The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-01-06

can possibly account for the fact that Con-
gross has already been 10 session three weeks,
and has taken fortnighty holiday, without
making any provision to meet the wants of the
government occasioned by diminished reve-
nue., the result of a falling off of importations.
1t is conceded that decline in imports is
desirable thing. 1t is especially so, when, as
now, the exports have largely increased. But
a diminuton of dutiable mercha ndse works
deficiency in the Treasury receipts. This
must be supplied by other means The first
necessity of the hour is additional tdrotson
1t is instant, imperative, overw helming. We
ought not to borrow money for we owe too
much already We ought not to stop the pub
lie works because their vigorous prosecution
now is wise economy aud will give legitimate
labor to numbers who would otherwise be tenn
porarils unemployed Besides, the country is
altogether too afh lieut. to have any occasion to
resort to niggardly policy in Expenditures If
there was any allegation, from credtahle sourc-
es that the public funds were wastefuly or
wrongfully disbursed, the case would be differ
ent. But the simple fact being that some cost
ly buildings are in process of erection, all of
them of national Importance, and that the
work on them is being prosecuted with energy
and despatch. it would be penny-wise pound
foolish policy to suspend the construction of
them.
am not unmindful of the distaste with
which the representatives of the people ap.
proach this subject of imposing increased bur-
dens on their constituents. There is morbid
sentiment among capitalists in reference to the
matter which requires correction. But it is on
" the rich who complain. The great body of
the people take pride in seeing tie capital
formed, and imposing edfices grazing the
Urge cities. 1t is pitiable to see men with for
tunes ranging from half million to twenty
millions groaning at the thought of having to
pay few dollars more per annum to meet the
demands OF a depleted treasury, and can only he
accounted for on the hypothesis that the richer
man grows the stingier he becomes. But there
are too few of this class to exert any material
influence upon popular sentiment. The men of
moderate means, who constitute such an over
whelming majority of our population, especi-
ally thinking and rejecting men. who realize
how desirable it is to ''pay as you co. will
welcome restoration of that liberal scale of
taxation which enabled Mr.. B utwell to meet
AIS oon5tetouo a.iu piiuS doOuo
steady reduction of the national debt 1t was
a mistake ever to have taken the taxes off,
None of them were oppressive, aud, save that
on incomes, none met with general disfavor. 1t
was judIcious to do away with the Income tax,
not because there was ny hardship in exacting
it,but because its inqusltorial features were Of
fensive to people, jealous of every form of
espionage into matters of personal concern.
The tax on tea and coffee is obnoxious to the
objection of bearing with qnal force upon
every consumer of those delicaces. without
regard to his means, but how insignificant the
levy is upon any single individual in compari-
son With the benefits accruing to the public
credit
Disguise it as we may, the only alternatives
before us are increased taxation or continued
initiation. The one, even if it were productive
OF temporary inconvenience, would bring abund-
ant recompence, in the blessings Of which it
would prove fruitful. The goal to which the
oher tends is financial crash, whereof
that from which we have recently emerged is
but the finger post of warning. Already the
adventurous gamesters who prey upon the in
dustry of the country by st ok iobbiug, gather
ing confidence from the inaction of Congress,
are plunging with characteristic audacity into
mad speculations. Upon the representatives of
the people about to reassembe in Washington,
devoves the solemn responsibility of determn
ing whether the issue shall be bravely met or
timidly evaded, whether we shall pursue the
course, whatever its pres mt obstacles, which
will bring us to the haven of solvency and
honor, or follow that downward road whose
end is disaster and chaos
YARMOUTH