The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1886-12-09
FEDERAL TAXATION.
REDUCTION RECOMMENDED.

tton was directed to the fact that the revenues
Of the government exceed its actual need, and it
was suggested that legislative action should be
taken to relieve the people of the unnecessary
burden Of taxation thus made apparent. In
view OF the pressing Importance Of the subject
deem 1t my duty to again urge its considera-
ton. The income of the government, with it's in
creased volume and through economies in it's
collection, Is now more than ever Ill excess Of
public necessities. The application of the sur
plus to the payment OF such portion of the pub
lie debt as is now at our option, subject to ex-
tinguishment II continued at tn rate which has
debtedness within less than one year from this
date. Thus a continuation Of our present rev.
enue would soon result IN the receipt OF an
| annual income much greater than neces-
eary to meet government expenses with no
indebtedness upon which 1t could be applied
We should then be confronted with a vast guam
tity of money. the circulating medium OF the
people. boarded in the treasury. when it should
be in their hands. or we should be drawn into
wastetul public extravaRance with all the Cor
rupting national decentralization which follows
In its train. But 1t is not the simple existence
Ut this surplus and Its threatened attendant
evils which furnish the strongest argument
worst phase is the exaction Of such a surplus
through perversion of the relations between
the people and their government, dangerous
departure from the rules which limit the right
of federal taxation. Good government. OF which
everv American citizen boasts. has for it's objects
the
PROTECTION OF EVERY PERSON
within Its borders with the greatest liberty con-
sistent with the good OF the country. and his
perfect security IN the ENJOYMENT OF his earn
public needs. When more of the peoples sus-
tenancs Is exacted through the form of taxat ton
than ls necessary to meet the just obligations Of
the government and the expense OF its econom-
icnl administration, such action becomes ruth
less extortion. and violation of the funda-
indirect manner in which these exactions are
made has tendency to conceal their true char
actcr and their extent: but we have arrived at a
Stage OF t smPernuous revenue which has
ton '' Of the the fact tpe that the a aea'lat
raised professedly for the support of the govern
the price Of the things which supply their daily
wants. as il it were paid at fixed periods into the
hands OF the tax gatherer Those who toll for
daily wages are beginning to understand that
capital, though sometimes Wanting its impor-
lance and clamorng for the protection and favor
OF the government. is dull and sluggish till.
into activity, furnishing an occasion for federal
taxation and gaining the value which enables it
to bear its burden; and the laboring man is
cumstances and considering the tribute
he constantly pays into the public treas
Spey ra as he supplies his daily wants,
There is also a suspicion abroad that the sur
plus Of our revenues indicates abnormal and ex-
ceptional business profits, which under tho ays-
tenn which produces such surplus increase with
out corresponding
BENEFIT TO THE PEOPLE
at large the vast accumuatfons Of a few among
our citizens whose fortunes, rivalinR tho wealth
OF the most favored in anti-democratic nations.
are not the natural growth Of steady. plain
and industrious republic Our farmers. too.
and those engaged directly and indirectly in
supplying the products of agriculture. see that
day by day, and often as the daily wants of
their households recur. they are forced to pay
excessive and needless taxation, while their
products struggle in foreign markets with the
competition OF nations which, by allowing
freer exchange Of productions Than We permit,
enable their people to sell for prices which dis
tress the American farmer. As every patriot G
citizen rejoices in the constantly increasing
pride of our people in American citizenship and
In the glory of our national achievements and
prOVress. q sentiment prevails that the leading
| strings useful to nation in it's infancy may
we'll to = great extent, be discarded in the pres
and fearless self-reliance: and for the
privilege of indulging this sentiment with true
American enthusiasm our citizens are quite will
ing to forcgo an idle surplus in the public treas
ury, and all the people know that the average
rate OF federal taxation upon imports is to-day,
some articles OF necessary consumption it Is
actually more. than was imposed by the grievous
burden willingly borne at u time when the gov
eminent needed millions to maintain by war the
| safety and integrity of the United States It
has been the policy Of the government to collect
the principal part of it's revenues by q tax upon
imports, and no change in the policy is desira-
BILE. But the present condition Of Alters con-
strains our people to demand that BY revision
OF our revenue laws inc receipts OF the govern
ment shall be reduced to the necessary expense
of it's economical administration. and this de-
mand should be recognized and obeyed by the
peoples representatives in the legisl tive
branch OF the government In readjusting the
BURDENS OF FEDERAL TAXATION
a sound public policy requires that such of our
citizens as have built up large ana import ant
industries under the present condition should
not be suddenly and to their injury deprived Of
advantages to which they have adapted their
business: but II the public good requires 1t,
they should be content with such consideration
as shall deal fairly and cautiously with their
! interests. While the just demand OF the people
| for relief from needless taxation Is homes lv
| to such a demand should certainly be possible
without disastrous shock to any interest; and
| = cheerful concession sometimes avcrts abrupt
and needless action often the outgrowth Of i'm
should be also accorded in any proposed read
| justment to the interests of American labor so
| far as they are involved. We congratulate our
selves that there Is among us no laboring class
fixed within unyieldine bounds and doomed
| Of daily toll. We recognize in labor
| chief factor in the wealth OF the re-
| public and we treat those who have it
for their Keeping az citizens entitled the most
careful regard and thoughtful attention. This
| regard and attention should be awarded them,
not only because labor is the capital of our
workingman. justly entitled to its share Of
government favor, but for the further and not
less important reason that the laboring man,
as q consumer 10 vitality interested in Ill that
cheapens the cost Of living and enables him to
bring within his dOmicile additional comforts
and advantages. This relation Of the working
manner in which it .palpably influences the
question Of wages should not be forgotten In tho
tusti1able prominence given to the proper main.
tenanee OK the supply and projection Of we'll