Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-12-08
From the Richmond State of Monday evening
Presidents Message.
A STRONG AND POINTED DoCuMENT-THE
RELATIONS WITH OTHER COUNTRIES
ALL RIGHT.
STRONGLY IN FAVOR OF REVENUE
REFORM.

e.
REFORM.
Mastery Consideration of This Vital Sub
ject-The Silver Question. Etc.
Especial from United Press.
WASHINGTON, December 6.-The Presi-
dent opens with the usual survey of foreign
relations. Referring to the Cutting case he
argues that Mexico's pretensions are inva-
sive of the jurisdiction of this Government,
and the principle therein set forth, if allow
ed, would be dangerous to eur citizens in
foreign lands.
He dwells strongly on the necessity Of the
Government keeping watchful and pro-
tecting care over its citizens even though
they are in foreign lands. The President
trusts that in the interests of good neigh
borhood the statute referred to will be so
modified as to eliminate tho present posi-
bilities OF danger to the peace Of the two
countries. He recommends placing the
consular service on better footing, and
urges the necessity of some mode of in
spection and report of the manner in which
the consulates are conducted. He trusts
international copyright will receive the at
tention it deserves by Congress. Hefavors
central bureau for the registration Of nat
uralizsd citizens.
THE TARIFF.
|, Reaching domestic affairs, the first SUBJ
ject discussed is the tariff, and to this the
President devotes q great deal of space,
arguing that the necessity for reduction
Of the tariff is more urgent than ever. The
income Of the Government, he says, by It's
increased volume and through economies
in its collection is now more than ever in
excess of public necessities. The applica-
ton of the surplus to the payment of such
portion of the public debt as is now at our
option, subject to extinguishment, if con-
tinued at the rate which has lately prevail
ed, would retire that class of indebtedness
within less than one year from this date.
Thus continuation of our present revenue
system would soon result in the receipt of
an annual income much greater than is nee
essary to meet Government expenses, with
no Indebtedness upon which it could be ap-
Piled We should then be confronted with
vast quantity of money: the circulating
medium of the people, boarded in the Trea-
sury when it should be in their hands, or
we should be drawn into wasteful public
extravaganza with all the corrdpting nation
q! decentralization which follows in its train.
surplus and its threatened attendant evils
which furnish the strongest argument
against our present scale of Federal taxa
ton. Its worst phase is the exaction ofsuch
surplus through perversion of the re-
lations between the people and their Gov
eminent and dangerous departure from
the rules which limit the right of Federal
taxation, Good government and essential
ly the Government of which every Ameri-
can citizen boasts, has for its objects the
protection of every person within its care in
the greatest liberty consistent with the good
order of society, and his perfect security in
the enjoyment of his earnings, with the
least possible diminution for public needs.
When more of the peoples substance is ex-
acted through the form of taxation than is
necessary to meet the just obligations of the
Government and the expense of its econcm-
ical administration, such exaction becomes
ruthless extortion and violation of the
fundamental principles of free govern
ment. The indirect manner in which these
exactions are made has tendency to con-
ceal their true character and their extent.
But we have arrived at stage of super
fluous revenue which has aroused the pso-
pie to a realisation of the fact that the
amount raised prefessedly for the support
Of the Government is paid by them as sb-
solutely, if added to the price of the things
which supply their daily wants, as if it was
paid al fixed period into the hand of the
tax-gatherer. Those who toll for their daily
wages are beginning to understand that
capital, though sometimes Wanting its i'm
pertance and clamoring for the protection
and favor of the Government, is dull and
sluggish till touched by the magical hand of
labor, when it springs INTO activity, furnish
ing an occasion for Federal taxation and
gaining the value which enables it to bear
its burdens. And the laboring man is
thoughtfully inquiring whether in these cir
and considering the tribute he
constantly pays into the public Treasury as
he supplies his daily wants, he receives his
suspicion abroad that the surplus of onr rev.
business profits, which, under the system
without corresponding benefit to the peo-
pie at large, the vast aecumulations of a few
among our citizens whose fortunes, rivaling
the wealth of the most favored in anti
Democratic nations, are not the natural
growth Of a steady, plain, and industrious
republic. Our farmers, too, and those en-
gagged directly and indirectly in supplying
the products of agriculture, see that day by
day, and as often as the daily wants of their
households recur they are forced to pay ex-
cessive and needless taxation, while their
products struggle in foreign markets with
the competition of nations, which, by allow
ing freer exchange of productions than
We permit, enable their people to sell for
prices which distress the American farmer.
As every patriotic citizen rejoiees in the
constantly increasing pride of our people in
American citizenship, and in the glory of
our national achievements and progress, a
sentiment prevails that the leading strings
useful to nation ininfancy may well be to a
great extent discarded in the present stage
of American ingenuity, courage aud fear
less self-reliance; and for the privilege of
indulging this sentiment with true Ameri-
can enthusiasm our citizens are quite will
ing to forego an idle surplus in the public
Treasury. And all the people know that
the average rate Of Federal taxation upon
imports is to-day, in time of peace, but
little less, while upon some articles of nee
cessary consumption it is actually more,
than was imposed by the grieveus burden
willingly borne at time when the Gov
eminent needed millions to maintain by
war the safety and integrity of the Union.
It has been the policy of the Government
to collect the principal part of its revenues
by tax upon imports; and no change in
this policy is desirable. But the present
condition of affairs constrains our people to
demand that by revision of our revenue
laws the receipts of the Government shall
be reduced to the necessary expenses of its
economical administration, and the demand
should be recognised and obsyed by the
peoples representatives in the legislative
branch of the Government. In readjusting
the burdens of Federal taxation a sound
public policy requires that such of our citi-
zens as have built up large and important
industries under present conditions should
not be suddenly and to their injury deprived
of advantages to which they have adapted
their business; but, if the public good re-
quires it, they should be content with such
consideration as shall deal fairly and eau
tiously with their interests, while the just