Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1886-12-09

gument against our present scale of fed
eral taxation. Its worst phase is the
exaction of such surplus through a
perversion of the relations between the
people and their government, and dan
gerous departure from the rules which
limit the right of federal taxation. Good
government, and especially the govern
ment of which every American citizen
boasts, has for its object the protection
of every person within its care in the
greatest liberty consistent with the good
order of society and his perfect security
in the enjoyment of his earnings
with the least possible elimination tor
public needs. When more of the peO-
ple's substance is eXacted through the
form of taxation than is necessary to
meet the just Obligations of the govern
ment and the expense of its economical
administration, such exaction becomes
ruthless eXtOrtion and a violation of the
fundamental principles of free gov
eminent The indirect manner in
which these exactions are made has
tendency to conceal their true charac-
ter and their extent, but we have arrived
at state of superfuOus revenue which
has aroused the people TO a realization
Of the fact that the amount raised pro-
fessedly for the support of the govern
meut is paid by them as absolutely, il
added to the price of the things which
supply their daily wants. as if it was
paid at fixed periods into the hand of
the tax gatnerer. Those who toll for
daily wages are beginning to understand
that capital, though sometimes vaunting
its Importance and clamorlng for the
protection and favor of the gov
ernment, is dull and sluggish, till, touch
ed by the magical hand of labor, it
springs into activity furnishing an Occa-
sion for federal taxation and gaining
the value which enables it to bear its
burden. And the labOring man is
thoughtfully inquiring whether, in these
and considering the trib-
ute be constantly pays into the public
treasury as he Supplies his daily wants,
he-receives his fair share of advantages.
There is also suspicion abroad, that
the surplus of our revenues indicates
abnormal and exceptional business prof
It's which, under the system which pro-
dnces such surplus, increase without
benefit to people at large
and are the vast accumulatiOnS of few
among our citizens whose fortunes, Iiv-
aing the wealth of the most favored in
anti Democratic nations are not the nat
ural growth of steady, plain and in
dustrious republic. Our farmers, too,
and those engaged directly and indirect>
ly in supplying the products of agricul-
tura, see that day by day. and as often
IL "a al 10
recur, they are forced TO pay excessive
and needless taxation, while their prod
ucts struggle in foreign markets with
The competition of nations, which, by
allowing freer exchange of productions
than we permit, enable their people to
sell for prices which distress the Amer
lean farmer.
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 nation in
its infancy, may we'll be to great eX+
tent discarded in the present stage of
American ingenuity, courage and fear+
less self-reliance; and. for the privilege
American enthusiasm, our citizens are
quite willing to foregO an idle surplus
in the public treasury. All the people
know the average rate of federal taxa
tion upon imports is today. 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 II
time when the government needed
millions to maintain by war the safety
aud integrity of the Union.
REVISION OF REVENUE LAWS.
1t has been the policy of the govern
ment 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 affairs con-
stratus our people TO demand that, 0y a
revision of our revenue laws, tue receipts
of the government shall be reduced to
the necessary expense of its economical
administration. aud this demand should
De recognized and obeyed by the peo-
pies representatives in the legislative
branch of the government.
In readjGsting the burdens OF federal
taxation, d sound public policy requires
that such of our citizens as have built
up large and important industries un-
der present conditions, should not be
suddenly, and to their injury, deprived
of advantages to which they have adapt
ed 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 taxation is honestly
answered. a reasonable and timely
submission to such demand should
certainly be possible without disastr
uus shock to any interest; and "A carefnl
concession sometimes averts abrupt and
needless action, often the outgrowth of
impatience and delayed Justice.
Due regard should be also accorded in
any proposed readjustment to the inter
ests of American labor So far as they
are involved. We congratulate our
selves that thyTe is among ns no labor
ing class fixed in unyielding bounds and
doomed under all conditions in the mex
orable fate of daily toll. We realize in
labor a chief factor in the wealth. of the
Republic, and we treat those who have
il IN taair keeping as citizens entitled to
the most careful regard and thoughtful
attention. This regard and attention
should be awgrdsG them, not only be
cause labor is the capital Df our work
lug men justly entitled to its share of
government favor, but for the further