The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1886-12-15

the present stage Of American ingenuity
courage aud fearless self-reliance and fo
the privilege of indulging this seHtimen
with true American enthusiasm, our citi
zens are quite willing 10 foneso an idl'
surplus in the public treasury, and all tn,
people know that the average rate Of Fed
! erll taxation upon imports j. to-day. il
time Of peace. but little les while upon
some articles Of necessary consumption i
l. actually more than wasimposed by the
( gricvous burden willingly borne alta tim,
+ when the Government needed millions tC
maintain by var the safety and integri-
ty Of the Union. 1t has been the policy
. of the Government 10 collect the Orinci
pal part Of its revenues by a tax upon i'm
ports and no change in this policy i de
( sirable. But the present condition Of af
fairs conStrain~ our people To demand
th9t!iy a revision Of our revenue laws the
receipts Of the Government shall be ne
duced 70 the necessary expense of Its eco
noniicai administration, and this demand
should be recognized and obeyed by the
peoples Representatives in the legislative
branch Of the Government In read
j,isting the burdens Of federal taxation, a
sound public policy requires that such q
our citizens aS have built Up large and
important ministries under present condi-
tons should rot be suddenly, and TO
their Injury, deprived Of advantages 70
which they have adapted their business
but if the public -ood requires it, they
should b. content with such considera-
ton a. shall deal fairly and cautiously
witl their interests, while ;he Just de-
uland Of the people for relief from need
les taxation j. honestly answered. A
reasonable and timely submission to such
demand should certainly De possible
without disastrous sh0sk 20 any interest,
and q cheerful concession sometimes
ayails abrupt and needless action Of the
ou,growth Of imlaiience and DELAYED
justice
TnE INTEREST or LABOR.
Due regard should D.. also accorded in
any proposed reaaiustneut 10 the inter
est, If American labor 80 far a. they are
involved. We congratulate ourselves
that there j. among Us no aboring class
fixed within unyieldius bounds ana
doomed under all conditions To the mex
orahle fate Of daily toll recognize in
labor the chief factor in the wealth ofthe
Republic and We trust those who have II
in their keeping IL citizens entitled 10
mast careful regard and thoughtful AZ
tentiou This regard and attention
should heasgar,ied them not only because
labor j. the capital of our Yorkingmen
Justly entitled 70 It's share Of Government
favor but for the further and not les I'M
;.ortant reason that the laboring man
surrounded by his family in his humble
home ~ a consumer j. VitaIh interested
. in all that cheapens the cost of living an
enables him 10 bring within bis domestic
circle additional comforts and advantages
Z This relation of the workingman 10 the
/ revenue laws Of the country and ;ie man
/ ner in which it paipably influences the
question Of wages should not he forgotten
I in the jtlStiiial,le prominence given 10 the
/ proper maintenance OF the supply and
protection of well paid labor, and these
/ considerations suggest such an arrange
men, uf Government revenues as shall
r.sduee the expense Of living while il
,ioes Rot curtail the opportunity for work
nor reduce the compensation Of Amer
can labor ana iniuriously affect It's con
di;ion and the digniied place 1t holds il
the estimation Of cur people.
THE FARMING INTEREST,".
But our farmers and agriculturists
those who from soil produce the thing
consumed by all, are perhaps more direct
I ~ and plainly concerned than any Other
Of our citizens in Il Just and careful sys-
tenn of Federal taxation. Those actually
engaged in and more remotely connected
with this kind of work number nearly
one-haif Of our population None laboi
harder or E4ore continuously than they
{ No enacuments limit their hours II toll
aud no interruption OF the Government
enhances To- any great extent the value oI
their proiuets And vet for many 81 the
neces-aFies and comforts of life. which
the most 7s.rupulous economy enable,
them 10 bring into their homes. and fol
their implements Of hr,bandry they ART
obliged to pay price largely increased
by an unnatural profit which by the ac
ton Of the Government i given 10 the
more favored manufacturers. ] recon-
mend iliat Keeping in view all these con
-ider3tion- the increasing and unneceS
slrv surplus Of illtional income annually
acr'mulaiin. he released tothe people by
an amendment OF otr revenue laws which
shall cheapen the price Of the ne, -essarie,
pf life and giye frecr entrance t. sgcb i'm.
ported materials - by American labor
are manufactured into marketable com
nodities. Nall.iHg can he accomplished
however E fbi- much needed inform un.
les- the subject j. approached in q Tsitri-
otis spirit OF devotion to the Interests ot
the entire country. and with willing
ne~, So Weld something for the public
good
THE Py BIG TEBI
The sum paid on the public debt during
the fiscal year ending June 20. lss6, was
~ .l5I oi8 III
TIiE BqND- CALLED.
During ihe twelve months euied o,t
y. lSst., ) per cent. bonds were called for
redemption amounting 10 sl23 IS, 100,
of which so, 81, 30 was - called to an
swer the requirements Of law relating to
the sinking fund, and s46,6,g.aO for the
purI-oss. Of reducing the public debt by
application Of part of the surplus IN the
treasury to thai object OF the bonds
thus called. sla2- -1tSl. 80 became subject
undcr such calls TO redemption prior 10
November i. lSS5. The reInainder,
amounting to s25lolS,C5o, nlatured under
the calls afler that date. IN addition 10
the amount subject to IsayInent and Can
collation. prior 10 November I. there were
ai-D paid before thst day certain Of IN e
bonds with Interest thereon, amounting
10 S5.o72,SJ0, which were sntici ated al