The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-10-18
WORK FOR CONGRESS-.

| D6lnduu IOT IL ueCE0dSlLR sur
plus in the treasury comes up from all
parts of the country. AT the rate at
which the 3 per cent. bonds are re-
deemed the basis will be withdrawn
in two or three years from large
portion of the national banks. But
new methods for funding can be. de-
v1sed which will give the national
banks basis without making any re-
duction of the surplus revenue.
| While Mr.. Knox looks to the national
bank question the people are looking
to the tax question. While such a
surplus exists the currency will be
continually subjected to fluctuations
Of extreme redundancy and extreme
scarcity, causing much embarrass-
ment and uncertainty to business.
AT the same time the people are
subjected to needless taxation
for the purpose of accommodating a
vast surplus, for which the govern
ment has no use. What is worst of
all in this system is that what goes
into the treasury in excess of govern
ment needs is much less in amount
than the incidental and invisible tax
alton which it causes in raising
prices on commodities that do not go
through the custom house. The ques-
tion, then, is: How shall this surplus
be reduced? In answer to this ques-
ton our much-esteemed co-tempo-
rary, the Philadelphia Record, replies:
"Not by repeating the taxes on whisky and
tobacco, because there is too strong an opinion
i'll the country that these articles as luXuries,
are proper subjects OF taxation. Besides, the
sudden withdrawal OF the whisky and tobacco
taxes in advance of tariff revision, might cause
serious embarrassment to the finances.
Not by the Wharton Barker method of dis
trlDutlnS the surplus among the several states.
The objections to such policy are so numer-
Gus and important that it might as we'll be dis
missed. Its own advocates admit that iC has
little or no strength with the next congress,
and reduction OF the surplus cannot be post
poned with safety.
Not by a system of lavish appropriation for
the improvement of rivers and harborS. Such
an emphatic reDuke was given at the ballot-bOX
to the last river and harbOr job that it will re-
gulre bold congress to venture upon Its repe-
"Not by schemes of steamship subsidy for
these also have fallen under the weight of pub
lie condemnation
The only practical legislation remain
ing, it is urged, is the careful revision
of the tariff. There must be more i'm
ports on the free list; and then it will
be seen that lowering the productive
duties will make the reduction of the
surplus slow enough to cause no en-
barrassment of finances. While it
will inflict no injury on any branch of
business, it will give relief to many
manufacturers in opening to them
the world market for raw materials.
1t will relieve the people gradually
and surely of an incalculable load of
taxation, OF which there is no record
in the treasury, but which is felt by
every consumer in the enhanced cost
OF the necessaries of life, and it will,
at the same time, give mighty i'm
petus to the trade of the country.
When the tariff is finally put upon q
revenue basis it will become eXpedi-
ent to repeal the internal revenue sys-
TEN, for it would be an extravagant
waste of administrative energy to
maintain two establishments for COL
lecting taxes when one would suffice.
But, it is urged, to make
total repeal of the whisky
and tobacco taxes, and to leave
the burdensome protective duties
undisturbed would begin reduction Of
the treasury surplus at the wrong
end. Whatever else may be said of
the taxes on whisky and tobacco, they
were levied for revenue only" which
cannot be said for half the duties in
the tariff list. That the tax on spirits is
too high for those who use them in
manufactures and the arts is admitted
But this tax cannot be reduced to a
reasonable rate while lowering the
scale of protective duties on imports.
By gradual and prudent steps the goal
will be reached in a tariff providing
revenue only for the needs of a gov
ernment honestly and economically
administered, in the repeal of the in
ternal tax system, and in the final
disappearance of the enormous treas
ury surplus The first step should be
the revision of the tariff by the con-
gress that meets in December, and
after that all the rest will be easy.
But the poorest way to begin such
revision would be by the election of
Sam Randall as speaker. Such an
election would defeat all tariff re-; +;
vision, and in the end it would ruin
the Democratic party, to which people
look for relief, it is hoped, not in vain-