Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1888-09-20

ed, in some quarters, to regard the unneces
sary volume of insidious and indirect taxa
tion visited upon them by our present rate
of tariff duties with Indifference, if not with
favor.
DRAWN FROM THE CHANNELS OF TRADE
The surplus revenue now remaining in
the treasury not only furnishes conclusive
proof of unjust taxation, but its existence
constitutes separate and independent men,
ace to the prosperity Of the people. This
vast accumulation of idle funds represents
that much money drawn from the circula-
ting medium of the country which is needed
in the channels of trade and business.
1t is great mistake to suppose that the
consequences which follow the continual
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 concern those engaged in
large financial transactions.
WHAT BRINGS PROSPERITY.
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 our citizens in
every station and vocation New ventures,
new investments in business and manufac
ture the construction of new and important
works, and the enlargement of enterprises
already established, depend largely upon
obtaining money upon easy terms with fair
security, and all these things are stimulated
by an abundant volume of circulating me-
dium. Even the harvested grain of the far
mer remains without market unless
money is forthcoming for its movement and
transportation to the seaboard.
INEVITABLE OUTCOME OF THE SYSTEM.
The first result of scarcity of money
among the people is the exaction of severe
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
general fright the money still in the hands
of the people is persistently boarded. 1t is
quite apparent that when this perfectly nat
ural, if not inevitable, stage is reached, de-
preston in all business and enterprise will,
as a necessary consequence, lessen the op-
portunity for work and employment, and
reduce salaries and the wages of labor, In
stead, then, of being exempt from the in
fuence and effect of an immense surplus ly-
ing idle in the national treasury, our wage
earners and others who rely upon their la
Dor for support are most of all directly con-
cerned in the situation. Others, seeing the
approach of danger, may provide against it,
but it will find those depending upon their
daily toll for bread unprepared, helpless
and defenseless. Such a state of affairs
does not present a case of idleness resulting
from disputes between the laboring man
and his employer, but it produces an abso-
lutte and enforced stoppage of employment
and wages
In reviewing the bad effects of this accu-
mulated surplus and the scale of tariff rates
by which it is produced, we must not over
look the tendency towards gross and scan
dalous public extravaganza which a cougest
ed treasury induces, nor the act 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 the government justified
the imposition of the weightiest burdens
upon the people.
NO PLAN SURE WITHOUT CHANGE OF LAW.
Divers plans have been suggested for the
return of this accumulated surplus to the
people and the channels of trade. Some of
these devices are at variance with all rules
of good finance some are delusive, some are
absurd, and some betray by their reckless
extravaganza the demoralizing influence of
a great surplus of public money upon the
judgments of individuals.
While such efforts should be made as are
consistent with public duty and sanctioned
by sound judgment to avoid danger by the
useful disposition of the surplus now re.
naming in the treasury, it is evident that if
its distribution were accomplished another
accumulation would soon take its place if the
constant flow of redundant income was not
checked at its source by a reform in our
present tariff laws.
THE PEOPLE DEMAND A REMEDY.
We do not propose to deal with thesecon
ditions by merely attempting to satisfy the
people of the truth of abstract theories, nor
by alone urging their assent to political doc
trine. We present to them the propositions
that they are unjustly treated in the extent
of present federal taxation, that as a result
a condition of extreme danger exists, and
that it is for them to demand a 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 treasury of its pre-
sent surplus and prevent its recurrence
should cheaper to our people the cost Of
supplying their daily wants. Both of these
objects we seek in part to gain by reducing
the present tariff rates upon the necessaries
of life.