Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1888-09-13

torts from their labor and capital tribute large
IL In excess of public necessii!rs the creature
has rebelled against the creator and the masters
are robbed by their servants.
The cost Of the Government must continue to
be met by tariff duties collected vi our custom
houses upon imported goods AMI by internal
revenue taxes collected upon slirituous and
malt liquors. tobacco and oieonargarine. 7
suppose it is needless to explaio that these du-
ties and assessments are added TO tie price of
the articles upon which they are levied and
thus become tax upon all those who buy these
articles for use and consumptiCn l suppose,
too, it is well understood that the effect Of this
tariff taxation is not limited 10 lie consumers
of imported articles. but ti.'t the duties
imposed upon such articles permit q
corresponding increase in price to
be laid upon domestic productions
OF the same kind, which increase, paid by all
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 discredit 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 citi-
zens as the increased cost of domestic produc-
.tions resulting from our tariff laws.
In these circumstances. and in view Of this
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 a frugal and economical administration of
the Government seems to be perfectly plain.
The continuance upon preteXt OF meeting
public expenditures of such a scale of tariff
taxation as draws from the substance of the
people a sum largely in excess Of public needs
is surely something which, under a 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-
ingly borne, light burdens become grievous and
intolerable when not justified by such necessi-
ties. Unnecessary taxation is unjust taxation.
And yet this is our condition. We are annually
collecting at our custom houses and by means
our internal revenue taxatlon many mIlI1ons
in excess of all legitimate public needs. AS
consequence, there now remains in the Ma
tional treasury 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 happi-
ness. When presented in 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 present rate of tariff duties
with indifference if not with favor. The sur
plus revenue now remaining 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 from
the circulating medium of the country which is
needed in the channels of tr de and business.
1t is 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 an abundant
volume of circulat ng medium Even the har-
vested grain of the farmer remains without
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 exacton 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 and in a general fright the money
still in the hands of the people is persistently
hosr.-- -,orer+ thot 1vhe, +bis ner,ac+,v
n.,,r.1 - no aV i5:av,ta, stage is reached de-
preston in all business and ento.. -
q necessary consequence, lessen the Vr-
tunity for work and employment ana reduce
salaries and the wages Of labor. Instead, tnen
of being exempt from the influence and eHect
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 1t Will
find those depending on their daily toll 1or
bread unprepared, helpless and defenseIess.
Such state of affairs does not present case
of idleness resulting from disputes between the
laboring man AM his employer, but 1t 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 i, produced we must not overlook the
tendency toward gross and scandalous public
extrava ance which a congested treasury In
duces in a time of profound peace substantially
the rate of tariff duties imposed in 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-
vices are at variance with all rules OF good
finance; some are delusiye. some are absurd,
and some betray by their reckless extravaganza
the demoraliZing influence Of 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 il its distribution
were accomplished another accumulation would
soon take its place if the constant flow Of re-
dundant income was not checked at its source
by a reform in our present tariff laws.
We do not propose 10 deal with those condj-
tons by merely attempting to satisfy the peo-
pie of the truth of abstract theories nor by alone
urging their assent TO political doctrines. We
present to them the propositions that they are
uniustly treated in the extent Of present Fed
eral taxation that as result condition OF ex-
treme 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
which are adopted to relieve the treasury of its
present surplus and prevent its recurrence
should cheaper to our people the cost Of supply