Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1888-09-13

upon all those who buy these articles Tor
use and consumption. l suppose, too,
il is well understood that the effect Of
this tariff taxation is not limited to the
consumers Of imported articles, but that
the duties imposed upon such articles
permit a corresponding increase in price
70 be laid upon domestic productions Of
the same kind, which increase. paid by
all our people as consumers of home
productions. and entering every Ameri-
can home, constitutes form of taxa
ton as certain and inevitable as though
the Anount was annually paid into the
hands of the tax gatherer.
These results are inseparable from the
plan we have adopted for the collection
of our revenue by tariff duties. They
are not mentioned to discredit the sys-
TEN but by way of preface to the state
ment that every million of dollars col
lected at our custom houses for duties
upon imported articles and paid into the
public treasury, represent many millions
more which, though never reaching the
National Treasury, are paid by our citl-
ZenS as the increased cost of domestic
productions resulting from our tariff
! laws.
In these circumstances and in view of
the necessary effect of the operation of
our plan for raising revenue, the abso-
lutte duty of limiting the rate of tariff
charges to the necessities of frugal and
economical administration of the govern
ment seems to be perfectly plain. The
continuance, upon a preteXt of meeting
public expenditures, of such scale of
tariff taxation as draws from the sub
stance of the people sum largely IN eX-
cess of public needs is surely something
which under a government based upon
justice and which finds its strength and
usefulness in the faith and trust of the
people, ought not to be tolerated. While
the heaviest burdens incident to the ne
cessities of the government are uncOm-
plainingly borne, light burdens become
grievous and intOlerable when not justi
fed by such necessities.
Unnecessary taxation is unjust taxa
ton. 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 eX-
cess Of all legitimate public needs. As a
consequence there now remains in the
National Treasury a surplus of more than
one hundred and thirty millions of dol
lars. No better evidence could be fur
nished that the people are exOrbitantly
taxed. The extent of the SuperfluOus
burden indicated by this surplus will be
better appreciated when it is suggested
that such surplus alone represents taxa
ton aggregating more than one hundred
and eight million dollars in a country
containing 60,000,000 inhabitants.
Taxation has always been the feature
of organized government the hardest to
reconcile with the peoples idea of free
dom and happiness. When presented
in a direct form nothing will arouse pop
ular discomfort more quickly and pro-
foundly than unjust and unnecessary
taxation. Our farmers, mechanics, Ia
bOrers, and all our citizens, closely scan
the slightest increase in the taxes assess
ed, upon their lands and other property,
and demand good reasons for such in
crease. And yet they seem to be expect
ed; in some quarters, to regard the I'M
necessary volume of insidious and indi-
rect taxation visited upon them by our
present rate of tariff duties with indif-
ference. if not with favor.
The surplus revenue now remaining
in the Treasury not only furnishes con-
elusive proof of unjust taxation, but its
existence constitutes a separate and in
dependent menace to the prosperity of
the people.
The vast accumulation 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 con-
tinual withdrawal and boarding by the
government of the currency Of the peo-
pie are not of immediate importance to
the mass of our citizens, and only con-
Germs those engaged in large financial
transactions.
In the restless enterprise and activity
which free and ready money among the
people produces is found that opportuni-
ty for labor and employment, and that
impetus to business and production
which bring in their train prosperity to
our citizens in every station. New ven
lures, new investments in business and
manufacture, the construction of new
and important works, and the enlarge
ment of enterprises already established
depend largely upon obtaining money
upon easy terms with fair security; and
all these are stimulated by an abundant
volume of circulating medium; even the
harvested grain of the farmer remains
without a market, unless money is forth
coming for its movement and transpOr-
tatiOn to the SeabOard.
The first result of a scarcity of money
among the people is the exaction of Sc
we're terms for its use.
Increasing distrust and timidity is
followed by refusal to loan or advance
on any terms. Investors refuse all risks
and decline all securities, and in a gen
eral fright the money 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 |
enterprise will, as necessary cOnse-
quence, lessen the opportunity for work |
and employment, and reduce salaries
and the wages of labor.
Instead, then, of being exempt from
the influence and effect of an immense
surples lying in the National Treasury,
our wage-eamers and others who rely
upon their labor for support are most of
all directly concerned in the situation.
Others seeing the approach of danger
NAV provide against it, but it will find |
those depending upon their daily toll
for bread unprepared, and defenseless.
Such a state of affairs does not prevent
a case of idleness resulting from dis
putes between the lab0ring man and his
employer, but it produces an absolute
and enforced stoppage of employment
and wages,
In rc,rinr,rirnr rr tho bnd ofrnnh, c,f Ill, |