Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1886-12-16

EXTRACTS FROM THE PRESIDENT )
MEssAGE.-The income of the gov
eminent, by its increased volume and
through economies in its collection, is
now more than ever in excess of pub
lie necessities. The application of
the surplus to the payment of such
portion of the public debt as is now at
our 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 a con-
tinuation of our present revenue sys-
tenn would soon result in the receipt
Ut an annual income much greater
than necessary to meet government
expenses, with no Indebtedness upon
which it could be applied We should
then be confronted with vast guam
tity 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 wasteful
public extravaganza with all the COR
rupting national decentralization which
follows in it's train.
But it is not the simple existence Of
this surplus and it's threatened atten-
dsnt evils which furnish the strongest
argument against our present scale Of
federal taxation. It's worst phase is
the exaction of such surplus through
a perversion of the relations between
the people and their government, and
a dangerous departure from the rules
which limit the right OF federal taxa
ton.
Good government, and especially
the government of which every Amer
lcan citizen boasts, has for its objects
the protection Of every person within
It's care in the greatest liberty consis-
tent with the good order OF society and
his perfect security in the enjoyment
OF his earnings, with the least possible
dlmiuution for public needs. When
more Of the peoples substance is ex-
acted through the form OF taxation
than Is necessary TO meet the Just ob
legations of the government and the
expense Of its economical administra-
ton, such eXaction becomes ruthless
extortion and violation Of the tunda-
mental principles OF free government.
The indirect manner in which these
exactions are made has tendency 10
conceal their true character and their
extent. But We have arrived at a
stage OF supertiuous revenue which
has aroused the people to a realization
OF the fact that the amount raised pro-
tessedly COR the support of the govern
ment is paid by them as absolutely, if
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 tsx.sathsrsr.
Those who toll for daily wages are
beginning 10 understand that capital,
though sometimes Wanting its impor-
lance 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. furnishing an occasion for
federal taxation and gaining the value
which enables it to bear its burden.
And the laboring man is thoughtfully
inquiring whether in these circum-
stances, and considering the tribute he
pays into the public treas
ury as he supplies his daily wants, be
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 favor
ed in anti,DemOcratic nations, are not