Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1886-12-08
TARIFF REVISION.
An Argument In Favor of Reduction of
Rates OF TAxatiOD.

Rates of Taxation.
III my last annual message 10 Congress atteu.
lion directed to the fact that the revenues OF
the government exceed the actual needs and it
was suggested that legislative action should be-
taken to relieve the people from he unnecessary
burden of taxation thus made apparent. In view
OF the pressing importance OF the subject. deem
IL my duty to again urge lis consideration. The
income of the government with its increased vol
ume and through economy in its collection is
now more than ever in excess of public necessl-
ties. The application of the surplus TO the pay
ment of such portion OF the public debt as is
now at our option subject to eXtinguishment IL
continued at the rate which has lately prevailed
would retire that class of Indebtedness within
less than one year from this date Thus con-
tinnation Of our present revenue would soon re-
suit in The receipt of an annual income much
greater than necessary to meet government ex-
lenses. with no Indebtedness upon which 1t
could be applied We should then be confronted
with vast quantity of money, the circulating
medium of the people, boarded in the treasury
when il should be in their HAMS. or we should
be drawn into wasteful public eX Iavagance with
all The corruptive national decentralization which
follows in lis train.
But tits not the simple existence of this surplus
and its threatened attendant evils which furnish
the strongest argument against our present scale
of federal ta5aion. It's worst phase is the ex-
action of such surplus through q peryersion of
the relations between the people and their gov
eminent, n dangerous departure from the rule5
which limit the right Of federal taxation. Good
government of which every AmeIl-
jectS the protection of every person
within its borders with the greatest liberty con-
sistent with the good of the country, and his
perfect security in the enjoyment OF his earnings,
with the least possible dimnution for the public
needs When more of the peoples sustenance is
exacted through the form OF taxation than IS
necessary to meet the Just Obligations OF the gov
eminent and the expense. OF 1t. economical ad-
ministration. such action becom 8 ruthless ex-
tortCn and violation of the fundamental prin-
ciples of free government he ind rect man
ner Ill which these exactiOns are made has a ten
dency TO conceal their true character and their
extent. But have arrived at q stage
OF superhous revenue which has aroused the
people TO realization of the fact that the
amount raised pro- essedly for the support Of the
government is paid by them absolutely, If
added TO the price of the things which supply
their daily as If II was paid al fixed peri
DDS into the hands of the tax -gatherer. Those
who toll for daily wages are beginning to under
stand that capital, though sometimes vau ting
its importance and clamorng for the protection
gish TILL touched by the magical wand
Of labor, it springs into activity. furnish
ing an occasion for federal taxation and
gaining the value which enables it to
bear its burden And the labOring man. as
:hcas atfully inquiring whether in these circum-
stances. and considering the tribute he constantly
pays into the public treasury as he supplies his
daily wants, he receives his fair share of adj
vantaees. There is also suspicion abroad that
the surplus of our revenues indicates abnormal
and exceptional business profits which, under
the system which produces such surplus. in
crease without corresponding benebt to the peo-
pie at large The vast accommodations of a few
| among cltlZe1S, whose fortunes, rlVallnR the
wealth Of the most favored in anti Democratic
nations. the natural growth of 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 often as the daily wants of
their households recur, that they are excessively
and needlessly taxed while their products s,rug
gle in foreign markets with the competition of
nations which. By allowing freer exchange OF
production than we permit, enable their people
to sell for prices which distress the American
farmer
AS every patriotic citizen rejolces in the con-
stanty increasing pride OF our people in Ameri-
can citizenship, and in the glory Of our national
achievements and progress. sentiment prevails
that he leading strings useful to a nation in it's
infancy may we'll TO great extent be discarded
i'll the present stage of American ingenuity, cOur
a and fearless self reliance; and for the prig-
lege of induging this sentiment with true Ameri-
can enthusiasm our citizens are quite willing to
fOrego an idle surplus in the treasury. And all
the people know that the average rate OF federal
taxation upon imports is to-day in time Or
peace but little less-while upon some articles
OF necessary consumption II Is actually more
than was i'm posed by the grieyous burden will.
ingly borne Ut time when the government
needed millions to maintain by war the safety
and integrity of the United States 1t has been
the policy of the government TO collect the prin-
cipa part of its revenues by tax upon imports
and no Change in this policy is desirable.
But the present condition of affairs constrains
our people 10 demand that by revision OF our
revenue laws the receipts of the government
shall be reduced TO the necessary expense OF -its
should be recog and obeyed by the peoples
representatives in the legislative branch OF the
government In readjusting the burdens OF fed
eral taxation. sound public policy requires
that such of our citizens as have built up large
and important industries under present condi-
tons should not be suddenly and to their in
Jury deprived OF advantages to which they have
adapted their business, but ii the public
good requires it they should be content
with such consideration as shall deal fairly and
cautiously with tn cir interests, while the just de-
mand of the people TOR relief from needless tax
alton is honest and timely. Submission to such
disastrous shock to any interest; and cheerful
concession sometimes averts abrupt and needless
action. often the outgrowth of Impotence and
delayed justice. Due regard should be also ac-
corded in any proposed REIMBURSEMENT to the in
terests of American labor, so far they are in
volved.
We congratulate ourselves that there is among
US no laboTiDg class fixed within unyielding
bounds, and doomed under all condi-
cons to the memorable fate of daily toll. We
recognize in labor chief factor in the wealth of
the republic, and we treat those who have it in
their keeping citizens entitled to the most care.
gard and attention should be awarded them, not
only because labor is the capital OF our working
man. justly entitled to its share of government
favor, but for the further and not less i'm portsnt
/ reason that the laboring man, surrounded by his
family in his humble home, as consumer, is vi
tally interested in all that cheapens the cost of
living and enables him to bring within his do
nestle circle additional comforts and adj
vantages. This relation of the workingman
to the revenue laws of the country
and the manner in which it palpably influences
1