The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1881-12-08
"VHAT WILL HE DO WITH IT?'

There is considerable discussion now
being INDUCED in by the press of the coun-
try relative to the big surplus in the Ma
tional Treasury and the course to be
adopted by Mr.. Folger in the disposition of
the same. We are not apprised Of the in
tention or policy Of the new Secretary, but
the fact is of such character that the in
FAINT in government arithmetic ought to
know how to deal with the matter. We are
informed that there is now in the vaults of
the Government at Washington
over Sl00,000,0O0 of money
above and beyond the necessary
expenditures of the year, and what to do
with this sum is the question before the
public 1t needn't take much time to de-
termine this matter, nor any great amount
of argument, notwithstanding the inn
portance of the subject, and we venture to
suggest policy under the circumstances
which we think would meet the require
ments of the day, and properly dispose of
this vast amount of money. In the first
place, let us say that the experience of all
dime is 10 che ehect that these large sur
pluses in National Treasury are exceed
ingly dangerous, from the fact that they
are apt to give rise to reckless legislation
and are often a means of corrupting the
sources of law. When government treas
ury is too full and that government has a
system Of taxation and owes debsS, it does
seem as il the surplus funds ought to be
used either in the liquidaVon of the indebt-
edness Of the government, or that iegisla-
tors ought to see thata reduction in taxa
ton. a matter, too, of ommon justice to the
citizen, ought to e inaugurated, Why
shall we allow $10QO000OO of money to lie
idle in the apartments at Wash
ington and continue TO impose upon the
people an exorbisant and Ubiquitous tax
and revenue? A widespread opposition is
now apparent TO the tariff and other impo-
stions Of the general government, and a
demand arises from all sections Of the
Union that in This particular there should
be be a specdf reformation. What more
opportune pc iod viii ever be reached for
lessening the Governmental burdens than
the present, when this vast amount OF
money Is lying away unused in the
vaults at Washington We do not,
as many do. advocate calling in the bonds
with this surplus and thus decrease the
National debt, for we are certainly doing all
that the present or the future could demand
Of us in this particular. We simply contend
that il is unjust. and indeed iniquitous to
compel us 20 pay two prices for everything
and heavy contributions 70 the Government
when these things are found to be wholly
unnecessary 10 keep mp our political ma
chiperv. If as has been shown, we can get
along nationally on So. 600 900 or $75,OOO,Do
les taxation than the people now pay, why
is il that those who represent rs, and whose
duty il Is 70 guard jealousy our Interests
Do not take hold Of the subject, and see
that this Tremendous amount is iifted from
the obligations Of the general publicf What
the present Secretary Of The Treasury VII
Do n Ibis matter eannot YET be determined,
nut il be does not DO s0meihing such IS We
have sueresfed. and tighten, f1r the frst
tine in rnnnv years. the FrieTnnccs and
burdens resting upon he taE-paTer, an
othsr ranic may ensus. 80 judge
Toirrr r. down % -posteritT . one
of the rre1t irc1mrsieui cEcials ~
he ctief Department q he
ro-rrrrsnt- 1hs t1lnnre ought q te Dis
r.,-sa .or eifhtr IN he ~aT ~ F.aTifs of
rnrns uf or Indebtedness and stoIrinz a
considerable itern - irierc-t. o. tlss in be
~ .fints-n.l irnrrCTsmert. rl1rt = ~