Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1886-12-11

- &c
ment Is paid by them as absolutely al
ded to the price of the things which
supply their daily wants, as If 1t was
paid at fixed periods into the hand OF
the taxgatherer.
THOSE WHO TOLL FOR DAILY WAGES
are beginning to understand that capi-
tai, though sometimes Wanting lis
importance and clamoring tor the pro-
lection and favor of the government,
is dull and sluggish ill touched by
the magical hand of labor 1t springs
into activity, furnishing an occasion
for federal taxation and gaining the
value which enables it to bear its bur-
den, and the laboring man is thought
fully inquiring whether in these cir
Gums tances, and considering the trib-
ute he constantly pays into the public
treasury as he supplies his daily wants,
if he receives his fair share of advaut-
ages.
There is also suspicion abroad that
the surplus of our revenues indicates
abnormal and exceptional business
profits which, under the present sys
tenn produces such surplus, an Increase
without a corresponding benefit to the
people at large. The vast accumuia-
tions of few among our citizens
| whose fortunes rival the wealth of the
most favored in the anti-democratic
nations are not the natural growth OF
q steady, plain and Industrious repub-
lie. Our farmers, too, and those en-
gagged directly and indirectly in sup
| plying 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 freer exchange of product
ions than we permit, enable their
people to sell for prices which distress
the American farmer. As every patri-
otic citizen rejOices in the constantly
increasing pride of our people i'll
American citizenship and in the glory
of our national achievements and pro-
gress, a sentiment prevails that the
Ieading-strings useful to nation in its
infacy may we'll, to great extent, be
discarded in the present stage of Amer
ican ingenuity, courage and fearless
self.reliance. 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 peo-
pie know that the average rate of fed
eral taxation upon imports to. day, il
time of peace, lis butllittle less, while up
upon some articles of Necessary consump
} ton it is actually more, than was i'm.
posed by the grievous burden willing
ly borne at time when the govern
, ment needed millions TO maintain, b'
war, the safety and integrity of tn
United States. 1t has been the polio,
of the government to collect the prin
b cipal part of its revenues by tax up
: on imports, and no change in this pol
icy is desirable; but the present condi
5 ton of affairs constrains our people t
demand that, by revision Of our rev
ment shall be reduced to the necessar
expense of its economical ADMINISTERS
ton; and this demand should be re
1 cognized and obeyed by the people
e. representatives in the legislative brsnc
O of the government. In readjusiing th
s burdens of federal taxation, soun
e public policy requires that such of on
e citizens as have built up large and i'm
d portant industries under present col
. ditions should not be suddenly, and I
70 their injury, deprived of advantages t
which they have adapted their busines
but if the public good requires it the
should be content with such considers
~ ton as shall deal fairly and cantious
- with their interests, while the Just d.
~ mand of the people for relief fro
D. needless taxation is honestly auswere,
- A reasonable and timely submissiC
to such demand should certainly
- possible without disastrous shock
,e any interest, and cheerful concessit
" sometimes averts abrupt and heedle
90 action, often the OutgrOwih of impa
% ence and delayed justice. Due regal
o9 should be also accorded, in any pr
" posed readjustment, to the interests
#, American labOrers, so far as they a
he involved.
e. We congratulate ourselves that the
I'd is among us no lsbOring class fix
~ within unyielding bounds, and DOOM
under all conditions to the inexurat
. fate of daily toll. We recognize
labor a chief factor in the wealth OF I
republic, and we treat those who ha
40 it in their keeping as citizens entitl
~. to the most careful regard and thOugi
''; ,o9 full attention. This regard and atte
,56 ton should be awarded them, not OIL
. because labor is the capital of O
workingmen justly entitled to its shs
,al of government favor; but for the fur
us er and not less important reason, ii
the labOring man, surrounded by
. family in his humble home, as a CO
- sumer is vitality interested In all Il
so cheaIens the cost of living and enab
0O W him TO bring within his domestic cir
wv additional comforts and advantage
This relation of the workingman to |
,o revenue laws of the country, and [
ho manner In which it palpably influen,
~ the question Of wages, shOnld not
Mas az forgotten in the justifiable prominer
15 given to the proper maintenance of |
ha supply and protection of well-p,
T., labor.
he REVENUE ARRANGEMENT SUGGESTS
aln And these considerations sugq
OF such an arrangement of governmt
d. revenues as shall reduce the expense
d. living, while it does not curtail the
TX portunity fUr work nor reduce
u compensation OF American labor .
OF injuriously affect its condition and
Is dignified place it holds in the estin
m ton of our people but our farmers 8
ate agriculturists those who from the
re- produce the things consumed by ,
iih are, perhaps, more directly and plai
te. concerned than any other of our ci
'nt zens III a just and careful system
III federal taxation. Those actually
ch gagged in and more remotely connec
rh with this kind of work number nea
,ss' one half the population. None lal
we harder or more continuously than tb
ast No enactments limit their hours of t
- and no interposition Of the governm
tne enhances, TO any great extent. the va