Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1888-08-23
Questions Answered.

"To THE EDITOR: I understand that the
Times claims to be independent of party ties,
and as such submit few queries, to which
would like short, explicit replies. I do
this with no ulteriOr views, but that the po-
sition of the paper may be fairly understood:
81. II it is sound policy to raise 81 &c, ,0O0,-
00O annually by taxes on whisky, beer, and
tobacco, why is it not still better policy to
If many venture 60 suggest 1 should prefer
that the reply be limited to the theory of
such taxation without reference to difficulties
of collection.
be insisted upon as an Endorsement of low
tariff doctrines?
..3. Is there any difference in principle
between the Mills bill making an average re-
duction of per cent, and the Morrison bill
of reduction of 20 per cent? and II so
wherein consists the difference?
"A. II reduction in the tariff is made
will 1t not increase importation, and thus
increase the receipts OF the government in
stead of tending to do away with u surplus?
Is sound policy for the people Of the United
States to buy where they can buy the cheap.
est, and that legislation should be directed
to the accomplishment Of that results
The Times does not believe there is
any necessity for answering the fore
going ques tions in order to make its
position known from day to day, and
no one who reads 1t nderstandingly
can have any difficulty in finding out
what its position is. Nevertheless it
will answer:
l. It would be good policy to raise
twice as much revenue from pernicIous
luxuries or indulgences If it were prac-
tIcable and the additional revenue were
needed. But 1t is not needed. and
therefore the whole question, including
that of practicability, is not relevant to
any matter now in controversy before
the public.
2. The position of the president on
the tariff question Is clearly defined in
his last annual message. His letter of
acceptance maay define 1t more clearly.
The Times does not pretend to know
what will be insisted on in the event OF
his election. Nobody will have right
to insist that his election means an In,
dorsement of anything more than he
has himself said in relation to the tar
iff. 1t will, of course, he an Indosement
of something lower than our outrageous
AZ per cent. war tariff.
8. The Morrisonsb is not now before
the country. The Mills bill speaks for
itself. The principle involved is that
OF relieving the people from $50. .000, 600
of tariff taxes, and probably at least as
IuuCA hOI0 Vi sbllDutc UOW DAfu III
wealthy beggars. It is no matter what
the difference is between the Morrison
bill and the Mills bill.
A. II depends on bow the reduction
is made whether. It will cause All in
crease of revenue. The Mills bill would
undoubtedly cause q large decrease.
There would, of course, be decrease
equal to the whole amount row deriv-
ed from articles which the bill transfers
to the free list-some $23, 900 900. There
would he a decrease, dobtless, In inn
portations of other articles, because it
would pay better to produce them here
If the materials of which they are made
were on the free list. For instance,
there would be decrease probably In
the importation of woolen goods, and
therefore a greater decrease Of revenue
than is indicated by the decrease in the
tariff taxes on such goods. And 80,
doubtless, Of other articles on which
tariff taxes are reduced. The bill as 2
whole would probably reduce the rev.
enue more than $50, ,0OO, 900.
1t is best for an indivinual to sell
where he can sell dearest and buy
where he can buy cheapest. Every
man of sense does exactly that; ana
what is good for one man is good Tor
any number of men. The principle ls
that everyone should produce that 81
which he can produce the most AND Inc
best. Thus, Ly exchanging. everyone
can get the fullest and best satisfaction
of his wants. Legislation should have
regard to that end. Itsh0uld also have
regard TO existing conditions, and uot
unnecessarily injnre tsta bIislteu liidus.
tries. The presidents messag agc is goou
reading in this connection. - t'ssco00 {
II