The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-12-16

tnelr people 70 sell for prices
which distress the American farmer. As
every patriotic citizen reiOices IN the constantly
increasing greatness of our people in American
Citizenship. and il the glory Of our NStlonal
achievements and progress. the sentiment pre-
walls that the leading-strings useful 10 a nation
In lis infancy may be well 10 great extent uls-
carded in the present stage OF American
ingenuity. courage and fearless self-reliance,
and for the privilege Of iEdulging this
sentiment with true American enthusiasm. our
citizens are quite willing 10 forego an idle sur
plus IN the public treasury. And all the people
knoW that the average Federal taxation upon
imports is to-day. IN time of peace. but little
less while upon some articles OF necessary
consumption u is actually more. than was I'M
posed by the grievous burden willingly borne AT
time when the Government needed nlihonS
TO maintain by war the safety and integrity OF
the Union.
II 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 al
fairs constrains our people 10 demand that by
revision Of our revenue laws the receipts of the
Government shall be reduced 20 the necessary
expense Of its economical administration, and
this demand should be recognized and obeyed
by the peoples representatives IN the legls-
lative branch of the government
In readlusting the burdens OF Federal taxa
tiOn. 4 sound public policy requires that sucn
Of our citizens as have built up large and I'M
portant industries under the present conditions
should not be suddenly. and to their injury. de-
prived Of advantages to which they have adapt
Gu lHcar business. Out II lNe PUBIC EOpO
Quircs, il they should be content with such con-
sderation shall deal fairly and cautiously
with their interests, while the Just demand
of the people for relief from needless taNatlon
is honestly answered 4 reasonable and timely
submission TO such a demand should certainly
be possible without disastrous shock TO any IN
teres;; and cheerful concession sometimes
avertS abrupt and needless action, oIten the
outgrowth OF impatiencc and delayed justice
Due regard should be also accorded in any
proposed readjustment of the tariff 10 the In
Nf 1aIN fer
volved.
We congratulate ourselves that there is
among US no laborlng class. fixed within un-
yielding bounds. ana doomed under conditions
to the memorable fate of daily toll. We recoS-
niZe in labor chief factor in the wealth OF the
Republic; and We treat those who have IT IN
their keeping as citizens entitled TO care
full regard and thoughtful attention. This
regard and attention should be award
ed them, not only because labor is
the capital of our wOrkingmen. just
" entitled TO its share of Government favor,
but for the further and not less important rea-
son that the laboring man, surrounded by his
family in his humble home. as consumer, IS
vltally interested in all that cheapenS the cost
OF living ard enables him to bring within his
domestic circle additional comforts and ad-
vantages. This relation of the wOrllngman TO
the revenue laws of the country, and the manner
in which IL palpably Influences the question OF
wages should not be forgotten in the IuStltiable
prominence given TO the proper maintenance or
the supply and protection of well-pald labor.
And these considerations suggest such an ar
rangement of government revenues as shall re-
duce the expense of living while II does not
curtail the opportunity for work nor reduce the
compensation OF American labor. or lnlurlOuSIy
affect its condition and the dignlted place IL
holds in the estimation of our people.
But our farmers and agrculturlSts-thosa
who from the soil produce the things consumed
by all-are perhaps more directly and plainly
concerned than any other OF our citizens IN
lust and careful system of Federal taxation.
Those acutually engaged and more remotely
cnnnhRfRn with work
nearly one half of our population. None labor
harder and more continuously than they. Nc
enactments limit their hours OF toll and no in
tcrpositiOn Of the Government enhances to any
great extent the value OF their products. And
yet, for many of the necessaries and comforts OF
life which the most scrupulouS economy en-
able them TO bring into their homes. and for
their implements OF husbandry. they are
obliged to pay price largely increased by an
unnatural profit which, by the action OF tho
Government, is given TO the more favored man
ufacturer.
recommend that. keeping in view all these
considerations. the increasing and unnecessary
surplus Of National income annually accunu-
latlng be released 10 the people oy an amend
ment To our revenue laws which shall cheaper
the price of the necesSarles of life and give
freer entrance TO such imported materials as
by American labor may be manufactured into
marketable commodities. Nothing can be ac-
cOmpliShed. however. in the direction OF this
much-nceded reform unless the subject is ap-
preached in a patriotic spirit OF devotion to the
interests OF the entire country and with 4 will
ingness TO yield something for the public good.
