The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-12-09
THE MESSAGE
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should be in their hands-or We should
be drawn into wasteful public extrava-
gance with all the cOrrupting national de-
moralization which follows in its train,
but it is not the simple existence
of this surplus and its threatened attend
ant evils which furnish the strongest ergu-
mens against our present scale OF federal
taxation. Its worst phase is the exac-
ton of such a surplus through a perver-
sion of the relations between the people
and their government aud dang erous
departure from the rules which limit the
right of federal taxation. Good govern
ment. and especially the government of
which every American citizen boasts, has
for its object the protection of every per-
son within it's care in the greatest liberty
consistent with the good order
of society and his perfect Sc
curity in the enjoyment of his
earnings with the least possible diminu
ton for the public needs. When more of
the peoples substance is exdcted through
the form of taxation than is necessary to
meet the just obligations OF the govern
ment and the expense of it's economical
administration, such exaction becomes
ruthless extortion and violation of the
fundamental principles OF free govern
ment. The indirect manner in which these
exactlons are made has a tendency to
conceal their true character and their
extent, but we have arrived at stage of
superhuous revenue which has fur
nished the people realization
of the fact that the amount
raised professedly for the support of the
government, is paid by them as absolutely
added to the price of the things which
supply their daily wants, as if it were paid
at fixed periods into the hands of the tax
gatherers. Those who toll for daily
wages are beginning to understand that
capital, though sometimes wanting its i'm.
portance and clamoring for the protec
ton and favor of the government, is dull
and sluggish till touched by the magical
hand of labor, it springs into activity,
furni hing an occasion for federal
taxation, aud gaining the value
which enables 1t to bear
its burden, and the laboring man is
thoughtfully inquiring whether in these
circumstances and considering the tribute
he constantly pays into the public treas
ury, as he supplies his daily wants, he re-
ceiVes his fair snare of the advantage.
There is also a suspicion about that the
surplus of revenues, indicating abnormal
and xceptional business profits, which
under the system which produces such a
surplus, increases, without a correspon-
ding benefit to the people at large, the
vast accumulations of few among
our citizens, whose fortunes rival
ing the wealth of the most
favored and anti-democratic nations
are not tho natural growth of
a steady plain and industrious republic
Our farmers, too, and those engaged
directly and indirectly in supplying the
products of agriculture, SO that day by
day and as often as the daily wants of
their household recur, are forced to pay
excessive and reedless taxation, while
their products struggle IN foreign markets
with the competition of nations which,
by allowing a freer exchange of produc-
tions than we permit enable their people to
sell for prices which distress the American
farmer.
AMERICAN PATRIOTISM.
As every patriotic citizen rejoices in the
constantly increasing pride of our people
in American citizenship and in the glory
of our national achievements and
progress, sentiment prevails that the
leading strings, useful to a nation in its
infancy, may WE'LL to a great extent, be |
discarded in the present stage of Ameri
can ingenuity, courage and fearless self |
reliance. And for the privilege of in
dulging this sentiment, with true Ameri- |
can enthusiasm, our citizens are quite
willing to forego an idle surplus in the
public 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 of necessary con
sumption it Is actually more-than
was imposed by the grevious burden will
ingly borne at a time when the govern
ment needed millions to maintain, by wa:,
the safety and integrity of the United
States. 1t has been the policy of the gov.
eminent to collect the principal part of
it's revenues by a tax upon imports, and
no change in this policy is desirable. But
the present condition of affairs constrains
the people to demand that, by revision
of our revenue laws, the receipts of the
government shall be reduced to the nee
essary expense of its economic
able administration, and this demand
should be recognized and obeyed by
tn6 HeOple 5 representatives III bno leRiS-
latiye branch of the government in re-
adjusting the burdens of federal taxation.
A sound public policy requires that such
of our citizens as have built up large and
important industries under present con-
ditions should not be suddenly, and to
their injury, 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 demand of
the people for relief from needless taxa
ton is honestly answered.
reasonable and timely submission to
such demand should certainly be posi-
BILE without disastrous shocks to any in
terest, and cheerful concession some
times averts abrupt and Needless action,
often the outgrowth of Impotence and
delayed justice. Due regard should be
also accorded In any proposed re-adjust-
ment to the interests of the American
laboreis, so far as they are involved. We
congratulate ourselves that there is among
us no laboring elias fixed within unyield-
ing bounds and doomed under all condi-
tions to the memorable fate of daily toll.
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