Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1888-09-13


grievous and fntolerable when not justified by
such necessities. Unnecessary taxation is un-
Just taxation; and yet this is our condition; we
are annually collecting ut our custom houses
and by means of our internal revenue taxation,
many millions in excess of all legitimate pub
lie needs. AS consequence there now remains
In the National Treasury surplus of more
than one hundred and thirty millions of dollars
No better evidence could be furnished that the
people are exorbitantly taxed. The extent of
the superfluous burden Indicated by this sur
plus will be better appreciated when it is sug-
gested that such surplus alone represents taxa
ton aggregating more than one hundred and
eight thousand dollars in country containing
fifty thousand Inhabitants.
Taxation has always been the feature of Or
ganized government the hardest to reconcile
with the peoples ideas of freedom and happi-
ness. When presented in direct form. moth
ing will arouse popular discomfort more quickly
and profoundly than unjust and unnecessary
taxation: farmers mechanics. laborers and all
our citizens closely scan the slightest increase
in the taxes assessed up on their lands and 9TH
er property, and demand good reasons for such
increase. And yet they seem to be expected,
in some quarters. to regard the unnecessary
volume of lnsidious and indirect taxa'ion WIS.,
tied upon them by our present rate of tariff
duties with Indifference, if not W. tn favor.
The surplus revenue now remaining in the
Treasury not only furnishes conclusive proof
of unjust taxation. but its existence constitutes
separate and independent menace to the
prosperity of the people. This vast accumula-
Iion of idle funds represents that much money
drawn from the circulating medium of the
country, which is needed in the channels of
trade and business. 1t is a great mistake to
suppose that the consequences which follow
the continued withdrawal and boarding by the
Government of the currency of the people are
not Of immediate Importance to the mass of
our citizens, and only concerns those engaged
in large financial transactions. In the restless
enterprise and activity which free and ready
money among the people produces, is found
that opportunity for labor and employment,
and that impetus to business and production.
which bring in their train prosperity to
CT liens in every station and vocation. New
ventures, new investments in business and
manufacture, the construction of new and i'm
portant works, and the enlargement of enter
prises already established, depend large
1y upon obtaining money upon easy
terms with fair security; and all
these things are stimulated bv an abundant
volume of circulating medium. Even the har
vested gram of the farmer remains without
market. unless money is forthcoming for its
movement and transportation to the seaboard.
The first results of a scarcity of money among
the people is the exaction of severe terms for
its use; increasing distrust and timidity is fol-
lowed by refusal to loan advance on any
terms. Investors refuse all risks and decline
all securities. and in a general fright the money
boarded 1t is quite apparent that when this
perfectly natural, if not inevitable, stage is
reached, depression in all business and enter
prise will. as a necessary consequence. lessen
the opportunity for work and employment, and
reduce salaries and the wages of labor.
Instead, then, of being exempt from the in
huence and effect of an immense surplus lying
idle in the National Treasury. our wage-earners
and others who rely upon their labor for sup
port. are most OF all directly concerned in the
situation. Others, seeing the approach OF dam
ger, may provide against it, but it will find
those depending upon their daily toll for bread
unprepared, helpless and defenseless. Such
state of affairs does not present a case of idle
ness resulting from disputes between the labor
ing man and his employer. but it produces an
absolute and enforced stoppage of employment
and wages. In reviewing the bad effects of
this accumulated surplus and the scale of
tariff rates by which it i, produced, We must
not overlook the tendency towards gross and
scandalOus public extravaganza which con-
gested treasury induces nor the fact that we
are maintaining, without excuse, in a time of
profound peace. substantially the rate of tariff
duties imposed in time of war. when the neces
stiles Of the Government justified the imposi-
ton of the weightiest burdens upon the peo-
pie.
Divers plans have been suggested for the re-
and the channels of trade. Some of these de-
vices are at variance with all rules of good
finance; some are delusive: some absurd,
and some betray by their reckless extravaganza.
tn. democrat zing influence of q great surplus
of public money upon the judgments of individ-
uals. While such efforts should be made as
are consistent with public duty and sanctioned
by sound judgment to avoid danger by the use
full disposition of the surplus now remaining in
the Treasury, it is evident that If it's distribu-
tion were accomplished another accumulation
would soon take its place, il the constant flow
of redundant income was not checked at it's
source by a reform in our present tar fl laws.
We do not propose to deal with these condi-
lions by merely attempting to satisfy the peo-
pie of the truth of abstract theories. nor by
alone urging their assent to political doctrine.
We present to them the propositions that they
are unjustly treated in the extent of present
federal taxation; that as q result a condition
of extreme danger exists. and that it is for
them to demand remedy and that defense
and safety promised in the guarantees OF their
free Government. We believe that the same
means which are adopted To relieve the treas
ury of its present surplus and prevent its re-
currence, should cheaper to our people the
cost OF supplying their daily wants. Both of
these objects we seek in part to gam by reduc-
ing the present tariff rates upon the necessar.es
of life. We fully ap reciate the Importance to
the country Of our domestic Industrial enter
prises. In the rectification of existing wrongs,
their ma ntenance and prosperity should be
carefully and in q friendly spirit cons:d-
u.
revenue arrangements as have been invited or
encouraged should be fairly and justly regard
ed Abrupt radical changes, which might
endanger such enterpr. ses and injuriously az
feet the interests of labordependent upon their
success and continuance are not contemplated
or intended. But know the cost OF our
d mest;c manufactured products is increased
and their price to the consumer enhanced by
the duty imposed upon the raw material used
in their manufacture. We know that this in
creased cost prevents the sale OF our produc-
lions at foreign markets in competition with
those countries which have the advantage Of
free wv material. We know that. confined to
u home market. our manufacturing operations
are curtailed, their demand foI labor irreg-
ular. and the rate OF wages paid uncertain. we
propose, therefore, to stimulate our domestic
Industrial enterprises by freeing from duty the
imported raw materials which. by the employ
ment of labor are used in our home manufact-
ures, thus extending the markets for the + sale
and permitting an increased and steady pro-
duction with the allowance of abundant
profits.
True to the undertaking course of the Demo-
cratic party we will not neglect the interests
of labor and our workingmen. In all Efforts TO
remedy existing evils, we will furnish no ex-
cuse for the loss of employment or the reduc-
ton of the wages of honest toll. On the con-
trary we propose in any adjustment OF our
revenue laws to concede such encouragement
and advantage to the employers OF domestic Ia
Dor as will easily compensate for any difference
that may exist between the standard OF wages
which should be paid 10 our laboring men and
the rate allowed in other countries. We pro-
pose, too, by extending the markets for our
manufactures, to promote the steady employ
ment of labor, while, by cheapening the cost OF
the necessaries of life. We increase the purchas-
ing power of the workingman's wages. and add
to the comforts of his home
And before passing from this phas Sc OF the
question am constrained to express the opin-
ion that while the interests of labor should