Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1882-12-13
be remembered that urged upon the action
of CONGRESS- its last session ho


of congress at its last session the
| Importance of relieving the industry
| and enterprise of the country from pressure
of unnecessary taxation. 1t is one of the truest
| maxims of political economy that all taxes are
( burdensome however wisely and prudently I'M
posed, and though there have always been
among our people WIDE differences of sentiment
as to the best methods Of raising the national
revenues, and, indeed, as to the principles up
on which taxation should be based, there has
been substantial accord in the doctrine that
only such taxes ought to be levied as are neces-
sary for wise and economical administration
of the government. OF late the public revenues
have far exceeded that limit and unless checked
by appropriate legislation such excess will con-
tinue to increase from year to year. For the
fiscal year ended June 30th, 1881, the surplus
revenue amounted to 800, O,OO0. For the
fiscal year ended on the 30th of June. last the
surplus was more than $145,OOO,0OO. The re-
port of the secretary shows what disposition
has been made Of these moneys. They have
not only answered the requirements of the
sinking fund. but have afforded large
| balance applicable to other reductions of
J the public debt But renew the expression of
my conviction that such rapid extinguishment
of national Indebtedness as is now taking place
is by no means cause for congratulation; it is
a cause rather for serious apprehension. If it
continues it must speedily be followed by one
of tho evil results so clearly set forth in the
report of the secretary. Either the surplus
must lie idle IN the treasury or the government
will be forced to buy at market rates
it's bonds not then redeemable, and
not fail to command an enormous
premium, or the swollen revenues will be de-
| voted to extravaganza expenditures which as
experience has taught is ever the bane OF an
Overlooking treasury. It was made apparent
in the course Of the animated discussions which
1,n1 OF $1,o ~ ~
congress that the policy of diminishing the
revenue by reducing taxation, commanded
general approval of the members OF both
houses. regret that, because, conflicting as
to the best methods which that policy should
be made operative, none of its benefits have
been reaped. In the lulhllment of what I
deem my constitutional duty, but with little
! hope that can make valuable contribution to
/ this vexed question, shall proceed to intimate
! briefly my own views In relation to it:
Upon the showing of our financial condition
at the close of the last fiscal year, felt justi-
fed in recommending to congress the abolition
of internal revenue taxes, except those upon
tobacco in its various forms and upon distilled
spirits and fermented liquors, and except also
the specialitax upon the manufacturer and deal.
ers in such articles. venture now to suggest
that unless 1t shall be ascertained
that the probable expenditures of the
government for the coming year have been
|
those which relate to distilled spirits can be
| prudently abrogated. Such action, accom-
panied by a simpiifcation Of the machines OF
collection which would then be easy Of accom-.
F; pliShment, might reasonably be expected tt
result in diminishing the cost of such collec,
and in the retirement from Office OF from /, 5Ot
to 1900 persons. The system of excise duties
has never commended itself to the favor OF
the American people and has never been re.
sorted to except for supplying deficiencies
in the treasury when by reason of specia
exiyences the duties on imports have proved
inadequate to the needs of the government
The sentiment Of the country doubtless COM
mands that the present excise tax shall be
abolished as soon as such course can safely
be pursued 1t seems to me, however, fol
various reasons, so sweeping measure as the
total abolition of internal taxes would for The
present be an unwise step. Two of these rea
sons are deserving OF special mention. First
it is by no means clear that ever
if the existing system OF duties OF
imports is continued without modification
those duties alone will yield revenue for all tn.
needs of the government. 1t is estimated tina
one hundred millions Of dollars will be re
nuired for pensions during the coming year
and it may well be doubted whether the maxi
mum annual demand for that object has We
been reached. The uncertainty upon this ques
ton wonld alone Justify. in my Judgment, tn
retention for the present Of the portion of tn
system of internal revenue which is least OBJ
jectionabe to the people. Second, total abo-
ltion of excise taxes would almost prove
serious If not all unsulmouDtable objection t.
a thorough revision of the tariff and to an,
considerable reduction in import duties.
The present tariff system is in many respect
unjust. It makes unequal distribution, both O
lts burdens and its benefits. This fact wal
practically recognized by majority of eacl
house of congress in the passage of the act ere
atlng the tariff commission. The report O.
that committee will be placed before you at tn
beginning of this session, and will, trust, af
ford you such information as to the condition
and prospect Of the various commercial, agri
cultural, manufacturing, mining and other in
terests Of the country and contain such sug
gestions for statutory revision as will practi
cally aid your action upon this important ques
ton.
The revenue from customs for the tisca
year ending June 3d. 1879 amounted to S137.
600. 0OO.-- 1t has in the three succeeding year
reached first 'S186,00O,O00 then $4,000, OO
and finally, as has been already stated 1920.
GOO, OOC. The income from this service for tn
fiscal year which will end on June 80, 1888, vii
doubtless be considerably in excess of the sun
last mentioned If tax on domestic spirits is t.
be retained. 1t is plain, therefore, that larg
reductions from the customs revenue are en-
tirely feasible. While recommending this re
duct]on l am far from advising
the abandonment of the policy O
so discriminating in the adjustment of detail
as TO afford aid and protection to domestic la
Dor. But the present system should be SO re
yised as to equalize the public burden amon
all classes and occupations and bring it int
closer harmony with the present needs Of in
dustry. Without entering into minute deta
which under present circumstances is quite III
necessary, recommend an enlargement of tn
| FROG Est, tn ipol1,Ga VCifbi1 II Tho
Gus articles which yield inconsiderable revenue
a simplifcatlon of the complex an
inconsistent schedule of duties upo
certain manufactures particularly thos
Of cotton, iron and steel aud substantial re
duction Of the duties upon those articles an
upon sugar, molasses, silk, wool and woole
goods If general revision of the tariff sha
be found to be impracticable at thus session
express the hope that at least some of the NOR
conspicuous inequalities of the present law ma
be corrected before your final adjournment
One Of them is especially referred to by tn
secretary. In view of the recent decision Q
the supreme court the necessity of amendin
is adopted as the test of the saccharine strengt
Of sugars is too obvious to require comment.
The War Department
From the report of the secretary Of war
appears that the only outbreaks of Indians dur
ing the past year occurred in Arizona and til
I
promptly quelled and the quiet which has pre-
vailed in all other parts of the country has pei
mitted such an addition to be made to til
military force in the region endangered by th
Apaches, that there is little reason to appre
bend trouble in future.
Those parts of the secretarys report whlc
relate to our sea coast detenses and their arma
ment suggest the gravest reflections. Our exist
ing Notifications are VIGOROUSLY inadequate t
the defense of the great harbors and cities fo
whose protection they were built. The uues
ton of providing an armament suited to on
present necessities has been the subject of con
sidelation by board whose report was trans
mitted to congress at the last session. Pendin
the consideration of that report the war dc
partr1ent has taken no steps for the nanufac
tre or conversion of any heavy cannon, bu
the secretary expresses the hope that authort
and means to begin that important work viii
soon be provided.
invite the attention of congress to the pro
pretty Of making more adequate provisions TO
arming and equipping the militia than ii
afforded by the act of 1906, which Is still npol
the statute books. The matter has alread
J been the subject of discussion in the senate ant
a bill which seeks to supply the deficiencies O
existing laws is now upon it's calendar
The secretary of war calls attention to tn
fact that all embarrassment has grown out O
The recent act of congress making the retire
n1ent of officers of the army compulsory at tn