Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1886-12-10
compared with the previous year, were % fol-

tIO2. Ile income OF the government WIZ
its increased volume and thorough economies
in its collection. ie now more than ever in OK
cess of public necessities. The application Of
the surplus to the payment of such portion Of
the public debt as is now at our option. sub
ject to extinguishment. II continued at the
rate which has lately prevailed, would retire
that class of Indebtedness within less than
one year from this date. Thus q continue
ton of our present revenue would soon
result in the receipt of an annual income
much greater than necessary to meet govern.
ment expenses. with no Indebtedness upon
which it could be applied. We should then
be confronted with vast quantity Of money
the circulating medium Of the people, boarded
in the treasury when it should be in their
hands or VIC should be drawn into wasteful
public extravaganza with all the corrupting
national decentralization which follows in its
train. But 1t ia not the simple existence
of the surplus and it's threatened attendant
evils, which furnish the strongest argument
against our present scale OF
FEDERAL TAXATION.
Its worst phase is the exaction Of such
surplus through a perversion of the relations
between the people and their governments
dangerous departure from the rules which
limit the right of federal taxation. Gosd
government. of which every American citizen
boasts. has for It's objects the protection Of
every person within its borders with the
greatest liberty consistent with the good OF
the country, and his perfect security
In the enjoyment of his earn.
ings, with the least possible
diminutlon for the public needs. When more
OF the peoples sustenauce is exacted through
the form of taxation than is necessary to meet
the just demands OF the government. and the
expense Of it's economical administration, such
action becomes ruthless extorton, and viola
ton OF the fundamental principles Of free
government. The indirect manner in which
these exactions are made has q tendency to
conceal their true character and their extent.
But we have arrived st stage OF superhuous
revenue. which has aroused the people to q
realization of the fact that the amount raised
professedly for the support OF the government
is paid by them as absolutely, If added to the
price OF the things which supply their daily
wants, as if it was paid at fixed periods into
the hands of the tax gatherer. Those who
toll for daily wages are beginning tc under
stand that capital, though sometimes vaupt-
ing It's importance and clamoring for the pro-
lection and favor Of the government, is dull
and sluggish till, toned by
THE MAGICAL WAND OF LABOR,
1t springs into activity, and furnishing an &C.
casion for federal taxation and gaining the
value which enables it to bear its
burden. and the laboriDg man
is thoughtfully inquirng whether
in these circumstances, and considering the
tribute he constantly pays into the public
treasury as he supplies his daily wants. he re-
ceiyes his fair share Of advantages. There Il
also a suspicion abroad that the surplus Of
our revenues indicate abnormal and excep-
tiona( BUSINESS profits, which, under the sys-
TEN which produces such surplus, increases,
without corresponding benefit to the people at
large, tae vast Accommodations Of q f." among
our citizens whose fortunes, rivalIing the
wealth Of the most favored in anti-de mocrati1
nations, are not the natural growth OF steady,
plata and industrious republic Our farm
ers, too, and those engaged directly and
indirectly in supplying the products OF a2ri
culture see that day by day, and as often as
the daily wants of their households recur,
they are forced to pay excessive and needless
taxation, while their products struggle in for
eiga markets with the competition of nations
which, by allowing freer exchange Of pro-
auctions than W. permit ell ale their people
to cell for prices which distress
THE AMERICAN FARMER.
As every ra'r'ot: citizen rcjuices in the con-
stanll5 increasing pride OF our people in
American citizenAhip ara in the glory of our
national achievements aud pIogress, semi
ment prevails that The leading strings 4 ~eful to
q nation in its Infancy may we'll. 10 q great
extent, be discarded in the present stage Of
American ingenuity, courage, end fcorless
ecIl-IClldhft' oHt ZOE INC FIivli'ec oi ii'ih' Z
iDg ibis sentiment with iruc American en- hus-
iasm ougpcopIe are quite "iilin. to fore % an
idle rur4 us in the public Treasury; and al
tho people Know that the average rate Of fed
eral taxation upon i'll ports is today, in time
Of peace, ,ut little leg, while upon some ar.
ticles OF necessary con- nm ption 1t is actually
more, than was imposed by the gricv-
Gus burden Willingly borne az a
nmc when the government decided
!,
lenri!y Of tho --.-.- 5i1tcs. 1t has been the
policy CT the govcrni!cI TO collect the p:nc-
pa part of its rcv.'ica ~ a tax uIon imp,tt+
aJsd no ca ny; i'll til p ,iicy is deriratle. bn,
the present coutiton IT :{fairs constaius oar
people to demand that by revision Of our
revenue lava the recciyla Of the goverDnl ent
shall b" rcduc-tl to tnc necessary expense OF
ia economical atom, and this d"ln1nd
s;,nn:A be 1ecngniz"d and obeyed by the pco-
pc y II pIcs i've" il the egisis i've branch
Of I'll" government. In rcadjusting
the bar6cns Of federal taxation sound
Lnbc policy rcqIircs that such Of
orr citizens rs have built up large aad i'm
porSant industries under present rondiiions
fho"ld not be suddenly, and 10 their injury,
deprived Of advantages to which they have
adapted their business. But If the public
good requitcs it, they should be content with
sucs, consideration as soaIl dcalfairly and eau
mands of the people for relief from needless
| taxation is honestly answered, reasonable
and timely submission to such a demand
should certainly be possible
WITHOUT DISASTROUS SHOCK
TO any interest; and cheerful concession
sometimes ayerts abrupt and needless action,
often the oufgrowth OF impotence and delayed
Justice. Due regard should be also accorded
in any proposed reaojustmeDt to the interests
- leh. faS % 70
We congratulate ourselves that there Is among
us mo laboring class, fixed within unyielding
bounds, and doomed under all conditions to
the memorable fate of daily TOLL We rccog-
nze in labor chief factor in the wealth OF
the rcpub bic, and we theat those who have it
in heir keeping as citizens, en-,
titled to the most careful regard and
thoughtful attention. This regard and atten-
ton should be awarded them, not only because
labor is the capital of our workipgmen, justly
entitled to it's share of government favor, but
for the further and not less Important reason,
that the ]aboriDg man, surrounded by his
family in his humble home, az consumer, is
vitality interested in oil that cheapens the cost
Of living and enables him to bri: within his
domicie additional comforts and advantages.
This relation OF the worklngman 10 the rev.
enue la gs OF the country; aud the manner in
which it palpably Influences the question OF
wages should not be forgotten in the jus.fh-
able prominence given to the proper main
tenance Of the supply and protection OF we'll
paid labor. And these considerations suggest
such an arrangement Of government revenues
as shall
REDUCE THE EXPENSE or LIVING,
while it does not curtail the opportunity for
work, nor reduce the compensation OF Ameri-
can labor and injunousiy afec, its condition
and the dignifed place ii holds in the estima-
,iop OF oar people. But our farmers and agri-
cuIturis,s, those who from the soil produce
h ID h.