The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-12-30
THE SURPLUS.
What Can he Done with 1T

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Several state
ments have been noticed of late concerning
the fact that but few Of the remaining out
standing Government bonds can be paid of for
the next few years, and therefore the revenues
will accumulate in the Treasury at a fearful
rate, endangering the business interests of the
country by reason of the contraction OF the
currency thereby caused.
Some writers have recommended that the tax
on liquors be entirely discontinued and other
taxes reduced, in order TO prevent the disas-
trous consequences alluded 20. Otherwise, il is
claimed that all sorts of jobs and grabs will have
10 be resorted TO in order 10 get the money out OF
Uncle Sans strong box.
Now, / wonder if there are not some good
honest things that can be done TO disburse the
money among the people for some time 10 come,
without either reducing the taxes greatly or
resorting TO jobbery.
Suppose, for instance that Congress should
pass an equalization OF bounty lava measure of
common honesty delayed already score of years
too long; delayed until very many of the boys
who looked in vain through weary years for the
balance SO hardly earned. SO richly deserved,
and so wrongfully withheld, have answered TIE
last roll-call, and justice can never be done
them. This measure would scatter few dol
lars among the people, where it would do the
most good, and pay an honest debt long past
due at the same time.
Suppose. again, that the law should be so
changed that the shameful little pittances OF
two. three, four, or six dollars a month doled
out TO sick and disabled soldiers should be raised
10 a respectable amount. Men who dared death
! for their country; who gave OF their best
strength and manhood that she might live;
who gave up position, business and their best
! prospects for life for the service; who lost
health aud cut down the years of their lives by
! the hardships they endured; such men are
deserving of something, or else none are de-
serving of anything ut the hands of the Gov
eminent. III they are deserving Of anything
they deserve more than such mean little pit
tances, aud il is an insult TO. the veterans 10
offer such returns for their loss of health aud
shortening of life. Do justice by the veteran
pensioners and the revenues will not be so much
too large.
Furthermore let the laws be so amended that
the many deserving ones who cannot now obtain
pensions on account of the death OF losing track
of witnesses, or on account Of being required 10
| prove up useless points can obtain justice, and
sothat they need not apply to Congress special
acts, aud then, perhaps have them vetoed by
dislOyal President, hOisted into power by the
men against whom they were compelled to
fight.
When these and perhaps some other kindred
reforms are wrought, then LET the Government
adopt postal telegraphy and disburse some mil
lions among the people in the erection OF lines
throughout the country, and SO rescue the
people from the grasp of oppressive monopoly.
Understand, am not pleading at all for the
retention of the liquor tax. The sooner the Gov
| eminent can cease to live off the ubiquitous
traffic the better, aud the sooner the traffic is
| itself wiped out by the Government the
| better.
What plead for is, that substantial justice
be done by the Government 10 all its subjects
before we begin TO talk Of dangerous accumula-
tions of revenue.-THEo. III. MACK, Sterling
Ill