The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-22
DEMOCRATIC SENATORS
WORRYING ROOSEVELT
AND HIS SUPPORTERS
Ratification of the Panama Canal
Treaty Periled by the Minori-
tvs Course.
PRESIDENT is ASSAILED
For Appointing Buchanan Minis
ter to the Isthmian Republic
in Too Great Haste.
PLACE DID NOT EXIST
Therefore, Democrats Say, the
Appointment Was Void-The
Nomination Held Up.
PRESIDENT is ASSAILED
PLACE DID NOT EXIST
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special 10 the Indianapolis JOURNAL
WASHINGTON. Dec. 21.-Presdent
Roosevelt and his administration and the
Republican leaders in the Senate are plain
ly worried over the situation with respect
to the Panama treaty and the canal. The
attitude OF the Democratic leaders in the
Senate toward the whole question is such
that 1t is impossible to forecast what the
outcome will be. That the Democrats
propose taking advantage OF every point
In the situation Is manifested by the course
they are pursuing toward the nomination
by President Roosevelt of Mr.. Buchanan to
be minister TO the new republic OF Panama.
On the motion of Senator German. the
nomination has been held up. 1t is claimed
by the Democrats that If they prevent
Il no step will be taken by the Senate
which may be accepted as an Endorsement
OF the position assumed by the administra-
tion toward the isthmian republic. 1t is
further claimed by the Democratic leaders
that there is no authorization for the ap-
pointment OF Mr.. Buchanan and the Con-
stitution is cited as authority for the state
ment that person can be appointed by the
President and confirmed by the Senate
to a position that has not heretofore been
created by law. 1t Is asked where the
-
minister to the new republic OF Panama.
The Republican senator's are looking into
the subject and some of them admit there
is force In the suggestion that no such
office has been created. II Is suggested
that there are precedents for the action OF
President Roosevelt in naming a minister
TO Panama in advance of legislative crea-
tion OF such an office. but the subject has
not yet been thoroughly digested by the
constitutional lawyers of the Senate. In
the meanwhile Mr.. Buchanan has started
for Panama.
The suggestion that Secretary Shaw will
find IL necessary TO withdraw federal funds
now deposited in national banks in order TO
meet the current expenditures of the gov
ernment is not supported by the best au-
thority in the Treasury Department Sec
retary Shaw estimates that there will be a
deficit IN the treasury balance for the cur
rent year. but up TO this time comparatively
little inroads have been made the splen-
did treasury balance OF about s22s 200.
The excess OF expenditures over receipts
since July l amounts to about 100000. but
unless the receipts diminish I'm materially
greater degree than they have during the
past four months, and a large payment be-
comes necessary on account OF the isthmian
canal project. there Is little likelihood OF
necessity arising for the withdrawal OF
government money now out among the peo-
pie as circulation put out by the depository
banks. The total available cash balance OF
s22s. 900 is represented by sl5s.0oOco0 de-
posted with the national banks. thus leav-
ing about $70,0G0.0oo a working treasury
balance on hand !n the department here 1t
r. possible that the canal project may call
for a payment OF $+0O0000e but IL Is not
certain that this payment will be made
from available cash. IL may be deemed
desirable TO begin the operations by bond
r.1 a.. hi fx1fx. ou1 49,
Senator Fairbanks.
Not only are the treasury conditions ex-
cellent with respect to the general funds.
but the holdings OF gold were never so
great as at the present time. About a
quarter OF the available cash balance, or.
IN round numbers; more than ss20oo0oo Of
the general fund is held I'm gold coin and
bullion. which is the property OF the gov
ernment: This Is over and above the $780,
the REDEMPTION % Division d as uS BASIS fo for out II
standing treasury notes. In addition to
this, there Is about $40, 100000 of gold In
the treasury against which mas been Is
The secretary of the treasury gives no.
tice that the refunding of United States >
per cent. bonds loan of 1906 1918. and per
cent. bonds. funded loan OF 1907. now pro-
ceeding under the circular OF Sept. g. will
be discontinued after Dec. 81 Bonds that
are intended Tor refunding must be for
warded so TO be received at the Treasury
Department not later than Dec. 81
President Roosevelt began to-day the OBJ
servance OF the congressional holiday re-
cess. No visitors were received at the
White House. Indeed. the President did
not appear in the executive Offices. Shortly
before 10 o'clock he walked to the residence
OF Secretary of state Hay and remained
with the secretary about twenty minutes.
Returning TO the White House he left i'm
meditely extended horseback ride.
During the next two weeks the President
will receive only such callers as have to
present him the most urgent public business.
He will spend In the executive office only
such time may be necessary for the
disposition or important correspondence.
Xxx
The secretary OF the treasury has issued
q circular letter OF instructions to officers
OF the customs service and others interested
In bringing into operation the treaty or
reciprocity with Cuba approved Dec. H..
1902. and made effective by act of Congress
and the Presidents proclamation of Dec.
IL. 1903. The circular declares that the
treaty becomes operative one minute after
midnight Dec q.
Speaker Cannon to-day received letter
from Representative George B. Mcclellan
resignation as a member of the House TO
Governor Odel The resignation becomes
effective upon its receipt by the Governor.
Xxx
The secretary of the interior has revoked
the order under which final action in entries
under the timber and stone act were sus-
pended and all such entries. aggregating a
large number. will now be acted upon In
the regular order by the General Land Office
The order involves several hundred thou
sand acres of public domain i'm the West
all entries OF which have been held up be-
cause Of the big frauds perpetrated on the
government under the timber and stone act
Frank NJ Higgins. chief examiner OF the
Civii-service Commission in his annual re-
port. says that during the last fiscal year
there We're ii2.624 persons examined for the
classified service OF the government and
O.423 appointments To all branches OF the
service. OF the appointments "a per cent
were purely clerical positions, per cent TO
professional technical and scientific posi-
lions. ~ per cent. 10 mechanical positions
requiring no educational examination, and
Z per cent To skilled labor positions not
exactly mechanical I'm their character but
: requiring no educational examination. OF
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