The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-12-11

|
ceding year AS follows
Domestic mdse q. se6j, $3.50 90 s7ao6sa,a8 90
| Foreign mdse..... l3,56J,3Jl W l5S6,S0 90
Gold .,...,.,........ 4sVo2,l9 20 S,U,SG w
Silver. e05il,el9 W 33,75S,633 w
| IMPORTS.
| Our imports during the last fiscal year, as
compared with the previous year, were as fol-
| lows:
Merchandise ..... e6s5, 438, 1886 $50, sso.a5i 80
| Gold. ....,........... ~, 1850 1881 ,696 10
Silver .............. l7,S0,ST l6,55O,6s7 w
REDUCTION OF THE REVENUE.
In my last annual message TO Congress at
tention was directed to the fact that the revcn-
ues OF the Government exceed its actual needs
and II was suggested that legislative action
the 6Srdsn Of Ae
thus made apparent. In view OF the press
ing Importance OF the subject, / deem II my
duty to again urge its consideration. The in.
come OF the Government with 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 extinguish
ment, il continued at the rate which has lately
prevailed, would retire that class OF indebted
ness within less than one year from this
date. Thus continuation Of our present
revenue would soon result in the receipt OF an
annual income much greater than necessary TO
meet Government expenses, with no indebted
ness upon which 1t could be applied We should
then be confronted with u vast quantity OF
money, the circulating medium OF the people,
, boarded In the treasury, when IT should be In
their hands, or We should be drawn into waste
full public extravaganza witt all the corrupting
National decentralization which follows In its
/ train.
But II is not the simple existence OF this sur
plus and its threatened attendant evils, which
furnish the strongest argument against our
present scale OF Federal taxation Its worst
phase is the exaction of such surplus through
I n nf hpt ~
pie and their Governmental dangerous de-
parturo from the rules which limit the right OF
Federal taxation.
We have arrived at q stage OF superiiuous
revenue which has aroused the people TO II re-
alizltion Of the fact that the amount raised
prOicSsedly for the support OF the Government,
is paid by them rs absolutely, If added to the
price OF the things which supply their daily
wants, as if it was paid ut iXedCperiods
into the hands of the tax-gatherer.
There is also suspicion abroad that the sur
plus OF our revenues indicates abnormal ana eN-
cCptiOnal business profits, which, under the
system which produces such surplus increase,
without CORE 5Foa!iug benefit to the people At
large, the vast aCcumulatOns of a few among
our citizens whose fortunes, rivallng the
wealth o: the most favored in anti-demOcratc
nations are not the natural growth Of a steady,
plain ami 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 recur, they are forced
their products struggle in foreign markets with
the competition of nations which, by allowing
frecr exchange Of production than we permit,
enable their people to sell for prices which dis
tross the Am 'riCau farmer As every patriotic
cruising cisi1 ' pride Of our people in
American citizenship, and in the glory
OF our national achievements and progress,
sentiment prevails that the leading strings USE
full to a nation in its infancy, may well, to
great extent, be discarded in the present stage
of American ingenuity, courage and fearless
selfreliance. And for the privilege of indulgins
this sentiment with true American enthusiasm,
our citizens are quite willing to forego an idle
surplus in the public treasury.
REVISION OF THE REVENUE LAW.
1t has been the policy of the Government to
collect the principal part of its revenues by a
tax upon imports, and no change in this policy
is desirable But the present condition OF af-
fairs COnStranS our people to demand that by n
revision of cur revenue laws the receipts Of the
Government shall be reduced to the necessary
expenses of its economical administration, and
this demand should be recognized and obeyed by
the people representatives in the legislative
branch of the Government. In readjusting the
burdens of Federal taxation, sound public pol
icy requires that such OF our citizens as have
built up large and important industries under
present conditions should not be suddenly, and
to their injury, deprived of advantages to which
they have adapted their business; but II the
public good requires il, they should be content
with such consideration as shall deal fairly and
cautiously with their interests, while the just
demands of the people for relief from needless
taxation is honesty answered
AMERICAN LABOR
Due regard should be also accorded in any
proposed readiustment to the interests OF
American labor so far as they are involved. We
congratulate ourselves that there is among us
no laborng class fixed within unyielding
bounds, and doomed under oil conditions to the
memorable fate of daily toll. We recognize in
labor IA chief factor in the wealth Of the Repub-
lie, and we treat those who have il in their
..i- nnttf ln1 To fha
careful regard and thoughtful attention. This
regard and attention should be awarded them,
not only because labor is the capital OF our
working men, Justly entitled to its share OF
Government favor but for the further and not
less important reason that the laboring man,
surrounded by his family in mis- humble home,
is virtually interested in all that cheapens the
cost of living and enables him to bring within !
his domestic circle additional comforts and
advantages. This relation OF the working |
man TO the revenue laws OF the country, |
and the manner in which 1t palpably influences |
the question of wages should not be forgotten |
III the JustitiaDle prominence given to the proper
OF the supply and protection OF
well-paid labor And these considerations sug- |
gest such an arrangement Of Government rev. |
enucs as shall reduce the expense OF living |
while it does not curtail the opportunity for |
worl nor reduce the compensation OF American !
Labor ana inuriOuSly affect its condition and the
digni led place IL holds in the estimation OF our ,
people
But our farmers and agrculturists, those |
by all, are perhaps more directly and plainly |
than any other Of our citizens in u
just and careful system Of Federal taxation.
Those actually engaged in and more remotely |
with this kind OF work number near
ly onehalf Of our population; none labor hard
er or more continuously than they. No
limit their hours OF toll, and
no nterposition OF the Government en-
hances to any great extent the value
Of their products; and yet for many OF the nee
essaries and comforts Of life, which the most
economy enables them to bring into
their homes and for their implements Of hus-
bandry, they are obliged to pay price largely
by an unnatural profit which, by the
action OF the Government is given to the more
favored manufacturer. / recommend that keep
ing in view all these considerations, the increas-
ing and Unnecessary surplus Of National income
annually accommodating be released 10 the
people, by an amendment 10 our revenue laws,
which shall cheaper the price OF the neces.
saries of life and give feer entrance to such
imported materials as by American labor may
De manufactured into marketable commodities. |
Nothing can be accomplished, however, in the
direction of this much needed reform unless
he subject is approached in patriotic spirit
If devotion to the interests OF the entire coun-
ny and with willingness to yield something
or the public good
THE wAR-vESSEIS.
The report OF the Secretary Of the Navy con-
aims detailed report of the condition OF his
department, with such a statement OF the action
needed to improve the same as should challenge
.he earnest attention or Congress. The produc-
ion in the United States OF armor and gun
tppl = "A nupstiOn which il seems necessary