The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1886-12-10

period are S266 0O,090. indicating an anticipated
surplus at the close Of the year Of s9o,000,000.
EXPORTS.
The total value of the exports from the
United States to foreign countries during the
fiscal year is stated and compared with the pres
ceding year as follows:
1886. 1885.
Domestic mdse $685. 964, $50 90 $726 $50 9l6 90
Foreign mdse ...... l3,560,301 90 15,506S09 90
old.............-.. q, 952. 191 90 3,477,S92 90
Silver.............. 29511,210 90 sS,75s,63S 90
Our imports during the last fiscal year, as
compared with the previous year, were as fol-
lows:
Merchandise $500. $685., 436, 1875 s579, $50, 80
S Sf1a, 80 @ 81 e c ~
SILVER .ssssisG4Iss.. 11,o00,3O7 IL, 55O, 623. 90
REDUCTION OF THE REVENUE.
In my last annual message to Congress at
tention was directed to the fact that the reven-
ueS OF the Government exceed its actual needs;
and it was suggested that legislative action
should be taken to relieve the people
from the unnecessary burden of taxation
thus made apparent. In view of the press
ing Importance of the subject, l deem it my
duty to again urge its consideration. The in
come OF the Government, with its increased
volume and through economies in its collection,
is now more than ever in excess of public
necessities. The application Of the surplus to
the payment of such portion of the public debt
ment, il continued at the rate which has lately
prevailed, would retire that class of indebted
ness Within less than one year from this
date Thus continuation of Our present
revenue Would soon result in the receipt of an
annual income much greater than necessary to
meet Government expenses, with no indebted
ness upon which it could be applied. We should
then be confronted with q vast quantity of
boarded in the treasury, when it should be in
their hands, or we should be drawn into waste
full public extravaganza with all the corrupting
National decentralization which follows in its
train.
But it is not the simple existence of this sur
plus and its threatened attendant 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 pefverSion OF the relations between the peo-
pie and their Governments dangerous de-
parture from the rules which limit the right of
Federal taxation,
When more of the peoples sustenance is ex-
acted through the form OF taxation than is nee
essary to meet the just obligations of the Gov
eminent and the expense OF its economical adj
miniStration; such action becomes ruthless eX-
tortion and a violation of the fundamental pain
ciples of free government. The indirect man.
ner in which these exactions are made has a
tendency to conceal their true character and
their extent.
But we have arrived at stage of superf1uous
revenue which has aroused the people to q re-
aliZation of the fact that the amount raised
professedly for the support of the Government,
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 hands OF the tax-gatherer. Those
who toll for daily wages are be-
ginning to understand that capital,
though sometimes Wanting its impor-
lance and clamoring for the protection and fa-
vor 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 con-
stantly pays into the public treasury as he sup
plies his daily wants, he receives his fair share
of advantages.
There is also suspicion abroad that the sur
plus Of our revenues indicates abnormal and eX-
ceptional business profits, which, under the
system which produces such surplus increase,
without corresponding benefit to the people at
large, the vast Accommodations of a few among
our citizens whose fortunes, rivalling the
wealth of the most favored in antidemocratic
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 production than we permit,
enable their people to sell for prices which dis
tress the American farmer. AS every patriotic
citizen reJoices in the constantly-in-
creasing pride of our people in
American citizenship, and in the glory
of our national achievements and progress, o
sentiment prevails that the leading-Strings use
full to a nation in its infancy may well, to a
great extent, be discarded in the present stage
of American ingenuity, courage and fearless
selfreliance. 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.
REVISION OF THE REVENUE LAW.
1t has been the policy OF the Government to
collect tho principal part of its revenues by a
tax upon imports, and no change in this policy
is desirable. But the present condition of af-
fairs constrains our people to demand that by a
revision of our revenue laws the receipts Of the
Government shall be reduced to the necessary
expenses Of its economical administration, and
this demand should be recognized and obeyed by
the peoples representatives in the legislative
branch of the Government. In readjuStng the
burdens OF Federal taxation, sound public pol
icy requires that such of our citizens as have
built up large and important industries nnder
present conditions should not be suddenly, and
to their injury, deprived of advantages to which
they have adapted 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
demands of the people for relief from needless
taxation is honestly answered. A reasonable
and timely submission to such demand should
certainly be possible without disastrous shock
to any interest: and cheerful concession some
times averts abrupt and needless action, often
the outgrowth of impatience and delayed JUS
tice.
AMERICAN LABOR.
Due regard should be also accorded in any
proposed reimbursement to the interests of
American labor so far as they are involved. We
congratulate ourselves that there is among US
no laboring class, fixed within unyielding
bounds, and doomed under all conditions to the
memorable fate of daily toll. We recognize in
labor chief factor in the wealth of the Repub-
lie, and we treat those who have it in their
keeping as citizens entitled to the most
careful regard and thoughtful attention. This
regard and attention should be awarded them,
not only because labor is the capital of our
working-men, Justly entitled to it's share of
Government favor, but for the further and not
less important reason that the laboring man,
surrounded by his family in his humble home,
is virtually interested in all that cheapens the
cost of living and enables him to bring within
advantages. This relation of the working
man to the revenue laws of the country,
and the manner j. which it palpably influences
the question of y 1ges, 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 sug-
gest such an arrangement OF Government rev.
enues as shall reduce the expense of living.
while it does not curtail the opportunity for
work nor reduce the compensation OF American
labor and iniuriously affect its condition and the
OlglHeQ place IL NOUS IN the GStiHlaLlOn OF our
people.
But our farmers and agricuturists, those
who from the soil produce the things consumed
by ALL are perhaps more directly and plainly
concerned than any other of our citizens in q
just and careful system OF Federal taxation.
Those actually engaged in and more remotely
connected with this kind of work number near
~ one-half OF our population; none labor hard
er or more continuously than they. No
enactments limit their hours Of toll, and
no interposition of the Government en-
hances to any great extent the value
of their products; and yet for many of the nee
essaries and comforts OF life, which the most
scrupulous economy enables them to bring into
their homes, and for their implements of hus-
bandry, they are obliged to pay price largely
increased by an unnatural profit, which, by the
action of the Government, is given to the more
favored manufacturer. recommend that, keep
ing in view all these considerations the increas-
ing and unnecessary surplus of National income
annually accommodating be released to the
people, by an amendment TO our revenue laws,
which shall cheaper the price Of the neces-
saries OF life and give freer entrance to such
imported materials as by American labor may
be manufactured into marketable commodities
Nothing can be accomplished, however in the
direction of this much-needed reform unless
the subject is approached in patriotic spirit
of devotion to the interests of the entire coun-
try and with a willingness 10 yield something
for the public good
THE wAR-vESSELS.
The report Of the Secretary of the Navy con-
department with such statement of the action
IN a111