St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1900-10-20
NOTES FROM washington
Newsy Notes on the Political Situ-
alton at the National
Capital.
REPUBLICANS RAIDIAG THE TREASURY.
Cost of Main &a tning Government I'm
der the PreHent Poitcy-RidicuIous
Criticism of Sir. Bryan-Hanna and
Gage Put Up Job ON the Bank
[spec .al corregpondenee.l

[Spec al Correspondence
The administration is becoming
alarmed at the cost of Imperialism as
shown by the books of the treasury de-
Dartment, where the cost of the present
policy is now being counted up in an
effort to ascertain what the appro-
priations must be for the next fiscal
year. If the present rate of e1pendi-
lures is continued the cost of main
tanning the several departments of the
government for the next fiscal year
will exceed by many millions the ap-
preparations made by the last congress
and this fact is causing the treasury
department much concern.
For the two months of the fiscal year
upon which we have just entered the
expenses of the war department have
been more than $35, 100000. This does
not include the expenses of the present
operations in the Philippines and
China, as their accounts cannot be
audited for many weeks. The appro-
priations for the army by the last com
gress aggregated $114,586, ,229, and un-
expenditures it is estimated at the
treasury that the appropriations for
the next year must be $2o0,000,000.
Secretary Gage has sent a note to the
war department cautioning it against
the condition that will confront the
treasury unless there is a change in
policy.
The naval expenditures are running
far ahead of the appropriation. For
the year ending June 30, 1901, $52, 147,-
O49 was appropriated. The, first two
months exhausted SIC, 0,356,673. This in
dicates deficit at the end of the year
of $4,000, 900.
For miscellaneous and civil expenses,
congress appropriated $80,17S,115 and
already $25,000,00G have been expended.
From this fund commissioners and
other sineeures are paid that do not re-
-quire or, at least, do not bring any
itemized account.
It is admitted in all departments of
the government that the next congress
will have to make numerous appropria-
tions to make good the deficits caused
by carelessness and extravaganza in
meeting the expenditures caused by
the present policy of the administra-
tion in the Philippines and China.
In the mat ter of securing supplies
for barracks and quarters for the army
in China there has been the greatest
extravaganza. Lumber and other ar
ticles, not carried by the department
in it's military stores, hive been ppr-
chased in the coast stateya t exorbitant
Ggures and sent to China. This was
done when it was expected the army
would winter there. The stuff will
now be taken to Manila. These sup
plies were not advertised for They
were purchased at any price asked and
the business, boom thus created was
counted upon to make the war popular
On the coast and secure votes for the
republican ticket. The scandal caused
by such, a reckless expenditure of pub
,ic money is now being felt and a reac-
tion against the party has set in.
Ridiculous Criticism.
Some amusement has been caused
here by the effort of Congressman
Loudenslager, of New Jersey, member
of the republican congressional CAM
paign committee, to show that Mr..
Bryan, if elected, will put the country
on d silver basis by instructing the sec
retary of the treasury to meet govern
ment coin obligations by silver pay
ments. Mr.. Loudenslager says that by
his record Of 1895 Mr.. Bryan shows that
ne will do this and points as proof to
Mr.. Bryan's vote in the house in that
year on the proposition to issue three
per cent. bonds. Mr.. Bryan voted
against that proposition, &E s*
Mr.. Loudenslager is unfortunate in
his choice of proofs, for Mr.. Bryan was
in good republican company when he
cast the vote for which Mr.. Louden-
Slayer now criticises him. The New
Jersey statesman stood shoulder to
shoulder with Bryan and with him
voted against gold bonds.
Mr.. Loudenslager should read up his
own record before he thus launches his
criticism at MIR. Bryan.
The gold reserve in the treasury had
fallen to $52 900 600 and on January
ss, 1895, Cleveland sent a special mes
sage to congress advocating the issue of
three per cent. gold bonds to replenish
the reserve. William NJ. Springer, of
illinois, chairman of the committee on
ways and means, introduced bill in
accordance with that message to issue
gold bonds to maintain a sufficient
poId reserve and to redeem and retire
United States notes.
The vote was taken February Z, 1895,
and the bill was defeated by vote of
los to 1876.
Here are some of the men who voted
with Mr.. Bryan to defeat that measure:
Bryan; Cannon, Illinois; Cousins, Iowa;
)oHiver, Iowa; Grosvenor, Ohio; Grow;
tIenderson;a Hepburn; Hit; Hopkins,
Illinois: Hull: Lacey, Iowa; Lane. Hill
nois; Lattimer. Illinois; Loud, Califor-
MIA; Loudenslager; Hermann, Oregon,
present commissioner land office;
Meiklejohn, Nebraska, present assist
ant secretary of war.
Among those who voted for it were
Oingley, Reed and Storer..
With Mr.. Bryan in such republican
company as this voting against an is
sue of gold bonds it does not lie in the
mouth of Mr.. Loudenslager. or any