Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-12-07


reducing the total increase TO the smaller
amount mentioned. The expense at the diff
iefent custom houses OF collecting this in
creased customs revenue was lea- than the
expense attending the collec ion OF such reve-
nue. Tor the preceding year by $3.50, sos and
the increased receipts of internal revenue
were co lected at a cost TO the Internal Reye-
nue. bureau of 1856. ga 80 less than the eX-
pense OF such collection for the previous year.
Inc total ordinary expenses OF the govern
ment Tor the fiscal year ended June 80, 1885,
were Sz4z, +sS, los 30. being less by $H.ISS,i AZ
than such expenditures Tor the year preced-
ing, anu leaving a surplus IN the Treasury at
the close OF the last fiscal year Of 500, $50, 5oS SO
as against S63, 463,77I - at the close of the pre-
Nlous year. being an increase in such surplus
OF $50 ,4s2 SIT %. The expenditures are com
pared with those of the preceding year, and
Classified as follows:
For the year ending June 8o,-
Civil expenses .s7l ,955, 504 o. s28,s26,942 IL
For foreign inter-
course ......... l,sa2,82o 50 5,!89,ec9 II
FOR Indians. 6,O95 l5S II 6,5j2,49i So
For pensions ... 63, AVA, S64 % 56,lv2,zO7 40
For the military,
including river
aud harDor I'M
pFovements and
arsenals &c.. "a, 324, 1852 "A 42,670,578 IL
For the navy. in
GLIDING vessels
machinery and
Improvement Of
navy yards ...... l3.907, SS7 "A l6,02l,079 SO
For interest on
public debt .,,. 50, 5SO.I45 81 5l,3s6. 256 Al
For the District of
.Columbta....'.. s,s92.32l 50 1896 95
Miscellaneous eX-
pendltures, in
GLIDING public
buildings, light
houses and col
lectiBg the reYe-
nue............... 47,9S6, Sss o. 54.T2s,O56 81
FOR the current year to the end of June 80,
1871, The ascertained receipts up TO oct, l,
1876. with su Oh receipts estm ated for the re-
lnaluoer OF the year, amount to 1856, TO-, 600.
Inc expenditures asceTtaiued and e5tima ed
Tor the same period are $3.50, 900. 200, indicat-
Ing an anticipated surplus aL the close of the
year of S9J,000o00.
The total value of the exports from the
United States TO foreign countries during the
hsc&l year is stated aud compared with the
previous year as follows:
For the year ending June 90, -
1885. 1885.
Domestic merchandise $685. 50, 500 s726, 49,, 9is
Foreign merchandise 1851 J.30l 1875 $500
Gold ................-... =2,G52,l9l S,477, 1893
Silver ................ e.. 29,5ll,2l9 33,753, 633
The value OF some Of our leading exports
during the last 1scal year. as compared wi b
the value of the same for the year immedi-
ately preceding, is here given, and furnishes
Information both interesting and suggestive:
ending June ending une
80, 'S6. 80, '85.
Cotton and cotton man
ufactures .......... $9l9 0t5, 576 Ssl3. 799, 0k9
Tobacco ana its man
fracture. ............ 3U,4A. o0S q 7B7, 800
Breadstufs. ........... III, SAT, $50 l60.370 S3I
PROVISIONS ......... 90. 90.625,2l6 lU7, 332, 456
Our imports during the last fiscal year, as
compared with the previous year, were as
follows:
1886, 1885.
Merchandise $685., 4S6, 1876 s57s, O5S 80
Goid..............--. 20,74S,349 26.69l,6g6 0
oliNeE -..-s'... s---- IE.HoJ,oOi Io,0oU,ozI w
TARIFF REFORM.
In my last annual message TO the Congress
attention was directed to the fact that the
re Venues of the government exceeded its
actual needs. and it was suggested that legis-
lative action should be taken to relieve the
Deope from the unnecessary burde0 of taxa
ton thus made apparent Ia view OF the
pressing Importance of the subject, deem it
my duty to again urge its consideration. The
income of the government by its increased
volume and through economies in its cOllec-
ton is now more than ever in excess of pub
lie necessities. I he application OF the SUPP us
to the payment OF suca portion of the public
debt as is now at our option. hject to eXLIn-
gulehment If continued at the rate which
mas lately prevailed, would retire that class
of Indebtedness within less than one year
from this date. With us continuation of
our present revenue system would soon re-
suit in the receipt of an annual income much
greater lhan necessary TO meet the govern
ment expenses, with TO Indebtedness upon
which 1t could be applied. We should then
be con rOnted with vast quantity of money
the circulating medium Of the people, hoard
d in the Treasury when it should be in heir
hands, for we should be drawn into waste
ful public extravaganza with all the corrupt
ing national decentralization which follows in
its tram. But IL Is not the simple existence
of this surplus and its threatened attendant
evils which furnish the strongest argument
against our present scale OF Federal taxation.
AN EXACTION.
Its worst phase is the eXaction of such a
surplus through perversion OF the relations
between the peope ana their government,
and dangerous departure from the rules
which limit the right Of Federal taxation.
Good government. and especially the govern
ment of which every Amer csn citizen boasts.
has for it's objects the protection of every per-
son within lis care in the greatest liberty con-
sistent with the good order az society, and his
perfect security in the enjoyment of his earn
lngs with the least possible dimnution for
public needs. When more of the people,
substance is eXacted through tue form of TAX
at on than is necessary 10 meet the just obli-
cations Of the government, and the expense of
its &c mo Gical dministration. such exaction
becomes ruthless eXtortiOu and "A violation of
the fundamental principles of free govern
ment. The indirect manner in which these
eXactioDs are made has tendency to conceal
their true character and their extent, but we
have arrived'at a stage oflsuperufous revenue
which has aroused he people to II realization
of the fact that the amount raised professedly
for the support of the government IS paid by
them as absolutely as if added 10 the price of
the things which supply their daily wants as
IL 1t was paid at fixed periods into the hands
of the TAXI herer.
LABoR'S EYES OPENING.
Those who toll for daily wages are begin
ming to understand that capital, though some
times Wanting its importance aud clamoring
for the protection and favor OF the govern
ment, is dul and sluggish TILL, touched by the
magical hand of labor it spring "a into activity,
furnishing an occasion for federal taxation
and gaining the value which enables it TO
bear its burden, ana the laborIng man Is
thoughtful inquiries whether in these circum-
stances and considering the tribute he con-
stantly pays into the public Treasury as he
supplies his daily wants, he receives his fair
share OF advantages. There Is also q suspicion
abroad that the surplus of our revenue midi
Gates abnormal and exceptional business
profits which under the system which pro-
duces such surplus increase with correspond
ing benefit to the people at large. The vast
accumuations of a few among our citizens.
whose fortunes rival the wealth of the most
favored in 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 agri-
culture, see that day by Gay. and AS often as
the daily wants of their households recur.
they are forced to pay excessive and need oss
taxation, while the products struggle in for
eign markets with the competition of nations
which, by allowing freer exchange Of pro-
ductuns than we permit. enable their people
TO sell for prices which distress the American
farmer.
Tn wATK