St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-09-22

| from the plan we have adopted for the eofies
| tion Of our revenue by tariff duties. They are no
mentioned to discredit the system, but by way
OF preface to the statement that every milIfor
OF dollars collected at our custom-hJuses fo
| duties upon imported articles and paid fntt
the public treasury, represents many million!
more, which, though never reaching the Ma
tional Treasury, are paid by our citizens as
the increased cost Of domestic productions
resulting from our tariff laws. In these circum
stanoes and in view of this necessary effect Of
the operation of our plan for raising revenue
the absolute duty Of limiting the rate OF tariff
charges to the necessities OF frugal and
economical administration Of the Government,
seems to be perfectly plain. The continuance
upon pretext OF meeting public expenditures
OF such scale Of tariff taxation as draws from
the substance of the people sum largely ID
excess OF public needs; is surely something
which, under government based upon justice,
and which finds its strength and usefulness in
the faith and trust OF the people, ought not tc
be tolerated While the heaviest burdens lnci-
dent to the necessities Of the Government are
uncomplainingly borne, light burdens become
grievous and intolerable when not justified by
such necessities Unnecessary taxation Is un-
just taxation; and yet this is our condition; we
are annually collecting at our custom houses
and by means OF our internal revenue taxation.
many millions In excess Of all legitimate pub
lic needs. AS consequence there now remains
in the National Treasury q 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 super1uous burden indicated by this sur
plus will be better appreciated when 1t is sug-
gested that sucb surplus alone represents taxa.
tion aggregating more than one hundred and
eight thousand dollars in a country containing
fifty housand 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 O 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 nnd 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 ,nsidous and indirect taxation Wis
tied upon them by our present rate OF tariff
duties with Indifference, II not with favor.
The surplus revenue now remaining in the
Treasury not only furnishes conclusive proof
OF unjust taxation. but its existence constitutes
a separate and independent menace to the
prosperity Of the people. This vast accumula-
tion 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 It is O 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
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 our
citizens in every station and vocation. New
ventures, new investments in business and
the construction Of new and im-
portant works, and the enlargement OF enter
prses already established, depend large
ly upon obtaining money upon easy
terms with fair security; and all
these things are stimulated by an abundant
volume Of circulating medium. Even the har-
vested grain Of the farmer remains without q
market, unless money is forthcoming Tor its
and transportation to the seaboard
The first results Of O scarcity Of money among
the people Is the exaction OF severe terms for
Its use; increasing distrust and timidity Is fol-
lowed by q refusal to Loan or advance on any
terms. Investors refuse all risks and decline
still in the hands of the people is persistently
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 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
duence and effect Of an immense surplus lying
idle in the National Treasury, our wage-earners
N
port. are most OF all directly concerned in the
situation. Others, seeing the approach Of dan
ger, may provide against it, but 1t will find
those depending upon their daily toll for bread
helpless and defenseless. Such a
state Of affairs does not present a case Of idle
aess resulting from disputes between the labor |
ing man and his employer, but it produces an |
absolute and enforced stoppage OF employment |
md wages. In reviewing the bad effects OF
his accumulated surplus, and the scale OF
arif rates by which 1t Is produced, we must |
lot overlook the tendency towards gross and |
candalouS public extravagance which con- |
rested treasury induces, nor the fact that we |
ire maintaining, without excuse, in time OF !
Profound peace, substantially the rate Of tariff |
luties imposed in time Of war, when the neces- |
titles OF the Government justified the imposi- |
ion of the weightiest burdens upon the peo- |
lie.
Divers plans have been suggested for the re- |
urn OF this accumulated surplus to the people |
md the channels OF trade. Some OF these de- |
ices are at variance with all rules Of good |
nance; some are delusive; some are absurd, |
nd some betray by their reckless extravaganza, |
he demoralzing influence of a great surplus |
# public money upon the judgments OF individ-
als. While such efforts should be made as |
re consistent with public duty and sanctioned
y sound Judgment to avoid danger by the USE
ul disposition OF the surplus now remaining in
he Treasury, 1t IL evident that il its distribu-
ion were accomplished another accumulation |
Fould soon take its place. If the constant flow
4 redundant income was not checked at its
ource by reform in our present tarin laws.
We do not propose to deal with these eondi-
Ions by merely attempting to satisfy the peo-
lie of the truth OF abstract theories nor by
lone urging their assent to political doctrine.
We present to them the propositions that they
re unjustly treated in the extent of present
ederal taxation, that as result a condition
extreme danger exists, and that 1t is for
hem to demand q remedy and that defensef
nd safety promised in the guarantees Of tho ,
rec Government. We believe that theff theffreas. E
leans which are adopted to relfeyat its 70 t
~ OF Its present surplus and pH people the I
ost of supplying their 94 to gain bv rednc- | +
aese objects we seek ips upon the necessaries I
lg the present. tariff fecfate the importance 10 | q
life. We shllz domestic industrial enter 8
1e country o'feotifcation OF existing wrongs,
rises. 1Aenance and prosperity should be | n
aeir " and in friendly spirit consid- p
areS Even such reliance upon present b
n"-ss1rrangements as have been invited or t
~suraged should be fairly and justly regard L
Abrupt radical changes, which might ! y
LANCER such enterprises and injuriously af- c
t the interests Of labor dependent upon their p
,cess and continuance, are not contemplated Il
intended. But we know the cost of our a
nestle manufactured products is increased Il
their price to the consumer enhanced by n