Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1882-12-13

be remembered that urged upon the action
OF congress at its last session the
| importance + of relieving the industry
and enterprise of the country. from pressure
of unnecessary taxation. It 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, rs 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-
! Guue to increase from year to year. For the
fiscal year ended June S0th, 1881, the surplus
revenue amounted to 800, O0O,O 900. For the
surplus was more than $145, 100000. 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 q large
balance applicable to other reductions Of
the public debt. But renew the expression of
my conviction that such rapid extinguishment
of national Indebtedness AZ is now taking place
is by no means cause for congratulation; it is
cause rather for serious apprehension. If it
continues it must speedily be followed by one
of the 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
which under such circumstances can
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
overtlowing treasury. It was made apparent
in the course Of the animated discussions which
this question aroused at the last session of
congress that the policy Of diminishing the
! revenue by, reducing. taxation, commanded
general approval of the members of both
houses 1regret that, because, conflicting as
| be made operative, none of it's benefits have
been reaped.. In the iulfllment of what
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 tho 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 specialtax upon the manufacturer and deal
ers in such articles. Venture now to suggest
that unless IT shall be. ascertained
government for the coming year have been
underestimate the international taxes save
those which relate to distilled spirits can be
prudently abrogated. Such action, accom-
panied by a simpiiication of the machines of
collection which would then be easy of accom-
11ol, h1xy ho to- II
result in diminishing the cost of such collec-
ton at least two millions and a half Of dollars,
and in the retirement from Office of from I, 800
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 special
exigencies 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, for
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 even
if the existing system OF duties on
imports is continued without modification
those duties alone will yield revenue for all the
AceOS VI Cuc SOSeAulIcuI. ~ ID tSllludleu that
one hundred millions Of dollars will be re-
quired for pensions during the coming year,
and it may we'll be doubted whether the maxi
mum annual demand for that object has yet
been reached. The uncertainty upon this ques-
ton would alone Justify, in my judgment. the
retention for the present of the portion of the
system of internal revenue which is least OBJ
lition Of excise taxes would almost prove q
serious if not all unsurmountable objection to
thorough revision of the tariff and to any
considerable reduction in import duties.
The present tariff system is in many respects
unjust. It makes unequal distribution, both of
ITS burdens and its benefits. This fact was
practically recognized by majority of each
atlng the tariff commission. The report of
that committee will be placed before you at the
beginning of this session, ana 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-
caly aid your action upon this important ques-
ton.
The revenue from customs for the fiscal
year ending June 80, 1879 amounted to $751;
900. O00. 1T has in the three succeeding years
reached first $186, 0O0, 900 then $198. 600, 900
and finally, as has been already stated $780,
fiscal year which will end on June 80, 1885, will
doubtless be considerably in excess of the sum
last mentioned if tax on domestic spirits is to
be retained. 1t is plain, therefore, that large
reductions from the customs revenue are en-
| tirely feasible. While recommending this re-
the abandonment of the policy Of
so discriminating in the adjustment of details
as to afford aid and protection to domestic la
Dor. But the present system should be SO re-
| vised as to equaize the public burden among
all classes and occupations and bring it into
closer harmony with the present needs of in
dustry. Without entering into minute detail
| necessary, recommend an enlargement of the
| free list 80 as to include within it the numer-
| GUS articles which yield inconsiderable revenue,
a simplifcahon of the complex and
inconsistent schedule of duties upon
certain manufactures particularly those
duction of the duties upon those articles and
upon sugar, molasses, silk; wool and wooden
goods. IF q general revision Of the tariff shall
be found to beimpracticable at this session j
express the hope that at least some of the mora
conspicuous inequalities Of the present law may
be corrected before your final adjournment.
| One of them is especially referred to by the
! the supreme court the necessity OF amending
| the law by which the duties standard Of color
is adopted as the test of the saccharine strength
Of sugars is too obvious to require comment.
!; Tho War Department
From the report of the secretary of war it
appears that the only outbreaks of Indians dur
| ing the past Year occurred in Arizona and the
southwestern part of Mexico. They were
promptly quelled and the quiet which has pre-
vailed in all other parts of the country has per-
| mitted such an addition to be made to the
military force in the region endangered by the
Apaches, that there is little reason to appre-
bend trouble in future.
Those parts of the secretary's report which
relate to our sea coast defenses and their anna
mentsuggest the gravest reflections. Our exist
ing Notifications are VIGOROUSLY inadequate to
the defense of the great harbors and cities for
whose protection they were built. The. aues-
ton of providing an armament suitedto our
present necessities has been the subject of con-
sidelation by a board whose report was trans
mitted to congress at the last session. Pending
the consideration of that report the war de-
partmgnt has taken no steps for the manufac-
ture or conversion Of any heavy cannon, but
the secretary expresses the hope that authority
and rnoana IN hoo1n that irnnnrfant work will