Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-12-06

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In. In my last annual message to the Congress at
OF the government exceeded its actual needs: and
it was suggested that legislative action should be
burden OF taxation thus made apparent.
an view OF the pressing importance OF the subject
deem 1t my duty to again urge its consideration.
TIE INCREASING SURPLUS REVENUES
Tne income OF the Government by its increased
volume and through economies in its collection. is
now more than ever in excess of public necessities
The application of the surplus to the payment Of
such portion OF the public debt as is now at our
option subject to extinguishment, II continued at
the rate which has lately prevailed, would retire
InaL class OF Indebtedness within less than one
pIeSent revenue system would soon result In the re-
celpt OF an annual income much greater than nee
ne e mon WSch With no In
should then be confronted with a vast Quantity of
money, the circulating medium of the people,
hands, or we should be drawn into Wasteful public
extrayagance with all the corrupting national de-
m9 GaI;. q which follows in its train.
But 1t Is not the simple existence of this surplus
ana ltS threatened attendant evils. which furnish
me strongest argument against our present scale
ton OF such surplus through perversion of the
reaa,lonS between the people and their Govern
M Is and a dangerous departure from the rules
SOo0 government, and especially the govern
ment OF which every American citizens boasts, has
~. AeS ouJNSecS eAC pIUtcCJIOu OF every person
within It's care In the greatest liberty consistent
with the good order Of society," and his perfect se-
curity In the enjoyment Of his earnings, with the
ieaSt ammunition Tor public needs. When more OF
the peoples substance is exacted through the
form OF taxation than Is necessary to meet the
Of s S5 and the
action becomes ruthless eXtortion and a violation
ment.
The Indirect manner in which these exactiOns
are mace, mas tendency to conceal their true
character ta and their extent But we have arrived
aroused the people tO.a realization of the fact
That the amount raised professedly for the sup
uey added pce Things ny WEN Wch as
their daily wants as II it was paid at fixed periods
into the hand Of the tax-gatherer.
understand that capital, though sometimes vaHnt-
ing lts importance and clamortng for the protec-
s lion ana favor OF the Government, is dull and
sluggish, I'LL, touched by the magical hand Of
sion for federal taxation and GAZING the v value
lab0ring man is thOughtfully inuuiring whether
Ia these circumstances and considering the trib-
ute ne constantly pays into the public Treasury as
share OF advantages.
THE GROWTH OF VAST PRIVATE FORTUNES.
There Is also suspicion abroad that the surplus
olour revenues indicates abnormal and exceptional
business profits, which, under the system which
produces such surplus, increase without CORE
spending benefit to the people ut large, the vast
denominations of few among our citizens whose
fortunes, rivaling the wealth OF the most favored
IN sntl-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 agricul-
ture 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,
wMie Ihelr products struggle In foreign markets
WIN the competition OF nations, which by allow
ing freer exchange OF productions than we per
init. enable their people to sell for prices which
distress the American farmer
AS every patriotic citizen rejoices in the con-
ssant increasing pride Of our people In Ame
achievements and progress, sentiment prevails
tnau the leading, strings useful to nation in its
IN the S, may well oe 70 great extent discarded
age and fearless self-reliance. And for the priv
iege OF indulging this sentiment with true Ameri-
IoregO an Idle surplus in the public Treasury
ana an the people know that the average rate
III m re os taxation upon imports is to-day in
articles OF necessary consumption it IS actualjy
more, than was imposed by the grievous burden
willingly borne, at a time when the Government
needed millions to maintain by war the sasetV nd
integrity OF the Union. ~
REVISION OF THE TARIFF RECOMMENDED
IL has been the policy Of the Government to col
lect the principal part OF its revenues by a tax
upon imports; and no change in this policy ia de-
sirabe. But the present condition of affairs con.
strains our people to demand, that by revision of
our revenue laws the receipts OF the Governments
shall be reduced to the necessary expense OF fts
economical administration; and this demand
should be recognized and Obeyed by the ne0nie,:
| representatives. In the legislative branch OF the
In readJusting the burdens Of Federal taxation.
sound public policy requires that such or on,
under and
suddenly and to their injury deprived of advan.
tages TO which they have adapted their business;
content with such consideration as shall deal Tariv
and cautiously with their interests while the inst
an ~ OF sne people ior relief from needless
A reasonable and timely submission to such n
demand should certainly be possible without dis
astrous shock to any interest; and cheerful con
cession sometimes averts abrupt and needless
action, often the outgrowth OF impatience and de-
Due regard should be also accorded in anx ,ro
posed REIMBURSEMENT, to the interest of American
labor so far as they are involved We cOnprotu
aas ourselves Ina. there Is among us no la6oring
under all conditions to the inexOrable fate OF daily
| toll. We recognize in labor CHIEF factor in the
have it in their keeping as citizens entitled ~
the most careful regard and thoughtful attention.
This regard and attention should be awarded
them, not only because labor is the caDitaI of oT
work1ngmen, justly entitled to its share of Gov
| eminent favor, but for the further and not less
rounded by his family in his humble hnme 30 sur =
consumer is vitality interested In all that cheapens
the cost OF living and enables him 10 bring within
his domestic circle additional comforts and adj
vantageS
This relation Of the workingman to the revenue
| laws OF the country, and the manner in which II
palpably influences the question of wages shouid
not be in the justiflable given
TO the proper maintenance OF the supply and pro-
lection OF Well-pald labor. And these Consider
atoms suggest such an arrangement OF government
| revenues as shall reduce the expense OF living
While 1t does not curta1l the opportunity for WORK
| nor reduce the compensation OF American labor.
and tnjurtouSy affect its condition and the divni
fed place 1T holds In the estimation of our
people.
| TEE TARIFF ESPECIALLY ONRROUs no THE FARMER
But our farmers and observation-disclosures who
from the soil produce the things consumed by all
| are perhaps more directly and plainly concerned
than any other OF our citizens In Just and care
full system OF Federal taxation. Those actually en-.
gagged In and more remotely connected with this
kind OF work, number nearly one-half OF our pop-
| ulation. None labor harder or more continuously
than they. NO enactments Limit their hours OF
toll, and no 1nterpOsitiOn OF the Government en-.
hahces to any great extent the value OF their PRO
| ducts. And yet for many Of the neceSsarteS and
comforts OF life, which the most scrupulOus econ
omy enables them to bring into their homes, and
obliged to pay price largely increased by an un-
natural profit, which, by the action OF the Govern.
ment, is given TO the more favored manufacturer
recommend that, keeping In view all these con.
plus OF national income annually accommodating
be released TO the people, by an amendment to oui
revenue laws which shall cheaper the urice OF the
accessories OF life and give freer entrance to such
imp0rted materials mat, as 1y american labor may be
Nothing can be accomplished, however, In the
direction OF this much-needed reform. unless the
subject Is approached In patriotic spirit of de