Mexico weekly ledger., 1883-03-15

THE RESULTS OF THE SESSION.
For some time there has been an
immense national surplus, inviting
prodigality and corruption in govern
mental administration. This unnec-
essary condition of the treasury IS the
result of excessive taxation, and its
effect is visible in almost every one of
the one hundred thousand partisan
office holders in the employ of gov
ernment, as well as in those that di-
rectly control legislation. Never be-
fore was the clamor of the whole civil
service for retention Of position
greater.
At the commencement of the Forty
seventh Congress, in response to pop
ular demand, both the President and
the Secretary of the Treasury called
the attention of that body and the
republican majority of it to the I'M
satisfactory financial condition of the
country; but beyond appointing a
commission to revise the tariff. moth
ing was done last summer to remedy
it. Practically, at least, and for the
time being, the cry for relief arising
from intolerable exaction vas smoth-
cred. Instead of economy, there was
increased prodigality. In place of
diminishing outlay, ingenuity was
racked to discover new channels of
expenditure. Appropriations were
seventy-fve millions greater than ever
before. The logical result Of all this
was defeat Of the Republican party |
and the election of a Democratic |
House.
When Congress r%e-convened this
winter, the Senate undertook the work
Of providing for a much-needed relief.
1t amended the legislation of the
House, lowered the duties on many
articles Of import and lessened the
amount Of the internal revenue. But
when this bill was returned to House
it was referred to a conference com
mittee, greatly altered and finally
passed, as amended at the close of
the session.
The bill, thus hastily gotten up, is
full of errors, and Is incomplete and
unintelligable in many Of its details.
When the vote was finally taken up
on it, there was neither time nor OPP
portunity for investigation Or debate.
The dominant party in the House was
wholly incompetent to deal with a
matter Of such vast importance, and
the friends Of the great monopolist
corporations carried the day. The
greatest beneficiaries are the bankers
and brokers. Although the best able
of all to stand taxation on account of
their special privileges, they were re-
lieved to the extent of over twelve
millions; but the country will look ia
vain for a corresponding reduction in
their charges for loans. Moreover,
the payment of the taxes from which
they have been relieved compelled
them to make annual report of their
loans, capital, deposits and securities,
and their release from this obligation
will destroy the only reliable source
of information about such matters
the country has ever had. The next
greatest beneficiaries are the match
and patent medicine proprietors.
The amendment made in the inter-
nal revenue bill will most probably be
allowed not only to stand, but will be
carried forward hereafter until the
whole of this war-tax inheritance shall
be abolished, and agriculturalists
have been placed upon the footing of
the bankers. The case will be far
different, however, with that portion
Of the bill that relates to the tariff.
A general revision of its provisions
may be looked for at the next session
OF congress, or as 500 thereafter
as the workings of its rates and class
ifications have been developed. 1t is
impossible that such schedules can be
final. Upon many articles essential
to cheap manufactures, high duties
have been placed, while spices and
other articles of luxury used mainly
by the rich and effeminase are attach
ed to the free list.
Whether the bill passed is the re-
suit of republican ~imbecility, Or is to
be regarded as an open defiance of
popular sentiment, it is equally often
sive and misehievous. Through the
votes of those that should have been
foremost in checking them, the great
monopolist manufacturing corpora
tons have triumphed, and for another
year and until the tariff is reduced,
high prices will be maintained.
1t is stated upon good authority
that Lolita, the frisky little actress,
is to marry W. f. Baker, tile editorial
writer ON the Kansas City Journal.
Although several years her junior,
Mr.. Baker has been desperately in
love with the little lady for a long
time, and she has by no means been
averse to his attentions. The Baker