The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1886-12-09
FEDERAL TAXATION.


In my last annual message to congress atten-
tion was directed to the fact that the revenues
of the government exceed it's actual need, and it
was suggested that legislative action should be
taken to relieve the people of the unnecessary
burden Of taxation thus made apparent. In
view of the pressing Importance Of the subject,
deem it my duty to again urge its considera-
ton The income Of the government, with its in
creased volume and through economies In Its
collection, Is now more than ever III excess Of
public necessities. The application OF the sur
plus to the payment Of such portion of the pub
lie debt as is now at our option, subject to ex-
tinguishment if continued at the rate which has
lately prevailed, would retire that class OF in
debtedness within less than one year from this
date. Thus continuation OF our present rev.
enue would soon result In the receipt Of an
| annual income much greater than neces-
| sary to meet government expenses. with no
indebtedness upon which 1t 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 1T should
be In their hands. or we should be drawn into
| wasteful public extrayagance with all the COR
| rupting national decentralization which follows
| in its train. Busir e not the simple existence
| evils which furnish tha s1nGess arsument
against our present scale OF fesefal taxation Its
worst phase is the exaction Of suoh a surplus
| through 8 perversion OF the relations between
| the people and their government. q dangerous
| departure from the rules which limit the right
| of federal taxation. Good government, OF which
| the
| PROTECTION OF EVERY PERSON
within its borders with the greatest liberty c0n-
| sistent with the good Of the country. and his
| perfect security in the enjoyment of his earn
| ings, with the least possible dmiuution for the
public needs. When more OF the peoples sus-
tenance is exacted through the form OF taxat tton
than is necessary to meet the just obligations OF
| the government and the expense OF Its econom-
| ical administration, such action becomes ruth
| less extortion. and q violation Of the funda.
| mental principles Of q free government. The
| indirect manner in which these exactions are
| made has tendency to conceal their true char
acter and their extent: but we have arrived at a
tage of superauous revenue. which has
tloI Of the fact J that the amount
raised professedly for the support Of the govern
ment is paid by them rs absolutely. il added to
the price Of the things which supply their daily
wants. az IL 1t were paid at fixed periods Into the
/ hands Of the tax gatherer. Those who toll for
| daily wages are nning to understand that
| capital though sometimes Wanting It's tmpor-
| tAnce and clamoring for the protecti n and favor
touched BY the maQical wand Of labor. it springs
into activity, furnishinR an OCCASION Tor federal
| taxation and gaining the value which enables It
to- beays ia burden; and the aDorinx man IS
thoqkhtfulfF inQuirin9 .whethef n these cir
rusnst tassoes. -urd consiaerinH -tife tribure
| he constantly pays into the Vpnhlic treass
urvs 80 af4e gsuppliesF his; daily wants.
tks yed9l9ae his 0tr share 81 fdysn!aSss Sa M
plus Of opr reyeApea indicstes abr0fnM aud'exs
| ceteiond busfAass pfOfta (which under the ays-
| tenn which produces such surplus increase with
out corresponding