earned for him much Misrepresentation
from his party associates. He had realized
that the bill did not raise sufficient revenue
Even if the Supreme Court by It's extra
ordinary decision had not knocked out the
income tax feature of the BILL ne declared
1t would not have raised sufficient revenue
With great sarcasm he referred to the Sec
rotary of the Navy and his ambition to build
up, man and equip "a splendid navy
Sarcastic Secretary Herbert.
Our great Secretary of the Navy" said
Secretary of the Navy who is not great, who
went into the cabinet because of the success
of democratic ideas, as We supposed, asked
for more ships and more men." He de-
scribed the demand of the Secretary With
unfeigned contempt, and attributed much
of his inspiration to association with naval
officers who were anxious for ships to COM
mand- He closed with an appeal to the
could not be increased. Certificates of in
debtedness must be Issued, he concluded, or
more bonds must be issued.
Mr. Stewart followed with a financial
speech, and then, at 5:55 PIN, the Senate
adjourned