The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-01-03

Yet the Republicans, with very rare
exceptions, unite in the shout. Don
reduce appropriations"
There is an unemployed surplus of more
than 800, 100000 now in the Treasury.
The Secretary of the Treasury estimates
that the surplus revenue for the fiscal
year ending next June will be $3.50, 00O,-
900. From the decrease of the interest
on the debt and the natural increase of
business, this surplus is likely to be
larger than smaller in succeeding years
unless taxation is reduced. In seven
years this annual surplus, even if not
increased, will reach 1896. 900, 900, or
over 800. 100000 more than enough to
redeem all the bonds then possibly re-
deemable without paying high premi-
umS. The Secretary saws the same an
nual surplus until july l, 1907, with the
S100,000,000 left after paying the Al
per cents. would amount to about ST.
400, 900, 900, while the whole amount of
debt then redeemable is less than S749,-
100000.
Yet the cry is raised by the Presi-
dent and re-echoed generally by the
Republican party: Don't reduce the
surplusi"
Prodigal expenditures, profigate ap-
preparations and a surplus beyond all
our indebtedness, necessitate unnatural
and oppressive taxation. The people
complain. Business is depressed. The
cost of living is increased. Directly
and indirectly money is squeezed out of
the pockets of the people unnecessarily.
Yet everywhere is heard the ReI ublican
watchward: Don't reduce taxation!'
The Government is to be run on the
high pressure principle. The debt is to
be paid on the high-pressure principle.
The people are to be squeezed on the
high-pressure principle.
To what end? In order that the spec
ial interests which have paid the Re-
publican party for special protection
may continue to enjoy it. In order that
labor, which suffers from the increased
cost of living, may continue to suffer,
and that monopolies and corporations
which have amassed immense fortunes
through the pampering aid of Repub-
licanism may continue to add to their
wealth. In order that the party in pow
er may have control of an enormous
corruption fund as means of bidding
for the support of the greedy and un-
ScrupulOus.
Of course some use must be suggest
ed for the surplus revenue. Establish
Government free schools, say some,
and thus add to the Post-office, Treas
ury and Judicial patronage, stretching
into every township in the Union the
patronage of school-teachers and other
school officers, reaching to every school
district. Give the surplus away to the
States, say others. Let the Federal
Government act as tax collector for the
States, is Mr.. Blaine's proposition. Cut
bitches all over the land and improve
coast defenses, is Secretary Chambers
plan.
But with few honorable exceptions
no Republican voice is heard saying:
reform taxation; reduce extravagant
expenditures; discontinue corrupt sub
sides and appropriations; do not be in
undue haste to pay the debt; relieve
the people and the business of the
country by moderating taxation: give
fair protection to American manufact-
urers; make the cost of living less than
it is. and do not heap unnecessary bur-
dens on the masses for the sole benefit
of the favored few!
The Republican cry is of a different
character. There are factions in the
party-jealous, embittered, revengeful.
But they are all ready to unite in the
watchword: Don't reduce taxation or
appropriathonsr'-N. Y. World.