The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1888-04-12

much thereof as may be considered
proper TO the purchase or redemption
OF United States bonds" To nave
thus used the surplus would have been direct
and business like, just what prudent business
man would have done with his idle money
called in his creditors. and applied il TO his
debts. The President failed 70 90 this and
when Congress assembled '':he condition" con-
f-onted it. II the House had even then sppre-
ciated the situation, how promptly and easily
It could have, in part, ct least, relieved it, II
could have been done in the first week of De-
cemker by abolishing the entire tobacco tar,
amounting 70 S3o0oJ,ooo annually, and thereby
remove great burden from the
agricultural producers Of the country; by re-
leving also from taxation alcohol used in the arts
and manufactures, which II Is estimated would
amount to &, o0O, 900 more. This simple PROPOSE
ton would have received e practically unanf-
nous vote in the House and the approval Of the
country and have stopped the collection OF g.
o00, 600 . month md IL it had been promptly done
there would now be tl2, 900 less surplus in
the treasury and We venture 70 predict that the
reduction that could have been thus secured was
greater than the reduction which will be &C.
compliShed by this bill The majority failed TO
seize the opportunity. II seems impossible for
the party Of the majority In the House TO pass .
revenue bill snd reducs taxation This has
DeeE ltk tlLQOSb experiences Wnlle ID
control OF the House.
The report says that from 1858 to 1855 the
control of the House of Representatives
political parties, each having eleven years.
During the eleven years OF Republican
control the revenues were reduced (esti-
mated) 1852 5o4, SEQ; during the eleven
years Of Democratic control the revenues
-, In e
OF the present minority party in the House
of $3.50 135. 634.
In concluding the report the minority say: It
is manifest that the responsibility for the pres
eut monetary conditions which SO alarms the
country does not rest with the minority party
in the House but with the President ana the
majority in Congress They can not escape It.
The President mas for three years failed wnile
having the power to avoid the financial con-
dtion he now complains OF. The majority in
the House for six years has sig
nally tailed to provide for a reduction OF the
revenue. They can not avoid responsibility
for the evils which are now upon US and while
these are beyond their power 10 retrieve they
can by courage and wisdom and governed by
business principles provide against like evils
in the future. They must now act or make
public confession OF failure. The minority re-
gard this bill not as a revenue reduction
measure. but as direct attempt TO fasten
upon this country the British policy OF free
foreign trade. So viewing it, their sense Of
obligation to the people, and especially the
working people employed in manufacturing and
agriculture in all sections of our common coun-
try, impels them TO resist it with all their pow
eT. They will assist the majority in every eff
fort TO reduces the redundant income OF the Gov
eminent in a direct and practicable way. but
every effort at fiscal legislation which will de-
stroy or enfeeble our industries, retara materi-
al development or tend to reduce our labor to
the standard OF other countr es, will meet with
the persistent and determined oPposil ION Of the
minority represented in the House