New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-21
GORMAN MEETS A REVERSE
HIS CURRENCY CERTIFICATE SCHEME
REJECTED BY THE SENATE.
THE MARYLAND SENATOR'S RIDER ON THE FOR
TIFICATIoNs BILL DEFEATED BY VOTE
OF lc TO 0 AFTER SHARP EN-
COUNTER WITH Mr..
SHERMAN.
rny TELEGRAPH TO THE 1RfBUNE.l


Washington May 20-Mr German enlivened the
duIness Of routine business the Senate to-day by
trying to saddle as rider on the for'"iVa''''''
Appropriation bill his pet scheme OF an issue OF cur
rency certificates exchequer notes. 70 supply
what he considers the inevitable deficiencies IN the
revenue for 1869. More than a year ago. at the
short session OF the LID Congress. the Maryland
Senator 20 emphasize his total disagreement with
the fiscal policy OF Secretary Carlisle and PRECEDENT
Cleveland brought forward similar rider TOT az
tachment 10 the Sundry Civil bill. but In the last
days of expiring Congress no vote couia De hau
and the certificate issue scheme was finally cropped
as hopeless All this year Mr.. German has been
predicting the bankruptcy OF the Treasury II moth
ing is done to increase the Governments revenue
by legislation However sound this view OF the SIT
uation, Mr.. German has shown how little sincerity
there Is in his professed zeal 10 Increase the Gov
ernment's resources by ohstnately refusing 10 al
low the passage % the House Emergency Revenue
bill and his appeal to-day for the authorization OF
an issue OF 100000 OF per cent certificates.
viewed IN the light OF his record for the session,
naturally carried little weight After sharp pas
sage at arms with Mr. Sherman. who mercilessly
assaed Mr. Germans plan Of Treasury relef. the
rider was defeated by the decisive vote Of AZ TO ..
Mr. German said that he well aware that
the amendment subject to point or order. But
Senators knew that there would be shortage in
the Treasury before next January. and he felt that
he did his whole duty a Senator In calling the
attention OF the Senate to the matter. Each OF
u.s." he added. with touch OF solemn!ty. must
take the responsibility for the result which. in my
judgment Is bound TO follow from non-action."
Mr.. Mills Dem. Tex made a point OF order on
the amendment. He contended that the only egiti-
mate measure for supplying revenue was taxation.
Congress was still in session. and 1t was Its duty
before adjournment 10 provide for the raising OF SUI
fcent
The presiding officer Mr. Chandler QRep. n. h.
he NJ ord on he nd
amendment was 10 provide money TO pay for the
appropriations made In the bill.
Mr. Mills appealed from the ruling.
Mr.. Sherman Rep. Ohio said that he doubted
whether such a proposition had before been
made IA the history OF the United States 10 meet
current expenses In time of profound peace. The
Government amply able to meet It's current
expenses by taxation. There was no question about
Il. He could name Items on which reasonable tax
could DO Wed which would all the manifold
appropriations made by this Congress. Senators.
Mr.. sherman urged. should lay aside al party div-
sons and make provision for the expenditures OF the
Government IN the ordinary way, by an increase
Of taxation The House OF Representatives had
carly in the session passed bill Which, although he
DID not approve many OF It's details or its general
principles would have supplied all the deficiencies
ACQUIRING from day TO day.
Perhaps that bill did not go far enough. but IL
would have brought into the Treasury forty Afty
the Senate although practically defeated by free
silver rider. There was difficulty IN the Senate
taking II going over its details and Withdrawing
the free-si,ver amendment. lie willing 10 have
that bill taken up. and II II not sufficient, he
would add to II a tax on tea or coffee or on any
thing else. That could be done in three days.
that before the first OF July when the approprla-
ton bills would go into effect there would be
danger OF deficiency. II that not done. he had
faith that the President OF the United States would
not permit the expenditure Of the large appropr.a-
lions. The issue Of certificates OF indebtedness
would be admission OF inability TO pay the cur
rent expenses OF the Government. The country was
no, so poor as that. The people Of the United
states were never so rich they now: were
never better able 10 bear taxation. The pending
proposition would be a confession OF bankruptcy-a
position Of shame and degradation He would tear
up all the appropriation bills rather than issue $780,
OOo.0C0 OF certificates Of indebtedness.
Mr.. German expressed his surprise at Mr.. Sher-
mans opening remark. I'm view OF the fact that
four years ago that Senator himself reported from
the Finance Committee a proposition TO Issue S0-
10000 OF short-term bonds to meet a deficiency.
Mr.. Sherman contradicted that statement, and ex-
planed that the proposition In question was not to
meet deficiency but TO reduce the rate OF interest
outstanding bonds.
A long discussion ensued on that point and on the
relative merits OF the Mckinley Act and the exist
ing tariff act. Mr. German asserting that under the
latter sufficient would have been re-
ceved had It not been for the extraordinary decision
OF the Supreme Court against the income tax. II
was safe to say. Mr. German continued. that be-
tween the direct appropriations and the contracts
provided for at the present session the amount OF
expenditures for the next fiscal year would be
5000 10000 What, he asked was to be done? Could
the deficiency be met by any other method OF
taxation3 In his Judgment that not possible
Was II proposed 10 spend the money In the Treasury
that came from S the sac Of bonds? That would fol-
ment would 80 further than the Executive had
al Congress by refusing to make the expendItures
Senator from Ohio referred to had never been inc
tended TO become aw. Its authors, sponsors and
supporters knew that II never could become law,
and even II 1t did, 1t would not produce sufficient
The Senator from Ohio and his friends knew per-
fecty wei that bill which would Increase the
Mckinley rates could never receive the support OF
Democrats II that Senator In earnest in the
THIS Pa the biz S0I to as dEne ON
alcohol used In the arts which would place sl5OOCOO
and e Whch %o m Snd n aoeq St tax on tea
produce si0.0000O0 or GOOO0.000 year.
In the course of his speech Mr.. German alluded to
Mr.. sherman az the supposed Premier OF the next
Administration. which would be pledged to protec
ton to the point OF exclusion and whose party in
money that could be put into appropriation bills
III Congress adjourns" Mr.. German added. without
bty VA be with those who control legislation"
Mr. Mills withdrew his appeal from the ruling of
the Chair and moved to lay Mr.. Germans amend
yeas. ~; nays. 8. as follows:
Yeas-Messrs Alle1. Alison. Baker Bate. Berry
G Calm Hawslsy Zones Mrkl Kyle, Lindsay
Perkins, Pettgrew Platt Pugh, Quay seWel:.
Sherman shoup squire Stewart. Teller Vest. Walt.
Gray. Hill, Mitchell wis.,. Smith and Villas. '"