Mr. HENDRICKS. Mr. President, if existing laws will allow the SecyTreasury to use the money for any improper purpose, then I should say that the locking up of that amount of money in the Treasury under his control would be dangerous to the liberties of the country; but when I consider the fact that the SecyTreasury cannot take from the Treasury one single dollar except in pursuance of law, that he has no more control of it than anyone Senator, as has been stated by the distinguished chairman of the ComFinance, I am not able to see that the Secretary's control of that money is dangerous to the country. In the discussion upon the tariff bill I felt it to be my duty to call the attention of the senate to the fact that there had accumulated, as I then stated, $93,000,000 of gold in the Treasury, and therefore I objected to legislation which was likely to increase the amount in the Treasury from foreign importations. That was the argument I Presented. I thought the fact that there had been such an accumulation was for the consideration of the legislative dept of the Government. The Senator, when that bill was up, did not feel it to be his duty to make use of this fact with a view to influence legislation. But this morning, when we are considering the conduct of the SecyTreasury in the management of a fund at his discretion, the distinguished Senator brings this subject up. Now, I do not believe myself that even the Congress is so very responsible about this matter. It seems to me to be very difficult for the wisest men of the country to anticipate the amount of money that will be brought into the Treasury by a particular law. Under the Present law year before last the receipts of gold were $84,000,000, and this last year $170,000,000. I will not say that the distin.gentlemen connected with the Finance !ommittee are responsible for this. A law that one year brings into the Treasury but $84,000,0another year brings in $170,000,000 produces a result that could not be anticipated; and I will not say that those senators who were instrumental in securing the passage of that law are in fault that the law rings in too much. But now, that we do know it, there are 2 questions: 1st, what is the duty of Congress? I think the duty of Congress is to change the law so as to reduce the amount that shall be brought into the Treasury; and if the Senator can answer the question which I suggested to him a little bit ago, what does he want, under existing laws, the SecyTreasury to do with the $97,000,000 of gold, it will be a satisfaction to the business community.