The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-07-19
A MISSION OF DEMOCRACY.

One of the arguments of the pro-
tectionists is, that decreased tariffs
reduce the receipts of government.
On the other hand, experience has
taught that the cheapening OF any
commodity incr, asses its consumption,
and through this means revenue
from low taxation is increased, in
stead of diminished. New revenue
rates that went into effect May l
prove the truth of this. The repeal
of bank taxes went into effect imme-
diately upon the passage of the act;
but, as these taxes are payable semi
annually, the revenue from this source
was not materially affected in May.
The decrease in bank taxes paid, as
compared with the corresponding
month of the previous year, was
$S4,049. But the levenue from
manufactured tobacco during May
increased $22O,527, although The
tax had been greatly reduced. Cigars
which had been taxed ST
thousand, paid but So after
May l, yet during that month the
revenue from cigars, owing to vast
" increased consumption, was $ll9,-
500 greater than in May of the pre-
vious year. The loss of revenue on
cigarettes was $31 $3.50, or about 30 per
cent, while the tax was reduced from
S1.75 to 80 cents, or 20 per cent. The
revenue ON snuff, chewing and
smoking tobacco was increased $685.
$40, although the tax was reduced
from Is to cents pound. Aside
from the slight decrease in revenue
from cigarettes, the result of reducing
the tobacco tax appears to be the aug
menting of the receipts of the govern
ment. Even the reduction of 40 per
cent in taxes on dealers and manufac-
turers has had no other effect than to
increase considerably the number of
persons who pay these taxes, the
shrinkage in the amount received be-
ing slight. This increase of revenue
does not arise from the payment of
large sums as taxes on goods with
held from consumption until the law
took effect; the drawback allowed to
manufacturers and dealers obviated
all necessity for such action on their
part. 1t represents the additional
volume of trade and consumption
stimulated by lower taxes, and hence
lower prices, and it covers a principle
that no government can with safety
repudiate 1t is the duty of all gov
ernments to cheaper, when in their
power, the general commodities of
trade. TOpursue the reverse course
to take from the people that which is
unnecessary, to even give what is
thus taken to the suStenance of I'M
popular monopolieS-is tyranny on the
part of authority to which power has
been delegated. No government Gun
b. popular which fixes taxation so as
to he onerouS to the masses. Nothing
SO soon destroys love of government
and leads to lack of patriotism
as onerouS taxation, and
when it is imposed so as
to exclude foreign products, that
the manufacturers of similar pro
ducts at home may pocket the tariff
instead of the government, despotlc
power for the few is established,
while the many are driven every year
deeper into poverty. The monopo-
lists grow rich upon the distresse5 of
the poor, and privileged classes, in
hibited by the constitution, are fos
tered and fed, and they become the
most potent agencies in encompaSsing
the destruction of our established or
der of government. In Texas we can
hardly understand how this may be.
Here, on our rich lands and free prai-
ries, plenty smiles upon the indus
trious; but at the North, where great
monopOlieS have been built up
through the fostering influence of
government, the miSeries of the poor
are apparent. No wonder labor
troubles are chronic condition of
society there. The productive power
of labor has benefited the
few, who are kindly placed
under the protecting wing Of govern
ment, while the laboring consumers
these people who pay the monopo-
lists 45 per cent, or more, on all they
eat, drink and wear, though produced
by themselves-grow more and more
dependent, become more and more de-
PRAYED because of increasing poverty,
love society less because it frowns
upon them, and finally despise govern
ment and country because of unjust
determinations. The country must
go back to simpler methods
the masses must be relieved con-
sumers must be shown that unceas-
ing toll is not the product of scanty
subsistence for themselves and of
plenty and untold wealth for the few;
the hearts of people must beat in at
lection for the country that protects
all alike. Reduced taXation-state as
well as federal = must be the rule.
The cry of public deficiencies will no
longer do; federal and state vaults
are overlooking with surplus, idle
funds; and reduction in taxa
tion, it is proven, does not decrease
revenue receipts. Property. and
labor should contribute alike
to revenue, but under this Ubiquitous
system the money of monopolists is
exempt, while labor, under the pre-
tense of tariff for the government,
pays an enormous tax to the pro-
tected. The mission of the Democ-
racy is to change this order; to re-
lieve the people, to arouse afresh;
because of the exercise of justice and
a renewed love of coun-
try in the hearts of the masses.