The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1884-01-02
BLAINE's SURPLUS. PLAN.
Congressman Potter Objects To the state,
Distributing scheme.

Congressman Potter Objects Ia the States
Distributing scheme.
NEW YORK, Dec. 3l.-Congressman O..
b. Potter has written the following let
ter TO Hon. j. II, Flanders, on Mr..
Blaine's proposition TO distribute the
surplus f1nd:
"fhe suggestions OF your let ers are in
sharp and cheering contrast % the
craftsmanship which has governed the
country for the past twenty years. and
which now expresses itself through one
OF its leaders, recently second In office
only 10 the chief magistrate OF the ma.
tl0n. In the proposition ~ govern
mental pOllcy--that taxes be levied by
the National Government beyond and IN
excess Of tho wants OF that Government,
for the full exercise Of all its just pow
ers, namely upon the productions and
industry OF q majority OF the States and
people In order TO divide them between
The people OF all the states. and thus
enable some OF the states, through the
taxpaying power OF the general Govern
lnent, TO draw the expenses of their
own state Government, IN whole or part
from the people and industries OF other
states OF this Union. The very langu
age and crOwning arguments OF this
eminent statesman In regard 10 hss own
state, In In Maine, for example, our
share would enable us 10 repeal absO.
lutely the State tax proper, leaving only
the county aud town tayes upon the
people,
"fhis he makes clear by a table an-
nexed 10 his statement, by which he
shows that the distributive share Of
Maine OF the taxes which he proposes to
divide among the States for the last
fiscal year would be Sl,l3i,0O0. while
Tho entire amount OF tho same taxes
paid into tho National Treasury by that
State for tho same year was. IN shown
by the report Of the Commissioner OF In.
ternal Revenue, but S2D,37s. showing u
net profit 10 Maine, nll 10 be made
from the Industries aud business Of 9th.
or States, OF $l,l03,622 In single year.
ut IN evident that this stateamnnship,
carried but q step further and made to
Include other products not produced or
used 10 any large extent In Maine,
would relieve that State from town Of
county taxes also, aud leave lts people
In the clear receipt OF sufficient in-
come beyond, drawn from other States
for educational aud religious culture Of
all her people.
81 thank you for your letter. and
wish you Godspeed In your efforts to
bring about u public opinion which
shall insist that the revenue OF the na.
tlon be henceiorth employed with
honesty and economy for national and
constitutional ends. Among these none
are more important NJ this time than
the restoration Of our navy and coast
defense TO n condition Of efficiency and
strength worthy us IN tho leading pow.
or OF thla continent, and soon, II true TO
our opportunities, OF the world. A suf.
llciencand efficient navy In the hand
maid and protector OF ocean com.
merce.
Until wo have such navy we shall
noyer.agnin have 0coan commerce com.
mensurnte 10 tho yaatnesa OF our pro.
ductiyo resources both In field and work.
shop. TIL then we shall remain ok
cluded from our just influence among
the nations, and from the higher and
broader development and culture ~ u
people which comes from commercial
intercourse with an aroused and pro-
greaslyo world"