The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1886-12-18
TARIFF RETESFeS.
An Argument III Favor of Reduction OF
Rates of TAXATION.

In my last annual message to Congress atten-
ton was directed TO the fact that the revenues of
the government excs ed the actual needs and il
was suggested that legislative action should be
taken 10 relieve the people from the unnecessary
burden of taxation thus made apparent In view
of the pressing importance of the subject. deem
il my duty 10 again urge its consideration The
income OF the government with its increased vol
ume and through economy in its collection is
now more than ever in excess of public necessi-
ties The application of the surplus to the pay
ment of such portion of the public debt as is
now al option subject TO extinguishment if
continued at the rate which has lately prevailed
would retire that class of Indebtedness within
less than one year from this date. Thus con-
tinuatlon OF our present revenue would soon re-
suit in the receipt of an annual income much
greater than necessary to meet government ex-
uenseS, with no Indebtedness upon which il
could be applied. We should then be confronted
with vast quantity of money, the circulating
medium of the people, boarded in the treasury
when it should be III their hands or we should
be drawn into wasletul public exiravagance with
all the corruptive national demora ization which
| follows IN its train.
But tits not the simple existence of this surplus
and its threatened attendant evils which furnish
the strongest argument against our present scale
| of federal taS alton It's worst phase is the ex-
| action of such surplus through a perversion of
| lie relations between the people and their gov
| ernment, dangerous departure from the rules
| which limit the right of federal taxation. Good
can citizen boasts, has for its OBJ
| jeets the protection of every person
within its borders with the greatest liberty con-
| sistent with the good Of the country and his
perect security in the enjoyment of his earnings
with the least possible diminution for the public
needs. When more OF the peoples sustenance is
| exacted through the form of taxation than is
necessary 10 meet the Just Obligations of the gov
| eTnment and the expense of it's economical ad-
nlnstratlon, such seton becomes ruthless ex-
fnrficn AID violation nf the Fundamental Tzi.s
eiples Of a free government. The ind rect man.
ner in which these eXaCtions are made has a ten
dency to cOnceal their true character and their
extent But we have arrived at a stage
of superhous revenue which has aroused the
4 10 1Tya ion
amount raised pro essedly for the support Of the
government is paid by them as absolutely, il
added TO the price of the things which supply
their daily wants, as II II WAS paid al fixed peri
DDS into the hands of the tax-gatherer. Those
who toll tor daily wages are Jeginning 10 under
stand that capital, though sometimes van ting
! its Importance ana clsm0rilg for the protection
and favor of the government, is dull and slug
| gish till, touched by the magical wand
| Of labor, il springs into activity, furnish
| ing an occasion Tor federal taxation and
gaining the value which enables it to
bear it' burden. And the laboring man, as
thobgntfully inquiriDg whether in these ctrcum
stances and considering the tribgte he constantly
pays into the public treasury as he supplies his
! daily wants, he receives his fair share of ad-
| Vantages. There u also q suspicion abroad that
| the surplus of our revenues indicates abnormal
| and exceptional business profits which. under
| the system which produces such surplus. in
! crease without corresponding benefit to the peo
| pie at large The vast accumulatiOns of q few
among our citizens whose fortunes, riYaling the
| wealth Of the most favored in anti Democratic
nations, are the natural growth of a steady,
/ plain and industrious republic Our farmers too,
! and those engaged directly and indirectly in
! supplying the products Of agriculture, see that
| day by day and as often as the daily wants Of
their households Tecur that they are excessively
and needlessly taxed while their products strug-
| gle III foreign markets with the competition Of
nations which by allowing a freer exchange of
production than we permit, enable their people
to sell for prices which distress the American
farmer.
As every patriotic citizen reioces in the con
stantly increasing prize OF our people in Ameri-
can citizenship and in the glory OF our national
achievement and progress 2 sentiment prevails
that the leading strings useful to a nation in its
infancy may well to a great extent be discarded
IN the present stage OF American ingenuity, COur
age and fearless selEreliance and for the privi-
ege of indulging this sentiment with true Ameri.
can enthusiasm our citizens are quite willing TO
| forego an Idle surplus in the treasury. And all
the people know that the average rate of federal
taxation upon imports is to-day in time OF
peace but little less-while upon some articles
| IS necessary consumption 1t IS actually more
than was imposed by the grievous burden will.
1ngly bUrne at 3 time when the government
needed millions to maintain by war the safety
and integrity of the United States. 1t has been
the policy of the government 10 collect the prin-
cipal part of its revenues by a tax upon imports
and no change in this policy Is desirable.
/ Buttho present condition of affairs constrains
the people 10 demand that by revision OF our
revenue laws the receipts of the government
! shall be reduced to the necessary EXPENSE of Its
| economical administration. and this demand
| should BE- recognized and obeyed by The peoples
representatives in the legislative branch of the
government. IN reAG1uStlDg the burdens OF fed
/ erat taxation, q round public policy requires
/ that such OF our citizens "a nave built up large
and important industries under present condi-
tons should not be suddenly and to their in
! jury deprived OF advantages to which they have
/ adapted their business, but If the public
/ good requires it they should be content
/ with such consideration as shall deal fairly and
cautiously with their Interests while The just de-
mand OF the people for relief from needless tax
/ alton is honest and timely. Submission to su h
! a demand should certainly be possible without
disastrous shock 20 any interest: and a cheerful
/ co cesslO0 sometimes ayerts abrupt and needless
/ action. often the outgrowth of impatisnee and
/ delayed Justice. Due regard should be also ac-
! corded in any proposed readiustment TO the in
terests OF American labor, so far as they are in
! yOlved
| We congratulate ourselves that there is among
Us no iaboriug class fixed within unyieiding
! BOUNDS, and doomed under ell condi-
I cions 70 the inexorable fate of daily toll We
recognize IN labor chief factor in the wealth of
I the republic, and We treat those who have il in
their keeping a. citizens entitled 10 the most care.
/ fTl regard and thoughtful attention. This re-
gard and attention should be awarded them. not
/ only because labor is the capital Of working
man justly entitled to its share Of government
favor but foT the further and not less important
+ reason hat the laboring man, surrounded by his
family IN hts humble home as a consumer. Ia Vi
tsily interested IN all that chee pens the cost OF
living and enables him to bring within his do
nestle circle additional comforts and ad-
/ vsutages. This relation OF the workingman
( 70 the revenue laws of the country
and The manner in which il palpsbIy Influences
Z the question of wages should not be forgotten in
A4sS s7alllaAtAH tlll-tttlif1e gwen
maintenance Of the supply and protection of well
+ paid labor And these considerations suggest
such 81 arrangement OK government revenues es
{ shall rsluce tie expense of liViue-wnile il does
. not C1Ttai the opportunity for work nor reduce
T the compensation Of American labor and inju-
riCusly AFFECT is condition and the diguifed place
7 IT holds in the estimation Of oIr people
But our farmers and sgrIculturists those who
from the soil produce the things consumed by
{ all. arc FsrhaFs more directly and plainly con
teTued tnsu any other nf our citizens in q Just
and CsTefG! system OF federal taxation. Those
actually engaged in and more remotely con
neCied with this kind of work number nearly
oEe-haH ot our population, Acne labor harder
and more continuously tnan they Nc eusCl-
reE-s unl tbeI hours 0f teil and %
tEteF t1rs' t-r nt te -7sarlr1Crr ~ h11~-E - aUy
great extent the value OF their products. And