Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1888-09-14

COME except Wnat may pe MS falr contriDu-
ton 10 necessary public expense. Therefore
il is not only the right, but the duty OF free
people, in the enforcement OF this guaranty, ,
TO insist hat such expense should be strictly
limited 10 the actual public needs. 1t seems
perfectly clear that when the government
this nstrumentality created and maintained
by the people 10 do their bidding, turns upon
them, and through AN utter perversion OF its
powers EFFORTS from their labor and CAPITAL
tribute largely in excess of public necessities,
the creature has rebeled against the creator
and the masters are robbed by their servants.
TARIFF DUTIES.
The cost of the Government must continue
to be met by the tariff duties collected at our
custom houses upon imported goods and by
internal revenue taxes assessed upon spurious
and malt liquors, tobacco and oleomargarine
suppose it is needless to explain that all
these duties and assessments are added TO the
price Of the articles upon which they are levied
and thus become tax upon all those who
buy these articles for use and consumption.
| suppose, too, it is well understood that the
effect of this tariff taxation is not limited TO
the consumers of imported articles, but that
the duties imposed upon such articles permit
| a 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 hand
| of the tax gatherer.
| These results are inseparabe from the plan
we have adopted for the collection of our
revenue by tariff duties They are not men
toned 10 discredit the system, but by way of
| preface to the statement that every million Of
| dollars collected at our custom houses for du-
ties upon imported articles and paid into the
| pnblic treasury, represents many millions
more, which, though never reaching the ma
tional treasury, are paid by our citizens as
| the increased cost of domestic productions re-
| sulting 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
limiting the rate of tariff charges 10 the ne
cessites of frugal and economical admins
| tration Of the Government, seems TO be per-
| fectly plain. The continuance, upon pre-
text Of meeting public expenditures, of such
| scale OF tariff taxation ~ draws from the
| substance Of the people u sum largely in ex-
cess OF public needs, is surely something
which, under Government based upon JUS
| tice, and which finds its strength and useful
ness 10 the faith and trust of the people,
| ought not TO be tolerated.
While the heaviest burdens incident to the
| necessities OF the Government are uncom-
| plainingy borne, light burdens become griev-
| Gus and intolerable when not justified by such
| necessities.
Unnecessary taxation is unjust taxation
| And yet this is our condition. We are au-
| nually collecting at our custom houses and
| by means of our internal revenue taxation,
| many millions in excess of all legitimate pub
| lie needs. As ii consequence there now re-
mains in the National Treasury a surplus of
more than one hundred aud thirty millions
| of dollars
No better evidence could be furnished that
the people are exorhitantly taxed. The ex-
tent of the superfiuous burdens indicated by
this surplus will be better appreciated when
il is suggested that such surplus alone repre-
sents taxation aggregating more than one
hundred and eight thousand dollars in a
connty containing fifty thousand inhabitants
Taxation has always been the feature of or
ganized government; the hardest 10 reconcile
with the peoples ideas of freedom ind happi-
ness. When presented in direct form moth
ing " i'll arouse popular discomfort more qnick-
ly ana profoundly than uni Just and unneces-
sary taxation. Our farmers, mechanics la
borers and all our citizens closely scan the
slightest increase ia tn. taxes assessed upon
their lands and other property, and demand
good reason for such increase. And yet they
seem to be expected, in some quarters, 10 re-
gard the unnecessary volume Of insidious and
indirect taxation visited upon them by our
present rate of tariff duties with indifference,
il not with favor.
The surplus revenue now remaining liz the
Treasury not only furnishes conclusive proof
of unjust taxation, but its existence consti-
tutes separate and independent menace TO
the prosperity Of the people
This vast accumulation OF idle funds repre-
srnts that much money drawn from the cir
culaling medium of the country, which is
needed in the channels OF trade and business.
1t Is great mistake to suppose that the
consequences which follow the continual with.
dawal and boarding by the Government of
the currency Of the people are not of immeii-
ate importance TO the mass Of citizens, aud
only concern those engaged in large financial
transactions
BOARDING OF MONEY.
In the restless enterprise and activity which
free and ready money among the people pro-
ducts, is found that opportunity for labor and
employment and that impetus TO business aud
production, which bring in their train pros
peritr to our citizens in every station and vo-
cation, New ventures, new investments in
business aud manufacture, the construction
OF new and important works, and the enlarge.
meat of enterprises already established, de-
pend largely upon obtaining money upon
easy terms with fair security; aud all these
things are stimulated by an abundant volume
OF circulating medium. Even tho harvested
grain OF the farmer remains without a market.
nniess money is forthcoming for its movement
and transportation to the seahoard.
The first result of scarcity of monev amoup
the people is the exaction of severe terms for
its use Increasing distrust and timidity is
followed by II refusal to loan or advance on
any terms. Investors refuse all risks and de-
cline all securities, and in general fright the
money still in the hands OF the people is per-
sistently boarded. 1t is quite apparent that
when this perfectly natural, ii not Inevitable,
stage is reached, depression in all business
aud enterprise will, as n necessary conse-
qucnce, lessen the opportunity for work aud
employment, and reduce salaries and the
wages Of labor.
Instead, then, of being exempt from the
influence and effect of an immense surplus
lying idle in the National Treasury, our wage
earners and Others who rely upon their labor
for support, are most Of all directly concerned
IN The situation. Others seeing the approach
OF danger may provide against it, but it will
find those depending upon their daily toll for
bread unprepared, helpless and defenseless.
Such n state ct affairs does not present case
OF idleness resulting from disputes between
the laboring man and his employer, but it
produces an absolute aud enforced stoppage
of employment aud wages
lu reviewing the bad effects of this accumu-
lated surplus and the scale of tariff rates by
which il is produced, we must not overlook
the tendency towards gross and scandalous
public extravaganza which congested treas
ury induces, nor the fact we are maintaining,
without excuse, in time of profound peace,
su ostantiallv the rate OF tariff duties imposed
in time OF war, when the necessities OF the
government justified the imposition of the
weightest burdens upon the people.
Divers plans have been suggested for the re-
turn OF this accu INFLATED surplus TO the people |
aud the channels OF trade. Some of these de-
vices are at variance with all rules of good |
iinance; some are decisive, some are absurd,
and some betray by their reckless extrava-
gauce the demoraliZiug influence of great |
surplus Of public money upon the Judgments
Of individuals.
While such efforts should be made as are
consistent with public duty and sanctioned
by sound judgment, 10 avoid danger hy the
IL.