The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-12-06
soldier, interests in Peril.


Soldiers Interests in Peril.
The declaration by Mr.. Blaine in his re-
cent letter 10 the editor of the Philadelphia
Press, that the surplus in the Treasury, due
chiefly to the excess Of revenue from taxes
on spirits and tobacco over the current ex-
penses of the Government, should be redis-
tributed 10 the States in the ratio of popu-
lation, calls attention afresh TO the greatest
danger with which our ex-soldiers have to
contend in securing at the hands of Congress
the fulfllment of the sacred promises volun-
tarily made them by the Government. Yiru-
lent as is the opposition of the secular press
10 the passage of the pension and bounty
laws which are necessary to the execution
Of the contract with the soldier, and malig-
nant as are the ISLANDERS of which he is made
the victim at the hands of both press and
politician, the hostility to his claims which
proceeds from this quarter is Of small conse-
quence as compared with The attempt which
is about TO be made, and of which Mr..
Blaine's proposition is a certain indication,
TO so dispose of the surplus in the Treasury
as 10 render it unavailable for the payment
of the debt honestly due the soldier It
would be Improbable and unnecessary at
the present time to dilate at any length
upon Mr. Blaines proposition. It is, in it
self. unworthy of statesman of such repu-
tstion and talents as he, and we note that
the Republican and Democratic press con-
denim il, as alike impracticable and uncon-
stitutional II is sufficient for rs to say, at
The present time: First, that it is contrary
to the spirit of the Constitution, which only
empowers Congress to levy taxes for the
support Of the general Government; second,
that the method of distribution which it
proposes is unjust, since, for instance, if
adopted, il would apportion to the State of
Maine. wbich-inasmuch as the sale of liquor
is prohibited within Its confines pays no
proportion Of the taxes on liquor, and is,
therefore, not entitled 20 share in this redis-
tribution, more than million dollars; and,
third, that it would be destructive of the
independence of the States rs well as de-
moralizing TO the local taxpayer. If the
| people Of this country should once become
accustomed TO looking TO the general Gov
eminent for either part or the whole of the
revenue necessary for the support of their
State governments, they would soon lose
the sense Of obligation which they now feel
to sustain by taxation their local govern
ments, and the union Of the States would
cease 10 be anything more than mere SEN
timentality. The country would become
an empire, and from this dependence upon
the National Government for support it
would be but 3 step 10 dependence upoa Con-
| gress for local legislation. and we might ex-
/ pect TO see, IS a natural consequence, a revolt
or secession Of the remote States and Terri
tories which now form part of the Union.
There is no danger, however, that Mr..
Blaine's proposition win ever be adopted,
either By Congress or by the party of which
he is 50 distinguished a leader. The danger
which threatens the interests of cur ex-
soldiers does not lie in any such
proposition as Mr.. Blaine1s to dispose Of
the existing surplus in the Government
j Treasury, but rather in the opinion which
) seems TO faint both parties that this surplus
is a public evil.
Now, SO far from regarding this surplus AZ
an eyil-THE TRIBUNE regards il as 9
great blessing. And wby2 Because It af
fords the means cut of which, should Con
gress pass the necessary legislation, payment
) may be msde to the soldier of deb
which, in our Judgment, is even NOR,
: sacred than that to the bondholder and
which the Government is in equity ever
under greater obligation to pay to tn
utmost penny.
What does this surplus amount TO
On the 1st OF November the book
Of the Treasury showed that the casl
/. balance available at that date was s161,
!, 4s3,483.22 The funded debts of the Gov
|. eminent at the same time, payable at III
option Of tbe Government, amounted to
trife over s30oo00,0o0, consisting mostl
Of per cent bonds. In the year 1s9
se50o00o00 of AZ per cents. viii becom
due, 50 that within the next seven years !
viii be within the power of the Govern
= ment TO call in s550.0oO,0O of its secmitie,
d Leaving ont of the question, therefore, Ii
z outstanding obligations TO the soldier whic
n it is the duty of the Government to redeem
T. The amount of bonds rcdeemable betwee
d cow and The year 1891 is nearly sufficient /
q absorb the entire estimated surplus Of reye