The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1886-12-10

his perfect security in the enjoyment OF his
earnings, with the least possible diminution
for public needs. When more of the peoples
substance is exacted through the form of
taxation than is necessary TO meet the lust
obligations of the government and the ex-
pense of its economical administration, such
exaction becomes ruthless extortion and a
violation Of the fundamental principles of a
free government The indirect manner In
which these exactions are made has n ten.
dency to conceal their true character and
their extent. But we have arrived at a stage
OF superfiuous revenue which has aroused the
people to u realization of the fact that the
amount raised professedly for the support of
the government is paid by them as absolutely,
IL added to the price of the things which supplv
their daily wants, as if it was paid at fixed
periods into the hand Of the taxgatherer
Those who toll for daily wages are beginning
to understand that capital, though sometimes
vaunting its importance and clamoring for
the protection and favor of the government,
is dull and sluggish, till, touched by the
magical hand of labor, it springs into ac-
tvity, furnishing an occasion for federal
taxation and gaining the value which enables
it to bear its burden. And the laboring man
is thoughtfully inquiling whether, in these
circumstances and considering the tribute
he constantly pays into the public treasury
as he supplies his daily wants, he receives his
fair share of advantages There is also a
suspicion abroad, that the surplus of our
revenues indicates abnormal and exceptional
business profits, which, under the system
which produces such. Surplus, increase, with
out corresponding benefit to the people at
large, the vast accumulations Of few
among our citizens whose fortunes, rivaling
the wealth of the most favored in anti-demo-
cratic nations, are not 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 recur, they are forced to
pay excessive and needless taxation, while
their products struggle in foreign markets
with the competition of nations, which, by
allowing a freer exchange of productions than
we permit, enable their people to sell for prices
which distress the American farmer. As every
patriotic citizen rejoices in the constantly in
creasng pride of our people in American
citizenship and in the glory of our national
achievements and progress, sentiment pre-
walls that the leading strings useful to a ma
ton in its infancy may well be TO great ex-
tent discarded in the present stage of Ameri-
can ingenuity, courage and fearless self-re-
lance. And for the privilege of indulging
this sentiment with true American 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 consumption it is actually more
than was imposed by the grievous burden
willingly borne at a time when the govern
ment needed millions to maintain by war the
safety and integrity OF the Union. 1t has
been the policy of the government to
collect the principal part of its reven-
ues by tax upon imports, and no
change In this policy is desirable But the
present condition of affairs constrains
our people to demand that by q revision of
our revenue laws the receipts of the govern
ment shall be reduced to the necessary ex-
penSe of its economical administration; and
this demand should be recognized and obeyed
ly the peoples representatives in the legisla-
tive branch of the government. In readjust-
iIg the burdens of federal taxation sound
public policy requires that such of our citi-
zeiis rs have built up large and important in
dustries under present conditions should not
b4 suddenly, and TO their injury, deprived of
advantages to which they have adapted their
business; but il the public good requires it
tuey should be content with such considera-
ton us shall deal fairly and cautiously with
their interests while the just demand of tha
people for lelef from needless taxation Is
honestly answered. A reasonable and timely
suhm ssion to such a demand should certainly
be possible without disastrous shock to any
interest; and a cheerful concession sometimes
averts abrupt and needless action, often tho
ontgIowth of iinpatence and delayed Justice.
Due regard should be also accorded in
- Amer can labor so far as they are involved.
We congratulate ourselves that there is
among us no laboring class fixed within UNI
yielding bounds and doomed under all con-
dtions to the inexorable fate of daily toll
Wa recognize in labor chief factor in the
wealth Of the republic, and we treat those
wuo have it in their keeping as citizens en-
til el 10 the most careful regard and thought
full attention. This regard and attention
should be awarded them, not only because
labor is the capital of our workingmen, Justly
entitled to its share of government favor, but
for the further and not less important rea-
son that the laboring man surrounded by his
family in his humble home, as a consumer,
is vitaliy interested in all that cheapens the
cost of living and enables him to bring
within his domestic circle additional com
for and advantages. This relation of the
W, r!iingman 20 the revenue laws of the
country, and the manner in which it palpably
influences the question of wages, should not be
forgotten in the justifiable prominence given
TO the proper maintenance of the supply and
protection of well paid labor And these
considerations suggest such an arrangement
OF government revenues as shall reduce the
expense Of living, while it doas not curtail
the opportunity for work nor reduce the
compensation of American labor, and injuri-
ously affect its condition and the dignified
place it holds in the estimation of our people.