Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1882-11-30
aKeep the Country Poor,n

the New York Herald. History every
where establishes the fact that wealth
begets extravaganoe and luxury. which
in turn yield to effeminacy and demor-
and that the government fiuan.
cially poor is always the purest and best.
The writer in the Herald gives promi-
nence TO the fact that the large accumu-
lation of surplus revenue in the govern
ment treasury is what led to and made
possible the frauds Of the Republican
Congress, and refers to the swarm Of Off
GERS supported and fattened ON taxes
paid by the people and the irresponsible
character of the partisan organization
continued in power by these disciplined
officials who disregard the public service
and look only to individual enrichment
from the public treasury. he therefore
asks that the government be kept poor,
and proceeds to advocate, for this end,
the total repeal of the internal revenue
taxes and the disbandment of its horde of
officers; but opposes the modification of
tariff duties, for the reason that such
measure would increase the revenue,
recognizing the well established maxim
of political economy that revenue ceases
when protection begins"
The article, while containing many
good suggestions, is based upon the polit-
ical heresy that "a national debt is a
national blessing" and seems to suggest
that no thought should ever be taken or
promises ever made for its liquidation.
While the country should be kept poor
it should also be kept out of debt. A
surplus treasury may be great incentive
to corruption, but an army of govern
ment security holders and gamblers is
fully as demoralizing, and so long as the
government, at its option, can redeem
its call bonds or indefinitely delay pay
ment of public obligations, so long eau
Wall street control values, make million.
airs or bankrupts as it may be able to
control the policy and acts of the treas
urer of the United States.
Our public debt is still enormous, and
until the last cent is paid there is no rea-
son why there should be surplus in the
treasury. The interest alone on the
bonded debt amounts to about $10O, ,000,-
900 per year, and $3.50, 900 of sur
plus can be safely applied each year to
the pa, ment of the principal, and if done
at regular stated times would cause no
fluctuation in values but would simply
force that much more capital annually
into industrial neutrality-suspicious.,
commerce, manufactures or internal i'm
provement. Again, should conditions be
such as to forbid the redemption of bonds
as the revenue may accumulate, what is
there to prohibit loan Of the surplus to
the States and municipalities, now pay
ing huge sums in interest. This would
save interest to the States, the accumula-
ton of which would go far towards Ii.
quidating the principle by the time the
general government would call in the
loan.
Why, then, the demand for the aboli-
ton of the. internal revenue? From it
is derived about $40, 900, 900 a year. No
one feels it oppressive and no one. but a
protectionist, objects to it. Abolish, if
you please, the remnant Of stamp duties,
but let that on liquors and tobacco re-
main until the national debt is Cancelled.
Reduce, also, the army of collectors and
revenue officers-one-tenth of the present
number is abundantly sufficient, and
thereby save $5,000,0QO.
If a reduction of tariff duties will in
crease the revenue receipts, SO much the
better-the national debt can be paid the
quicker and more articles of necessity
placed upon the free list. This will aid
commerce and make our flag again visi-
BILE on the seas. By all means, remoddle
the tariff. Give us tariff like that of
1S46-purely on an advelorum basis with
all Determinations in favor of the neces.
saries of life. If anything is to be free
let it be tea, sugar, wearing apparel,
manufacturing machinery, agricultural
implements, ship building material and
such articles as contribute to the COM
forts OF life and the prosperity of the
country.