San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1888-09-27

nels of trade and business.
1t is q great mistake to suppose
that the consequences which follow
the continual withdrawal and hoard
ing by the government OF the curren.
cy Of the people are not Of immediate
Importance to the mass of our citi
zens, and only concern those engaged
in large financial transactions.
In the restless enterprise and &C.
tivity which free and ready money
among the people produces is found
that opportunity for labor and en-
ployment and that impetus to bust
ness and production which bring in
their tram 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 established, depend largely
upon obtaining money upon easy
terms with fair security; and all these
things are stimulated by an abundant
volume of circulating medium. Even
the harvested grain Of the farmer re-
mains without q Market unless mon
ey is forthcoming for its movement
and transportation TO the sea-board.
The first results of o scarcity Of mon
ey among the people is the exaction
OF severe terms for its use. Increas-
ing distrust and timidity is followed
by q refusal to loan or advance on
any terms. Investors refuse to risk
and decline all securities, and IN a
general fright the money still in the
hands of the people is persistently
boarded. It is quite apparent that
when this perfectly natural If not in
evitable stage is reached, depression
in all business and enterprise will, as
o necessary consequence, lessen the
opportunity for work and employ
ment, and reduce salaries and the wa
ges of labor.
Instead, then, of being exempt from
the influence and effect of an i'm
monse surplus lying in the National
Treasury, our wage-earners and 9TH
ers who rely upon their labor for sup
port, are most of all directly concern
ed in the situation, Others seeing the
of danger may provide
against it, but it will find those de-
pending upon their daily toll for
bread, helpless and defenseless. Such
o state of affairs does not present o
case of idleness resulting from dis
putes between the iaboring man and
his employer, but it produces an ab-
solute and enforced stoppage OF en-
ployment and wages.
In reviewing the bad effects of this
accumulated surplus and the scale OF
tariff rates by which it is produced,
we must not overlook the tendency
toward gross and scandalous public
extravaganza which congested treas
ury induces, nor the fact that we are
maintaining without excuse, in q time
Of profound peace, substantially the
rate of tariff duties imposed in time
Of war, when the necessities OF the
justified the imposition
Of the weightiest burdens upon the
people.
Divers plans have been suggested
for the return of this accumulated
surplus to the people and the chan
nels of trade. Some of these devices
are at variance with oil rules of good
finance; some are delusive, some are
absurd and some betray by their
reckless extravaganza the demoraliz-
ing influence OF great surplus OF
public money upon the Judgment OF
in dividuals.
While such efforts should be made
10 ore consistent with public duty,
and sanctioned by sound judgment,
10 avoid danger by the useful dispo-
sition of the surplus now remaining
IN the treasury, it is evident that il
It's distribution were accomplished,
another accumulation would soon
take its place. il the constant flow OF
income was not checked
1t its source by q reform in our
present tariff laws.
We do not propose TO doal with
hose conditions by merely attempt
ng TO satisfy the people OF the truth
,f abstract theories, nor by urging
heir assent to political doctrine. We
present to them the propositions that
hey are unjustly treated in the ex-
,ent OF present Federal taxations;
hat, as a result, q condition OF ex-
RENE danger exists, and that it is for
hem 10 demand q remedy and that
iefense and safety promised in the
guarantees Of their free government.
We believe that the same means
which are adopted TO relieve the treas
Iry Of its present surplus and prevent
Is recurrence should cheapen TO our
people the cost Of supplying their
iaIly wants. Both OF these objects
We seek in part to gain by reducing
he present rates upon the necessaries
,f life.
We fully appreciate the importance
o the country Of our domestic indus
rial enterprises. In the ratification
II existing wrongs their mainten-
nee and prosperity should be care
ully and in friendly spirit consider
d. Even such reliance upon present
-evcnue arrangements as have been
invited or encouraged should be fair
y and Justly regarded Abrupt and
adical changes which might endanger
uch enterprises and injuriOusly af-
ect the intfsrests Of labor dependsnt