While on the subject of tariff and revenue the
President especially directs the attention OF
Congress to the recommendations or the Secre-
tary OF the Treasury touching the simrliaca-
tion and amendment OF laws relating to the col
lection OF the revenues.
Less space is devoted TO the silver question
this year than last, but his opposition TO compu[
sorry coinage is no less pronounced. The dirrer-
ence in the bullion price of the standard dollar
-94&i cents-when first coined. and its bullion
pRr Rrfr N Gf NnvpTplRr
certainly does not indicate, the Presi-
dent says. that compulsory coinage by
the Government enhances the price OF that
commodity or secures uniformity IN It's value.
He has seen no reason 90 change the views eX-
pressed i year ago on the subject of compulsory
coinage, and again urges its Suspension on all
the grounds contained in his former recomenda-
ton, reinforced by the significant increase of
our gold expectations during the last year. and
fOr the further reasons, that the more
this currency is distributed among
the people. the greater becomes our duty to
protect it from disaster; that we now have an
abundance for all our needs. and that there
seems but little propriety il building vaults TO
store such currency Then the only pretcnse for
its coinage is the necessity Of its use by the
people as 4 circulating medium.
The attention OF Congress is called TO the
great number OF suits in New York growing out
Of conflicting views by importers and collectors
as to the Interpretation of our complex and in
definite revenue laws. and an amendment is
recommended by which the present condition
of this litigation should be relieved by law
permitting the appointment OF an additional
Federal judge in New York where these cases
have accumulated
OF coast defenses and Notifications the Pres
ident says the defenseless condition OF our
sea coast and lake frontier is perfectly palpa-
bic and the work aid out by the board on for
tifcation is dclayed in default OF Con gressional
action. The absolute necessity OF our prep2ra-
ton for eIectual resistance against armOred
ships and steel guns. which may threaten our
sea coast cities is so apparent that he hopes
effective steps Will be taken N that direction at
once.
The condition OF our navy. as shown by the
secretary of that department, should challenge
the earnest attention Of Congress. The prOduc-
ton in the United States of armOr and gun
steel is a question which it seems necessary to
settle at an early day, II the arnorcd war yes
sells are 10 be completed with those materials
of home manufacture. In the event that the
present invitation OF the department for bids TO
furnish such of this material as IS now
authorized shall fail to induce
domestic manufacturers to undertake
the large expenditures required TO prepare for
this new manufacture. and no other steps are
taken by Congress at It's coming session the
Secretary contemplates with dissatisfaction the
necessity Of obtaining abroad the aTmor and
the gun steel for the authorized ships:
II would seem desirable, the President adds,
that the wants OF the army and navy IN THIS re-
gard should be reasonably net and, by uniting
their contracts such inducements might be Of
fered as would result in securing the domesti-
cation Of these important interests
Postal service affairs show marked and grati-
fving improvement during the past year, the
increase OF revenue gaining in ratio over the
increase of cost, demonstrating the sumclency
of the present cheap rates of postage ultimately
10 sustain the service. The differences with
certain ocean steamship companies we're ter
minated by the Gcquiescence Of ell IN the policy
OF the Government, thus anordlng service
generally adequate TO the needs Of the inter
oceanic E1ail business.
The question OF establishing ocean postal
service 10 Brazil and the Argentine Republic
is commended 10 the consideration OF Congress,
and the suggestion is offered that, as distln-
guished from a grant or subsidy for the mere
benefit OF any line whatever, the outlay that
may be required TO secure additional necessary
and proper service, should be regarded as
within the LIMIT OF legitimate COMPENSATION for