Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1882-12-23
Reduction of Taxes.

The tariff and internal revenue ques.
tions are now the leading questions ofthe
country and will likely receive much
attention in this and the next Congress.
The country demands reform and re-
duction in the public expenditures, but
while this is true, Congress should go
slowly, lest in their great zeal to relieve
the people they goto the otherextreme.
Notwithstanding the enormous sums of
money collected, and the millions Of
the peoples money that have been
thrown away, or what is worse, used
for unlawful and unworthy purposes,
still our people are prosperous and the
country abounds with plenty. The
people, though oppressed, are bearing
their burdens manfuly, waiting for re-
lief. The present and the next Con-
gress will be expected to make such re.
forms and 80 amend the tariff and reve.
nue. laws as to bring relief to the coun-
try, but in doing this every. measure
and every bill should be well matured
before adopted or enacted, so as not to
go to the other extreme, or in any way
impair the credit of the government or
disturb the general prosperity of the
country.
We favor low taxes. We are for the
very lowest rate, State and National,
that will be sufficient to maintain pub
liccreditand defray necessary expenses.
But reduction in taxation should be
in proportion to reduction in expendi.
lures and vice versa. Let Congress
begin the work of economy by discon-
tinuing useless offices and officers, not
only in the civil service, but in every
other department Of the government
Make all these necessary reforms in ex-
penditures and then reduce taxation
accordingly in such way as to bear
equally upon all classes without injury
to any. 1t is the duty of Congress to
protect and encourage manufacturing,
agriculture and all other industries of
the country as far as possible without
Injury to other classes. Whatever we
may have of surplus funds in the treas.
ury, or what may come into it under
the present laws, or may be collected
in the future, let such surplus revenue:
be expended in paying off the public
debt. 1t is poor policy for an individ
ual to let his debts run on interest wher
he has surplus money in his treasury
So it is with government. There Il
no time better to pay than when We
have money and no other use for it
We belong to thai. class who do not be
lieve that either q national or private
debt is a blessing. Let every dollar o
surplus funds how in the treasury, O.
that may come in hereafter, not abso
lntely needed for other purposes, b
4 applied to the payment of the public
debt. Our National as well as Stat
debt, is too large. Itrequires too mucl
taxation in connection with other de
mands to pay the interest. But whel
we talk about paying these interest
bearing bonds the advocates of the Ma
tional banks object, We are for Ns
tional banks. We believe the presen
system of banking under proper law
and restrictions is the best we hav
ever had. 1t has Its objections and il
defects, but with proper amendment
these may be corrected. Let Congre,
soamend the banking laws as to n
quire all new banks and such of tn
old ones, as their charters expire.
purchase or use non-interest-b earin