The Washington critic., 1886-12-13
THE SURPLUS BUGABoo.

THE SURPLUS BUGABoo.
The sunday Gasotte computes the
present number of tax.payers in this
country at $4,000, 900, and by simple
arithmetical calculation shows that
surplus of 800, 600, 900 in the Treasury,
derived from the outrageous and un-
necessary taxation we hear so much
about, really represents burden to
each individual taxpayer of less than
two dollars and sixty eight cents year
or about three quarters of centa day.
II is to be understood, of course, that
the cost Of the tariff to the people Is
not thus equally distributed. Those
who consume most largely of articles
most highly protected bear CORE
spondingly greater proportion of the
taxes thus imposed. To some 1t Is
many dollars; to others but a few
cents. Nor to the country at large Is
1t such hardship that the passage of
even radical revenue reform bill
would materially enhance the general
prosperity by reduction of the ex.
penses of living.
There are doubtless gross irregulari-
ties and inequalities in the tariff that
need to be adjusted, II for no other
reason, to do away as much as possible
with class legislation, which is always
pernicious in its tendencies-that Is,
legislation which discriminates In favor
of the few rs against the many; nor, as
rule, should any form of taxation be
maintained which much more than
covers the necessary expenditures of
the Government. AT the same time
surplus In the Treasury arising from
judicious tariff, which as q method Of
taxation is the least felt Of all methods,
is not in itself an evil and 1t is well to
be prepared for unlooked-for contin-
gencies.
To contend that revenues, In excess
of the wants of the Government, are
necessarily source of danger by rea-
son of the corrupt and extravagant
legislation which they may incite, is
straining at illogical conclusions.
Such an argument necessarily implies
that our legislatures need but the op.
portunity to betray their constituents
and they will certainly do it.
The real danger consists in so
magnifying the virtues Of economy
and frugality and curtailing needed ex-
penditures, as to leave balances in the
Treasury unemployed. 1t is not the
surplus which is to be feared, but the idle
inviolability with which 1t is boarded.
A Government like ours, which raises
the means of support with such ease
that the taxpayer scarcely feels the
burden, can afford to provide literally
for its people, and above all things,
should beware of false policy of re-
trenchment, which permits great pub
lie improvements TO drag from year to
year and hesitates TO make appropria-
tions that the public interests urgently
require.
There suo greater surplus in the
Treasury to day than can be wisely and
profitably used. 1t is only a., a" oplect
OF terror as long as it Is locked up as
though the Government were savings
hank instead OF q disbursing office. 1t
only represents burden to he lie s.tent
that 1t is kept on. 81 ,he channels of
circulation.
WHETHER Bank Examiner Serbia be
competent man or not for the duties
of his office, Comptroller Trenholm
makesit very clear that in appointments
ofthis kind the Treasury Departments
to be the judge; and he states very
plain truth when he says:
If the precedent should be established thai
an examiner holds his Office by tenure oi
popularity or the favor Of bank officers, OIL
apublic sentiment averse to official changes
there would be, in my Judgment fata
blow struck at the efficiency of the Who'll,
system OF examination, and there would bt
introduced principle that would actually
cripple the service and eventually destroy
its value both to the public and the banks
The good OF the service requires
that the hands OF the Comptroller Of thu
Currency should rather be strengthened, Sc
as to enable him to appoint, govern and re
move examiners free from all influences
except those which make for the elevation
and Improvement of the service.
The rule that Mr.. Trenholm here
lays down may be made Of much
broader application. What is true o.
the National bank service is measur
ably true Of all branches of the civi
service. The principle enunclated i
that the appointing power should b,
free and unembarrassed in the exercis
of that power Is not this the under
lying principle of civil-service reform
10 which the President alludes in hi
Messenger
SAYS the Capital yesterday, speakin
of the Lincoln Hall fire: at is to b
hoped that some of our capitalists wi
combine and erect upon the site Of tn
burned building an opera.house whic
shall be an ornament to that locality
and which shall be built in the mo-
substantial manner The undertaken
would probably result in large prof
TO those interested In It," 1t ca
scarcely be questioned that the inves
ment would pay, and the buildin
should occupy the entire d street from
from Eighth TO Ninth. There woul
lie no trouble in finding occupants fC