The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1886-12-10
The Presidents Message.


and good sense. 1t discusses our relations with
foreign countries, with all of which we are at
peace deprecates the cruel treatment of inof-
fensive Chinese, in the Western States and
Territories, and calls attention to the Cutting
incident in Mexico.
THE NATIONAL FINANCES.
The most interesting and important part of
the message is that which treats of our ma
tional finances. The showing for the first
complete year of q Democratic administration
is one of which every man who voted for
change may be proud. The increase on re-
ceipts from customs and revenue for the last
year was $15S41 ,295.04.
This increased revenue cost $64G,552 90
less to collect than such revenue cost in the
preceding year.
EXPENSES OF THE GOVERNMENT.
The expenses ofthe government, too, were
$17,7S9, 797 less than last year, leaving q sur
plus in the treasury of $0s956,5S9.56, as
against a surplus of $685. 463, III .27 at the close
of the previous year.
Decreased expenses are noted in every
branch of government expenditures except
in the pension list. Surely this is good
showing and justifies all that it was claimed
would follow if Cleveland were elected.
OUR FOREIGN EXPORTS,
the message shows, have decreased, particu-
larly of breadstuffs and provisions. The rea-
son for this decrease may be attributed as
much 10 our unjust tariff laws which drive
from our shores the trade of other nations, as
TO the increased production of food by other
countries. These facts afford reason for the
low prices of our farm products.
UNNECESSARY TAXATION
The President calls the especial attention
of Congress to the fact that our revenues ex-
coed our needs and suggests that action be
taken 10 relieve the people from unnecessary
taxation. He pronounces the accumulation
of money in the treasury demoralizing and
adds:
"When more of the peoples substance is ex-
acted through the form of taxation than is ne
cessary TO meet the just obligations of the gov
eminent and the expense OF its economical ad-
ministration, such exacton becomes ruthless
eXtortion and violation of the fundamental
principles of free government"
The message points out the insidious char
acter of taxation through the tariff on i'm
ports and asserts that the price added by the
tariff to the cost of living is paid by the peo-
pie as absolutely as if collected by tax-gather
ers.
The laboring man, he says, sis thoughtful
ly inquiring whether in these circumstances
and considering the tribute he constantly
pays into the public treasury as he supplies
his daily wants, he receives his fair share of
advantages"
Mr.. Cleveland asserts the fact that the aver
age rate of federal taxation upon imports is
to-day, in time of peace, but little less and on
some articles more than was imposed during
the war when the government needed mil
lions to support its armies.
REIMBURSEMENT OF THE TARIFF.
In readjusting the burdens of taxation,
however, Mr.. Cleveland is far from advocat-
ing any policy that would suddenly break up
large and important industries which have
been built up under the present tariff, but he
thinks if the public good requires it they
should be content with fair and cautious con-
sideration of their interests while the demand
of the people for relief is honestly answered.
The interests OF American labor should
also, he says, be considered in the revision of
the tariff, not only because labor is the CAPT
tai ofour workingmen, justly entitled to its
share of government favor, "but for the fur
Their and not less important reason, that the
laboring man, surrounded by his family in his
humble home, as consumer is vitality inter-
ested in all that cheapens the cost of living
and enables him to bring within his domestic
circle additional comforts and advantages"
WORD FOR THE FARMERS.
President Cleveland appreciates the hard
ships of the farmer, in connection with this
tariff question. He says:
"But our farmers and agriculturists-those
who from the soil produce the things consumed
by all-are perhaps more directly and plainly
concerned than any other of our citizens in q
just and careful system of federal taxation.
Those actually engaged in aud more remotely
connected with this kind OF work number near
ly one-half of our population. None labor harder
or more continuously than they. No enactments
limit their hours of toll and no interpostion of
the government enhances to any great extent
the value of their products. And yet for many
of the necessaries and comforts of life, which
the most scrupulous economy enables them to
bring into their homes, and for their implements
of husbandry, they are obliged to pay price
largely increased by an unnatural profit which,
by the action of the government, is given to the
more favored manufacturer"
He recommends every possible encourage
ment by the government to experiments look
ing to the home production, at a low cost, of
articles of food now imported from abroad
Mr.. Cleveland also says:
"The interests of millions of our citizens en-
gagged in agriculture are involved in an enlarge
ment and improvement of the results of their
labor; and Jealous regard for their welfare
should be willing tribute to those whose pro-
ductive returns are main source of our prog
ress and power"
He also hopes that the subject of pleuro-
pneumonia among cattle, affecting as it does
our food supply, will seriously engage the at
tention Of Congress.
THE SILVER PROBLEM.
President Cleveland renews his recommen-
dation to cease the compulsory coinage of
silver, which has accumulated in the treasury
vaults to an extent not needed for use as u
circulating medium.
The message calls renewed attention to the
defenceess condition of our seacost and lake
frontier and urges that effective steps be
taken for their protection.
The President devotes considerable space
to matters pertaining to our public lands and
national forests, and suggests amendments to
the homestead laws in the interests of actual
settlers.
The inequalities in the pension list are also
adverted to. "The men who fought side by
side," says the President, SHOULD stand side
by side when they participate in grateful na-
TONS kind remembrance.
Hcrcnews his recommendation for the ap-
pointment of arbitrator to settle controver-