The National tribune., 1881-12-10
The Presidents Message.


tions of which we give upon another page, is q
voluminous document-far more SO than was gen.
orally anticipated. Its general effect is somewhat
disappointing. It is historical and statistical
but does not possess the qualities of great State
paper. Its chief merit may be said to consist in
the variety and number of subjects which it
includes. Nothing appears to have been omitted.
So much as relates to the condition of the
finances is well worthy of careful consideration,
inasmuch as it furnishes in condensed form a
correct statement of our monetary affairs.
The Presidents views upon the subject of
taxation and revenue, however, demand special
attention because of the recommendations which
he makes in that connection, viz:
First That all internal revenue taxes, except
those upon tobacco in its various forms, and
upon distilled spirits and fermented liquors
except also the special tax upon the manu-
facturers of and dealers in such articles-be
abolished
Second. The repeal Of the law imposing
stamp tax upon matches, proprietary articles,
playing cards, checks and drafts, and also the
law by which banks and bankers are assessed
upon their capital and deposits.
These two recommendations, except it may
be so far as they relate to the abolition of the
tax upon matches and proprietary articles are
calculated to satisfy only the rich, and are
clearly and solely in the interests of the money
power Of the country. The laboring and agri-
cultural classes will not be benefited one iota
by any such legislation as that suggested. It
is true that under our present system of revenue
there is a large surplus each year, but to GER
tain extent such surplus is merely fiction.
The Government now owes millions of dollars
long past due, to the ex-soldiers of the country
which ought to be paid, and at once. Owing
to niggardly appropriations for doing the work
in the past thousands and thousands of Just
claims are on file in the various Departments
awaiting the settlement that ought to have
been made years ago.
For instance, take the Presidents own figures
regarding Pensions. He says: "There are now
pending for settlement 265, SIS original pension
claims, 227,O40 of which were filed prior to July
1, 1880" And Of this vast number he estimates
that only about Is per cent. will prove worthless
leaving $4,000 good claims for consideration,
and these, he says, no new business intervening
" could be acted upon in a period Of six years "
with the present force. In other words, soldiers
who have had their claims on file for ten years
or more must wait six years longer for settle
ment, unless the working force of the Pension
Office be increased.
We think that before any steps are taken to
reduce the taxes upon those amply able to bear
the small amount required of each that full
and honest settlement should be had with the
Nations most worthy creditors-the ex-soldiers
and sailors, their widows and orphans
But such settlement calls for what seems to be
a vast amount Of money-say, in round numbers.
s235, 100000 for pensions. What if it does? the
obligation to pay remains the same. And the |
sum required is not so very large after all when
we come to consider the value which the Govern
ment received in advance for it, The country is |
amply able TO pay it to the last dollar if proper
legislation could be had in the premises That
this is so may be seen by glancing 1T the finan-
cial statement included in his message From |
that it will appear that during the fiscal year |
ending June 80 last interest upon the public debt
to the amount of So sos, falls was paid to the |
bond holders alone; and that after liquidating I
current expenses for carrying on the Government |
and paying some $5O,00O,OOO of pension (nearly |
half of which was in shape Of arrears long over
iue(, there remained in the Treasury a surplus of |
over 100000 the greatest portion of which was
devoted to the reduction of the debt
We do not complain however, at this showing:
our ground of objection to the Presidents recon-
is that, while he takes steps to relieve
,ne and that the richest class of the Nations
;reditOrs, he makes no suggestion looking toward
he relief of the other and poorer classes He
Gems to have absorbed the ideas promulgated by
he moneyed interests of the country through
heir organs, that the moneys to be paid out for
PENSIONS are benefactions only, and if not with
leld should be given grudgingly. More than
his, his language is indicative that he is inclined
o agree with those who oppose the payment of
tensions in toto-that large percentage of claims