The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1897-12-30
Our Washington Letter.

coming together of Congress-, and who en-
tertained fears that the problems which
that body must take up would prove diff
cult of solution, are likely to be happily
disappointed. Currency, the Cuban ques-
ton, Hawaii, public revenues, public ex-
penditures-these are the chief subjects
which Congress is expected to consider,
and there were people in the business
world especially who felt that by reason
of the lack of Republican majority in
the Senate a solution of these problems
would be difficult to reach. While no de-
finite results have, Of course, been attain
ed in these important subjects in the brief
time which Congress has been in session,
there is good reason to believe that the
problems may be more easily solved than
had been anticipated, and in way which
will not only be satisfactory, but prevent
any disturbance to business conditions
which had been feared as possible, if
not probable, result.
The Treasury figures are being careful
ly watched by those who are interested as
to the question of whether or not the
Dlngley law is going to produce sufficient
revenue to meet running expenses. Treas
ury officials who are watching its opera
lions closely believe that it's revenues in
the next fiscal year will equal and prob
ably exceed the expenditures. Mr.. Ding
| low hoy hot
the antcipatory importations during the
four months prior to the enactment of
this law were nearly $40, 900, 900, all of
which would have been collected under
the present law bad the importations prior
to its enactment been only normal He
predicts that the December receipts ex-
Guiding those from the Pacific railroads.
will equal the December expenditures and
that long before the fiscal year is ended
the receipts under the Dingley law will be
sufficient to meet all running expenses
and produce a surplus in the next fiscal
| year of at least ten million dollars There
is general feeling at least that the new
law should be permitted to show what if
can do under normal conditions and that
| if at any time it should be found advisable
to Increase the revenues, which, however.
is not probable, it would be ACCOMPLISHED
without any general disturbance of the
present law or readjustment of its rates.
The sensational suggestions of ex- Minis
ter Taylor that the people of the United
States should rise and demand instant ac-
ton on the Cuban question, irrespective
of its prospective effect upon the coun-
try or our relations with other parts
of the world, do not seem to have met with
any response on the part of the people.
Members of Congress report their constit-
uents well satisfied apparently with the
developments thus far and quite willing to
trust the administration which has handl-
ed the matter with such success, both in
obtaining the release of all American
citizens in Cuban prisons and seeing it's
recommendations to Spain followed by
propositions of an offer of autonomy.
While the Cuban matter is not forgotten
or overlooked by members of Congress.
there is disposition to permit the adj
ministration to carry out it's plans
1t will be remembered that there were
many misgivings about the future of the
tariff bill in the Senate because of the
fact that the Republican party did not
control that body, and cannot during the |
present Congress. The clement which |
did control it, however, saw that the
public sentiment was 50 strongly in favor !.
of a protective tariff that refusal to per
nit the passage of bill with which they |
did not fully agree would be resented by !
the people. Now there are indications
that the same wise policy will be pursued .
with reference to the currency question. /
President Mckinleys proposition for a
retention in the Treasury of the United
States notes which are redeemed in gold, /
and legislation which will bring an in
crease of national bank circulation by an !
increase of the sum which they may issue
against their deposit Of bonds, is proving
extremely acceptable and being general
ly commended, not only by large |
majority of the members Of Congress but
by the people throughout the country, as
is shown by the reports received here by
members of both houses of Congress,
The fact that this proposition seems to
lay the foundation for an easy transforma-
ton of the currency system without the
shock to the business world which a sud
den change would produce, and without
increasing the interest bearing indebted
ness, causes it to be very warmly COM
mended by people of both parties. This
is SO clearly apparent that there is reason
to hope that the members of the Senate.
who have it in their power to defeat any
legislation offered and supported by the
Republican party, will take the same ,
ground upon this question that they did :
upon that of the tariff, and omit such '
fractional or extreme opposition as to pre- .
vent its final passage.
OF course, with 50 many currency pro
positions, and SO many men who have
Il ,f tbai, Il.