The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1888-09-15
TAXATION REFORM ADVISED.

TAXATION REFORM ADVISED.
The pledges contained in the plat
form adopted by the late convention OF
the national democracy lead to the
advancement OF these objects and
insure good government-the aspira-
ton of every American citizen and the
motive for every patriotic action and
effort. In the consciousness that much
has been done in the direction of good
government by the administration, and
submitting its record to the fair inspec-
ton of my cOuntrymen, | lndorse the
platform thus presented, with the de-
termination that, If am again called
TO the chief magistracy, there shall be a
continuance of the devoted endeavor
to advance the interests of the entire
country.
Our scale of federal taxation and its
consequences largely engrOss at this
time the attention Of our citizens and
the people are sOberly considering the
necessity of measures OF relief. Our
government is the creation of the peO
pie, established to carry out their
designs and accomplish their good. 1t
was founded on justice and was made
for free, intelligent and virtuous
people. 1t is only useful when within
their control and only serves them well
when regulated and guided by their
constant touch. 1t is free govern
ment because il guarantees to every
American citizen the unrestricted per-
sonal use and enjoyment of all the
reward of his toll and of all his income,
except what may be his fair contribu-
ton to necessary public expense.
Therefore it is not only the right but
the duty of free people, in the
enforcement of this guaranty, to insist
that such expense should be strictly
limited to the actual public needs. 1t
seems perfectly clear that when the
government, this instrumentality created
and maintained by the people to dc
their bidding, turns upon them and,
through an utter perversion of its pow,
ers, ,extorts from their labor and capital
tribute largely in excess of public
necessities, the creature has rebelleC
against the creator and the masters
are robbed by their servants.
TARIFF ABUSES POINTED OUT.
The cost of the government mus
continue TO be met by tariff duties col
leCted at our custom houses upoI
imported goods and by internal reve
} nue. taxes collected upon sDirituous ant
malt liquors, tobacco and eieOmarga
rine. | suppose it is needless to explain
that the duties and assessments ar
D added to the price of the articles upol
which they are levied and thus becom
D il tax upon all those who buy thes
, articles for use and consumption.
"a NrN.It hn
0 the effect of this tariff taxation is no
limited 10 the consumers OF importe
, articles, but that the duties impose
y upon such articles permit correspond
ing increase in price to be laid upo
% domestic productions of the same kint
which increase, paid by all our peopl
N as consumers of home productions an
" entering every American home, con
stitules form OF taxation as certai
and rs inevitable as though the amour
was annually paid into the hands (
W the taxgather. These results are il
separable from the plan we ha,
Do adopted for the collection of our rey
enue by tariff duties. They are N
W mentioned to discredit the system, b
Nv by way of preface to the statement th
every million of dollars collected
our custom houses Tor duties upt
imported articles aud paid into Il
public treasury represent many m
lions more which, though never reac
ing the national treasury, are paid
.s. our citizens as the increased cost
domestic productions resulting fro
our tariff laws.
)u In these circumstances, and i'll vie
Al H. t.,fN NIn 4
su of our plan for raising revenue. t
I'll absolute duty of limiting the rate
CD tariff charges to the necessities OF
sc frugal and economical administrati
nc of the government seems to be perfe'
st ly plain. The cont uance upon
ed pretext of meeting public expenditur
of such a scale of tariff taxation
lie draws from the substance of the peol
en- a sum largely in excess Of public nee
RI is surely something which, under
Is government bases upon Justice a
no which finds it strength and usefulnt
lil in the faith and trust of the peop
10 ought not to be tolerated.
:" UNNECESSARY TAXATION UNJUST.
he While the heaviest burdens incidt
;ts to the necessities of the governnt
.e. are uncomplainingly borne. light br
ch dens become grievious and intoleral
If. when not justified by such necessiti
en- Unnecessary taxation is unjust taxatit
,or And vet this is our condition. We {
pr. an nnuallycollecting at our custom hou
,ts and by means of our internal rever
* taxation many millions in excess OF
20 legitimate public needs. AS con
I'M quence, there how remains i'll
m. national treasury surplus OF mt
,va than one hundred and thirty millit
,h, OF dollars. No better evidence CO..
of be furnished that the people are ex
bitantly taxed. The extent of
superfluous burden indicated by I
surplus will be better appreciated wi
hat it is suggested that such snrI lus alt
ent represents taxation aggregatlnS m
lin than one hundred and eight thousa
al dollars in a county containing 90,
10 inhabitants.
per Taxation has always been the featl
tn of organized government the hard
me to reconcile with the peoples ideas
ose freedom and happiness. When
ern sented in direct form nothing v
re. arouse popular discomfort more quic
i and profoundly than unjust and UNI
our essary taxation. Our farmt
ncy mechanics, ,laborers and all our citiZC
'os closely scan the slightest increase
lp- the taxes assessed upon their lal
Ut and other property anu demand g
ain reasons for such increase. And
nal they seem to be expected in sc
eur quarters to regard the unnecesS
be- volume of insidlous and Indirect ia!
an ton visited upon them by our pres
Ter rate of tariff duties with indifference
Gus not with favor. The surplus reve
mi now remaining in the treasury not
lor, furnishes conclusive proof OF un.
ust taxation, but its existence constitl
our a separate and independent menace
OK the prosperity of the people. I
cies vast accumulation of idle funds rel
ad- sents that much money drawn fl
'ple the circulating medium of the coui
ard which is needed i'll the channels
anu trade and business.
Lo1 IMPORTANT TO ALL GLASSES,
ces 1t is 81 great mistake to suppose
Dli- the consequences which follow
.op- continual withdrawal and boarding
ion the government OF the currency OF
lich people are not of immediate imports
ing to the mass Of our citizens, and {
our concerns those engaged in large fin
our cial transactions. In the rest
OF enterprise and activity which free
au- ready money among the people
; duces is found that opportunity
the labor and employment and that III
ld u tus to business and production w
,scd bring in their train prosperity to
to citizens in every station and Nocat
ness New ventures, new Investments
rpV- bnSinpSS and manufacture, inc