The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-09-10

light burdens become grievous and intolerabe
when not justified by such necessities Unuec-
essary taxation is unjust taxation; and vet this
is our condition. We are annually collecting at
our custom houses. and by means Of our inter
nal revenue taxation, many millions in excess
of all legitimate public needs.
TIN SURPLUS
AS n consequence, there now remains in the
national treasury surplus of moro than
| Sl30, 100000. No better evidence could be fur
nshed that the people are exorbitantly taxed.
The extent of the Supertiuous burden indicated
by this surplus will be better appreciated whtm
10 is suggested that such surplus alone repre-
sents taxation aggregating more than Sl0e,0O
in county containing $4,000 inhabitants.
Taxation has always been the feature of
organized government hardest to reconcile
WITH the peoples ideas OF freedom and happi-
ness.
When presented in direct form nothing will
arouse popular discomfort more quickly and
profoundly than unjust and unnecessary tax l.
ton. Our farmers, mechanics, laborers, and
all our citizens closely scan the lghtest increase
IN taxes assessed upon their lands
and other properly, aud demand G goot
reason for such increase. and yet they s5em TO
be expected in some quarters to regard the un-
necessary volume of hsidious and Indirect tax
alton visited upon them by our present rate
Of tariff duties with indifference, II not with
favor
MENACE TO THE PEOPLE.
The surplus revenue now remaining in the
treasury not only furnishes conclusive proof Of
unjnst taSation. but its existence constitutes Il
Senrate aud independent menace To the pros
perity OF the people, InS vast accumulation of
lille funds represents that much money drawn
FROM t,lE Ecircuating medium of the country
wAica dsFreded in the channels of trade aud
business. II is great mistake to suppose that
the consequences which follow continual
withdrawal and boarding by the
government of the currency OF
the people ore not of immediate mporta nee
to the mass of our citizens and only concerns
thOetA Qnad largo financial n
In the restless enterprise and activity which
free and ready money Among the people pro
duces, is found that opportunity for labor and
employment aad that impetus to busiuoss and
production which bring in their train prosper
ity to our citizens in every station and vocation
New ventures, new Investments in business and
manufacture, the construction of new and Inn
portant works, and the enlargement of enter
priseS already establShev depend
largely upon obtaining money upon
easy terms with fair security; and all these
OF circulating medium. Even the harvested
grain OF tine farner remains without market
unless money is forthcoming for its movement
and transportation To the seaboard
RESULTS OF sTRINoENcY.
The first results of a scarcity of money
among the people Is the eXHction of severe
terms for its use. Increasing distrust and
timdty is followed by a refusal TO loan or ad
vance on any terms, Investors refuse all risks
and decline all Securieies, and in the general
fright the money still in the hands Of the peo
pie, is persistently boarded II is quito APP
parant that when this perfectly natural, If
not inevitable, stage Is reached, de-
preston in all busiiess and enterprises
will, as a necessary consequence, lessen the op-
pOrtunity for work and employment, and re-
duce the salaries and wages of labor Instead
then. of being exempt from the influence and
effect or an Immense surplus lying Idle In the
national treasury, our wage earners, and others,
who rely upon their labor for support, are most
of all directly concei ned in the situation Others
seeing the approach OF danger may provide
against il, but il will find those depending upon
their daily toll for bread unprepared helo-
less and defenseless. Such state of affairs
does not present case of idleneSs resulting
from disputes between the laboring man and
his employer, but it produces an absolute and
inforccd stopPage OF employment and wages.
ENCOURAGES sCANDALoUs ExTRAvAGAHcE.
In reviewing the had effects of this
accumulated surplus, and the scale of
tariff rates by which It is produced
gross and scandalous public extrava2ance
which a congested 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 necessities of tbs government justi-
fled the imposition Of the weightiest burdens
upon the people.
Divers plans have been suggested for the
return of this accumulated surplus to the people
and Che channels OF trade. Some OF these devices
are at variance with all rules of good
finance, some arc ueIuBlVt, some arc
some betray by their reckless extra vaRance the
demoraliZing influence Of a great surplus Of the
public money upon the judgment OF individuals
While such efforts should be made as are con
sistent with public duty and sanctioned by sound
judgment to avoid the danger by useful dis
position OF the surplus now remaining in the
treasury, 1t is evident that If its distribution
were accomplished another accumulation woll 1
soon take its place If the constant flow or the re-
dundaut income was not checked at its source
by reform in our present tariff laws.
PLAIN PROPOSITION.
We do not propose to deal with these con
ditons by merely attempting to satisfy the
people of the truth of abstract theories nor by
alone urging their assent 10 a political doctrine
We present TO them the propositions that they
are unjustly treated in the extent Of the present
federal taxation. that as q result a condition Of
extreme danger exists, and that II Is for them
to demand remedy, and that defense and
safety promised in the guarantee Of their free
government. We believe that the same means
which are adopted 10 relieve the treasury of it's
present surplus and prevent It's reoccurrence
should cheaper to our people the cost of supply
ing their daily wants. Both of these objects
we seek IN part TO gain by reducing the present
tariff rates upon the Decessaries OF life. We
fully appreciate the Importance to the country
of our domestic industrial enterprises. In
rectiflcation OF the existing wrongs their main
tainance and prosperity should be carefully and
in friency spirit considered, even suoh reliance
upon present revenue arrangements as have
been invited or encouraged should be fairly and
justly regarded.
NO ABRUPT CHANGE INTENDED.
Abrupt and radical changes, which might
endanger such enterprises and injIriously
affect the interests of the labor de-
pendent upon their success and continu-
ance, are not contemplated or intended.
But we know the cost OF our domestic manu-
factured products Is increased, and their prizes
to the consumer enhanced by the duty imposed
upon the raw material used in their manufac-
ture. We know that this increased cost pre-
markets in competition with those countries
which have the advantage OF free raw material
We know that confined TO a home market our
manufacturing operations are curtailed, their
demand for labor irregular, and the rate Of
wages paid uncertain We propose, therefore,
10 stimulate Our domestic industrial enterprises
by freeing from duty the imported raw mate
rials whic b, by the employment OF labor are
used in our home manufactures, thus extending
the markets for their sale and permitting in
creased and steady production with the allow
anoe of abundant profits.
LABOR TO BIZ PROTECTED.
True to the undertaking course Of the Demo
cratic party, we will not neglect the interests OF
labor and our worklngmen In all efforts 10 rem
edy the existing evils. We will furnish no ex-
cuse for loss Of employment or reduction of
the wages Of honest toll On the contrary, we
propose In any adjustment Of our rev.
aud advantage TO the employers OF domestic
labor US viii easily compensate for any differ
ence that may exist between the standard OF
wages which should he paid to our laborng
men and the rate allowed In other countries
We propose, too. by extending the markets for
our manufacturers to promote the steady EN-
ployment Of labor, while by cheapening the
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