The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1897-12-03
WORK FOR CONGRESS
Little Chance for Passing q Cur
rency Reform Measure.
ALL EXPENSES TO BE KEPT DOWN.
The President Orders That Every Expeldi-
ture Must Be Cut Down to the Mini
mum-Day Rejects Portfolio
Decision IN q Pension Case

gAsHI6eToN, Dec. Members of
congress are unusually slow in putting
IA their appearance here for the regu-
lar session, which cOnvenes next Mon
day. Up to this time, there have been
scarcely more than a half dozen ar
rivals each day. From now on, how
ever, It is expected that the rush will
begin, and that very full attendance
szill be in their places on the opening
day. With the exception Of pro
nOuneed and radical pro and anti
Cuban congressman, the members of
both houses, as a rule, seem to be hold
ing their judgments in allegiance un-
til they ascertain from official sources
exactly what the situation is as to
Cuba.
In the matter Of the currency, It
seems already established that the
democrats and their free silver allies
viii oppose stubbOrnly anything the
the majority is likely to propose, and
the fact that the opposition in the SEN
ate seems insurmOuntable inclines
many repu blican members of the house
TO the opinion that it would be wis
dom not to attempt any legislation
whatever. Mr.. Hepburn, Of Iowa, is
one Of these. He thinks the futility
Of passing a measure in the senate
makes it inexpedient for the house to
attempt to put through measure and,
besides, he doubts the propriety Of the
republicans Of the house attempting
70 make a republican policy on
a subject upon which the republican
platform does not speak to the point
He says If the president should, as re-
ported, recommend any scheme for the
retirement Of the green backs, it would
be beyond the republican platform,
and every republican would be free 70
support or oppose it as his Judgment
Indicated.
ALL EXPENSES TO BE KEPT DOWN.
WASHINGTON, Dee. 1.-The sub-cOm-
rnittee Of the house committee on ap-
Preparations, which has direct charge
Of the legislative, executive and de-
partmental appropriation measures,
held its first meeting yesterday. 1t
was called by Chairman Cannon, Os-
tensibly for the purpose OF Parceling
out IN advance Of the meeting of con-
gress the regular appropriation meas
ures that viii come before It The
subcommittee, instead Of the expected
routine, however, inaugurated what is
to be the most complete and searching
investigation Of departmental ex-
penditures which has been made
IN many years. The heads Of de-
partments, chiefs Of divisions and
chief clerks of all the government
bureaus have been notified that they
viii have to appear before the commit
tee to explain the system on which
government work is conducted. and to
give reasons for every increase asked
for IN the annual estimates. The rea-
son for this move on the part Of the
republican committee on apprOpria-
lions is not based on a sudden streak
of economy on the part Of its mem
bers, but on direct orders from the
president that every expenditure must
be cut to the minimum. The admins
tration has awakened to the unpleas-
ant fact that it will have by the time
congress meets deficit Of nearly $50,
GOO, 600, all incurred since the beginning
Of the fiscal year, July 1. In the en-
deavOr to reduce expenditures to the
decreased income Of the Dingley tariff
bill and thus check the monthly de-
6cit. the administration leaders in con-
gress have been notified that this must
be a session Of retrenchment. All pub
lie building bills are to be held up; ap-
Preparations TO complete those under
way will be granted only when it is
necessary TO prevent loss; river and
harbor appropriations viii be cut, and
every endeavor made to check the
enormous drain in excess of govern
mental income.
DAY REJECTS A PORTFOLIO.
WASHINGTON, Dee. When asked
last night whether there was any truth
ga the often-printed reports that he
had been rendered the attorney gener-
alship, Assistant Secretary Day, OF the
state department. said: THE president
some time ago was kind enough 70 ten
der 70 me the position Of attorney gem
eFal In the event Of vacancy IN that
office. which. after consideration, I
have been reluctantly obliged 70 de-
cline for reasons entirely personal"
DECISION IN A PENSION CASE.
WAsHIseroS. Dee. Assistant Sec
rotary Webster Davis yesterday Ia the
case Of the widow OF James Dempsey,
late Of company c, Fourteenth Michi-
gan infantry, held that the fact that
the widow accompanied her claim
with a certificate from the board OF
health Of Detroit, Mich, that her hus-
bands death was due 70 paralysis Of
the heart, but suppressed that fact
fhat subsequent investigation By the
ccFoner showed that the heart paraly-
sis was caused by using liquor and
drugs, constituted fraud. The widow
vas penssoned by special act Of con-
zress and by this decision the depart
ment VIII recoup itself for money pre-
7iousiy wIOngfuliy paid her under the
GENERAL pension laws