Huntsville gazette., 1888-09-15
imposed upon such articles permit

OF Lne same KIM, WHICH luCftdoc, pdlu py stll
our people as consumers OF home productions
and entering every American home, constitutes
form of taxation as certain and as inevitable
as though the amount was annually paid into
the hands of the taxgatherer. These results
are insep arabic from the plan we have adopted
for the collection Of our revenue by tariff du-
ties. They are not mentioned to discredlt the
system, but by way of preface to the statement
that every million of dollars collected at our
custom houses for duties upon imported articles
and paid into the public treasury represent
many millions more which, though never reach
ing the National treasury, are paid by our cltl-
zens as the increased cost Of domestic produc-
| tions resulting from our tariff laws.
In these circumstances, and in view OF TINS
necessary effect of the operation of our plan
| for raising revenue the absolute duty of limit
ing the rate of tariff charges to the necessities
| of frrs >. and economical administration OF
| the GovXkLh olS seems to be perfectly PLAIN.
The coIs EagE1fJl a pretext OF meeting
public eH&s. 6ssgz2sbf such scale Of tariff
taxation as dN7aSs rom the substance Of the
people sum largely in excess or pubhc neeas
is surely somethingwhlch, under 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
necessities OF the Government are uncomplaln-
intolerable when not justified by such necessi-
ties. Unnecessary taxation is unJast taxation
And vet this is our condition. We are annually
collecting at our custom houses and by means
of our internal revenue taxation many mllllons
in excess of all legitimate public needs. AS
consequence, there now remains in the Ma
tional treasury a surplus of more than one
hundred and thirty millions OF dollars. No bet
ter evidence could be furnished that the people
are exorbitantly taxed
Taxation has always been the feature OF or
ganized government, the hardest to reconcile
with the peoples ideas of freedom and happl-
ness. When presented in a direct form moth
ing will arouse popular discomfort more
quickly and profoundly than unjust and
unnecessary taxation. Our farmers, me-
chanics laborers and all our citizens,
closely scan the slightest increase
In the taxes assessed upon their lands and 9th
er property and demand good reasons for such
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 SresNnt rate of tariff duties
with indifference not With favor The sur,
plus revenue noyfy yShsnhg in the treasury not
only furnishes Adse eausveproof of unjust taxa
ton, but its existefse Constitutes separate
and independent meIface to the prosperity of
the people. This 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 con-
sequences which follow the continual with
drawal and boarding by the Government of the
currency of the people are not of immediate i'm
portance to the mass of our citizens and only
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
struction of new and important works
and the enlargement of enterprises already es
tabnshed, depend largely upon obtai ing money
upon easy terms with fair security, and all
these things are stimulated by abundant
volume of circulating 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 a scarcity of money among
the people is the exaction OF severe terms for
its use Increasing distrust and timidity is fol-
lowed by refusal to loan or advance on any
terms. Investors refuse all risks and decline
all securitie ana in general fright the money
still in the hands Of the people is persistenty
boarded.
1t is quite apparent that when this perfectly
natural if not inevitable stage is reached de
preston in all business and enterprises will, as
a necessary consequence, lessen the oppor-
tunity for work and employment, and reduce
salaries and the wages of labor. Instead, then
of being exempt from the influence and effect
| 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 ALL 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 case
! of deness resulting from disputes between the
| laboring man and his employer, but it produces
an absolute and enforced stoppage Of employ
ment and wages.
| In reviewing the bad effects of this accumu-
| lated surplus and the scale of tariff rates by
| which it is produced we must not overlook the
| tendency toward gross and scandalous public
! extravaganza which a congested treasury in
duces in a time of profound peace substantially
the rate OF tariff duties imposed i'll time Of war
! when the necessities of the Government justi-
| fed the imposition OF the weightiest burdens
| upon our people.
| 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
| dt
| finance; some are delusiye. some are absurd,
and ONE betray by their reckless extravaganza
! the demorallzing influence Of a great surplus of
public money upon the judgments of individuals.
| While such efforts should be made as are 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 it is evident that if its distribution
| were accomplished another accumulation would
| soon take its place if the constant flow of re
dundar,s income was not checked at its source
| by reform in our'present tariff laws.
| We do not propose to deal with those condi-
tions by merely attempting to satisfy the peo-
pie of the truth of abs ofsr theories nor by alone
urging their assent to political doctrines. We
present to them the PROPOSITIONS that they are
| unjustly treated in the extent of present Fed
eral taxation, that as result a condition of ex-
| treme danger exists, and that it is for them 10
| demand a remedy and that defense and safety
| promised in the guarantees Of their free gov
| ernment. We believe that the same means
which 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 to the
country Of our domestic industrial ENTERPRISES