New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-07-18
DISTRIBUTION or SURPLUS.


The PENNSYLVANIA Repu blicans have adopted
one resolution that seems to irritate their OPP
moments exceedingly. A great deal Ok harsh
language has been discharged at IT. and at ITS
authors. and some journals that are usually
guarded and conservative in tone seem 10 nave
lost their temper entirely when this resolution
appeared. 1t is "raDk communism" they say,
and snaked spoliation," and other bad things
too numerous to mention. Having observed
this TRADE, many persons will probably DC
amazed to find that TIE resolution at which IL
is aimed reads as follows:
That any surplus in the public treasury arising from
redundant revenue should, after paying the national
debt as fast condition permits he distributed from
time to time to the states upon the basis Of popu-
iatIon TO relieve them the burdens OF local taxation
and provide for the education of their people.
One would like to know, after all, what
should he done with such surplus as is con-
templated, if it should not be turned over to the
States. There is precedent for that course,
and there is no other way in which the money
can be got out of the Treasury except by
spending it. Will the opponents OF this
resolution seriously propose that the United
States shall spend, with or without good reason
or proper object, all the money that comes
INTO the Treasury If there is an adequate
and meritorious object, the resolution assumes
that money for that object will be spent, and
there need be no surplus until such objects
have been provided for. Bot when a surplus
remains, after spending wherever it is reason
able and proper to spend, are we to go on
spending still more?
Bat we hear il said that q redundant revenue
hal no business to exist that Government ought
not to raise more money than just enough for
the needs of economical sdministi alton. This
"a pure folly 1t is not possible in the nature OF
things to determine beforehand exactly what
the revenue will be in any year no Govern
mept ever has done or can do it. The state
of trade, the public prosperity or adversely,
will cause differences (which no statesman or
lawmaker can foresee. In order to avoid
disaster aud public dishonor when times are
bad, the laws must be so framed as to yield
some surplus when times are good, and sem
sible lawmaker will allow a considerable
margin for the accidents and emergencies to
which all great nations are exposed. At pres
ent, any surplus can be applied to payment OF
debt. But time will come, and IL is not very
far distant, when debt can no longer be paid
After 1886, 0OO.O 900 more of the outstanding
bonds have been redeemed. there will be not
another bond that can be touched until 1891 !;
only $3.50. OOO, 900 can then be paid, and after
that not another bond until 1907. The reso-
luton proposes to pay debt just az long as debt
can be paid, but how is a surplus to be avoided
when there are no more bonds that can he re-
deemed BY buying bonds aud paying tie
enormous premium that will then be &C.
mandedf
aReduce the tariff" say the Democrats. Bat
mere reduction of duties might easily cause
a larger revenue and a larger surplus 1t
would be more sure aud more easy to cut down
revenue by raising duties to the prohibitory
point. But neither that nor any other change
of the revenue laws is precludcd or opposed by
the resolution quoted. Make what changes you
will there must still be SONS surplus, unless
the Government Is subjected to danger OF bank
ruptcy. Then the question comes, what can be
done with IL IL the people who EOwl at the
Pennsylvania resolution would only try to
explain what they would have done with q
surplus after no more debt could be paid. and
no other proper objects of public expenditure
remained, it would be moIe refreshing
OF course it is inferred that the object Of the
resolution is to continue the present tariff after
But it has been said already that the revenue
can be indefinitely reduced without reducing
| the duties, and the Pennsylvania Republicans,
who are outspoken and Incorporating pro-
tectionists, had no need or inclination to resort
to any indirect or crooked mode of defending
the protective system. Nor 10 there any
| doubt that ways can be found for spending ali
the money that can come in under the present
laws, in entire harmony with the interests and
wishes of the people. The Improvement of
real harbors and real rivers, the promotion Of
an ocean mail service, the expansion of the
postal service within the country, the estab-
lishment Of more perfect systems for obtain.
ing agricultural and other information, the
promotion of science, and above all the educa-
ton Of the people, are objects upon which large
sums could be wisely expended for years to
come. In fact, this seems to DO tho principal
objection TO the resolution it discusses con-
tingUncy that u Bovor likely 10 arise. When