Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1888-09-20

imposse npon sech articles permrt Q
eof1espenajne increase I'm price to
% laid, upon domestic productions
of the same Kind, which increase, paid by al
our people as consumers OF home productions
and entering every American home, constitutes
Q form OF taxation as certain and rs Ins2itaole
as though the amount was annually poad into
the hands of the taxgatherer.- These results
are insep arabzs from the plan we have adopted
for the collection Of oure revenue by tarin du-
ties. They are not mentioned to discredtt the
system but by way Of preface to the statement
that every million G. dollars collected at our
custom houses for duties ulsn imported articles
4nd paid into the public treasury represent
many millions more which, though neverfeach-
ing the Nstional treasury. are paid by our citi-
sens oS the increased cost of domestic prodpc-
| tions resulting from our tarin laws. -
Ia these circumstances and in view OF this
l Necessary effect OF the operation OF our plan
| for raising revenue. the absolute duty of limit
OF frugal and economical administration Of
| the Government seeTAa - be perfectly plain
Tue continuance upon Pretext o; meeting
public expenditures OF such scale OF tariff
taxation Is draws from the substance OF the
I people . sum largely in excess of public needs
| 10 sufeiy s0me thing which, uader a govesument
| based upon Justice and which AndS its strength
and usefoiness in the faith aad trust OF the
people, ought not TO be tolerated.
Whlie the heaviest burdens incident to the
necessities OF the 0overnment are pncompfAm-
ingly borne, light burdens become grievous and
intoleyable when not justified by such necessi-
ties. Unnecessary taxation il unjust taxation.
| And yet this 10 our condition. We are annually
| collecting & our custom houses and by means
tof our isseFAalEevenue taxation many millions
in exees8 az oil Legitimate public needs. As
Consequence, there nov remains in the Ma
ffaonas treasury surplus Of more than one
| hundred ana thirty mfiions of dollars No bet
| ter evidence could be furnished that the people
IRE e1or6itantly taxed.
II a. <,fso
gained government, the hardest TO reconcile
with the peoples ideas Of freedom and happi-
ness. When presented in direct form moth
| ing will afouse popular dfscontent more
unnecessary taxation. Our : farmers, me-
chanics laboreIs and all our citizens.
closely scan Che slightest increase
| In the taxes assessed upon their lands and 9th
increase. And yet they seem TO be expected in
| some quarters TO regard the unnecessary vol
! ume of insidious and indirect taxation visited
! upon them by our present rate of tarih duties
with Indifference il not with favor. The sur
plus revenue noWremainIng in the treasury not
only furnishes conclusive proof Of unjust taxa
| ton, but its existence constitutes . separate
| and independent menace TO the prosperity OF
| the people This vast accumulation Of idle
| funds represents that much money drawn nom
the circulating medium OF the country which is
needed in the channels Of trade and business.
It is great mistake to suppose that the con-
| sequences WHICH follow the communal WILL
drawal and boarding by the Government OF the
currency of tho people are not OF immediate i'm
portance to the mass of our citizens. and only
A concerns those engaged in large financial
/ TRANSACTIONS In the restless enterprise and
Activity which free and steady 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 manufacture, the con
I struction OF new and important works
and the enlargement OF enterprises already es-
| tabhshed, depend largely upon obtai ing money
upon easy terms with fair security. and all
! these things are stimulated by an abundant
volume OF circulaf ng medium Even the har-
vested grain Of the farmer remains without a
market unless money is forthcoming for its
movement and transportation TO the Seaboard.
The first results of scarcity OF money among
the people is the exaction OF severe terms for
its Increasing distrust and timidity is fol-
| lowed by a refusal to loan or advance on any
| terms. Investors refuse all risks and decline
/ all securitic- and in Q general fright the money
stl1l in the hands OF the people is persistently
boarded. sra .-t-s
It is quite apparent that when this perfectly
na4ur8l il not inevitable stage 10 reached de
preston in all business and enterprises will. as
| . necessary consequence. lessen the oppor-
| tunity fog work and employment, and reduce
salaries and the wages OF labor. Instead, then
OF being exempt from the influence and effect
I Of the immense surplus lying idle in the Ma
] tional treasury our wage earners and others
who rely on their labor for support, are, most
Of Ill, directly concerned in the stu.
| ton. Others seeing the approach Of
danger may provide against it, but it will
find those depending on their daily toll for
bread unprepared. helpless and defenseless
| Such . state OF affairs does not present a case
OF idleness resulting from disputes between the
lsborng man and his employer, but it produces
an absolute and enforced stoppage Of employ
meat and wages.
! In reviewing the bad effects OF this accumu-
lated surplus and the ale of tariff rates by
| which il 1, produced We must not overlook the
tendency toward gross and scandalous public
leXtrayayance which . congeSted treasury in
duces in a time OF profound peace substantially
| the rate OF tariff duties imposed in time of war
I when the necessities OF the Cover justi-
fed the imposition OF the weightiest burdens
upon our people.
1 Divers plans have been suggested for the re-
turn OF this accumulated surplus to the people
and the channels of trade. Some of these de-
| vices are at variance with all rules of good
finance; some are delusiye. some are absurd
and ONE betray by their reckless extravaganza
the demOrallzing influence OF great surplus OF
public money upon the judgments of individuals
While such efforts should be made con-
sistent with public duty and sanctioned by
sound Judgment to avoid danger by the useful
disposition of the surplus now remaining in the
treasury IL is evident that IL its distribution
| were accomplished another accumulation would
soon take its place u the constant Cow OF re-
dundant income was not checked at its soerce
by a reform in osf present tariff laws.
/ We do not propose . deal with those condi-
tions by merely attempting 20 satisfy. the peo-
pie OF the truth OF abstract theories nor by alone
nfgIng their assent to political doctrines. We
present to them 9e propositions that they are
| unjustly treated in the exsent of Eresent Fed
aral taxation. that as result 6)conditiop of
trem9 danger exists. and that it is for them to
demand a remedy and that defense and safety
| promised In the guarantees of their free gov
| eminent We believe that the same means
| wQich are adopted to relieve the treasury of its
/ present surplus and prevent its recurrence
| 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 necessaries of life.
! We fully APPRECIATE the importance 70 the