The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1888-09-13

was annually paid into the hands of
the taxgatherer. These results are
insepaFable from the plan we have
adopted for the collection OF our
revenue by tariff duties. They are
not mentioned 10 discrelit the sys-
TEN, but by way OF preface to the
statement that every million OF dol
lars collected at our custom houses
for duties on imported arti-
Giles and paid into the pub
tic treasury represents many millions
more which, though never reaching the
national treasury, are paid by our citi-
Zens as the increased cost of domestic
productions resulting from our tariff
laws.
''In these circumstances, and in
view of this necessary effect of the
operation of our plan for raising rev.
enue, the absolute duty of limiting the
rate OF tariff charges to the neces-
sites of frugal and economical adj
ministratiOn of the government seems
to be perfectly plain. The con-
tinuance upon a preteXt of meet
ing public expenditures of such a scale
Of tariff taxation as draws from the sub
stance of the people a sum largely in
excess of public needs Is surely some
thing which, under q government based
upon justice and which finds its
strength and usefulness in the faith
and trust of the people, ought not to be
''While the heaviest burdens Incl
dent to the necessities of the govern
ment are uncomplainingly borne, light
burdens become grievous and intolera-
bic when not justified by such necessi-
ties. Unnecessary taxation is unjust
taxation. And yet this is our condi-
ton. We are annually collecting at
our custom houses and by
means of our internal revenue taxation
many millions in excess of all legiti-
mate public needs. AS consequence
there now remains in the national
treasury a surplus of more than one
hundred and thirty millions of dollars
No better evidence could be furnished
that the people are exorbitantly taxed.
The extent of the superfiuous burden
indicated by this surplus will be better
appreciated when it is suggested that
such surplus alone represents taxation
ag2regating more than one hundred
aud thirty millions dollars in a country
containing so, 600 inhabitants.
Taxation has always been the feat
ure OF organized government, the hard
est to reconcile with the peoples ideas
of freedom and happiness. When pre-
sented IN direct form nothing
will arouse popular discontent more
quickly and profoundly than unjust
and unnecessary taxation. Our farm
ers, mechanics, laborers and all our
citizens closely scan the slightest in
crease in the taxes assessed upon their
lands and other property and demand
good reasons for such increase. And
yet they seem to be expected in
some quarters to regard the unnec-
essary volume of insidious aud indirect
taxation visited upon them by our
present rate of duties with indifference
IL not with favor. The surplus reve-
nue. now remaining in the treasury not
only furnishes conclusive proof of un-
just taxation, but its existence cOnsti-
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 chan
nels of trade and business.
1T is a great mistake to suppose that
the consequences which follow the con-
tinual withdrawal and boarding by the
government of the currency of the peo-
pie are not of immediate importance to
the mass of our citizens, and only con-
Germs those engaged in large financial
transactions. In the restless enterprise
and activity which free and ready
money among the people produces is
found that opportunity for labor and
employment and that impetus to bust
ness and production which bring in
| their train prosperity to our citizens in
| every station and vocation. New ven
lures, new investments in business and
manufacture, the construction of new
and important works and the enlarge
ment of enterprises already established
depend largely upon obtaining money
upon easy terms with fair security land
all these things are stimulated by an
abundant volume of circulating medi-
um. Even the harvested grain of the
farmer remains without market un-
less money is forthcoming for its move
| ment and transportation to the sea-
board. The first results of a scarcity
of money among the people is the exac-
ton of severe terms for its use. In
creasing distrust and timidity is follow
ed by a refusal to loan or advance on
any terms. Investors refuse all risks
and decline all securities, and in a gen
| eral fright the money still in the hands
of the people is persistently boarded.
1T is quite apparent that when this
perfectly natural If not inevitable stage
is reached depression in all business
and enterprise will, as necessary con-
sequence, lessen the opportunity for
| work and employment, and reduce sal
aries and wages of labor. Instead,
then, of being exempt from the influ-
uence and affection of the immense sur
plus lying idle in the national treasury
our wage earners and others who rely
on their labor for support, are, most Of
ali, directly concerned in the situation.
Others seeing the approach of danger
may provide against it, but it Will find
those depending on their daily toll for
bread unprepared, helpless and defens-
less. Such state of affairs does not
present q case of idleneSS resulting
from disputes between the laboring
man and his employer, but it produces
an absolute and forced Stoppage of
employment and wages.
I'm reviewing the bad effecIs of this
accumulated surplus and the scale of
tariff rates by which it Is produced we
must not overlook the tendency toward
gross and Scandal0lIs public extrava-
gance which cOngested treasury i'll
duceS in time of profound peace sub
Stantially the rate of tariff duties i'm
posed in time of war when the necessi-
ties of the government justified the i'm
position of the weightiest burdens up
on the people.
divers plans have been suggested
for the return of this accumulated sur
plus to the people and the channels of
hCauo. some OF THESE OoVlC6S are at
variance with all rules of good finance:
some are delusive, some are absurd,
and some betray by their reckless ex-
traVagance the demoralizing influence
of q great surplus of public money up
on the judgments of individuals.
While such efforts should be made as
are consistent with public duty ard
sanctioned by sound judgment to avoid
danger by the useful disposition of che
surplus now remaining in the treasury
it is evident that il its distribution
were accomplished another accumu,a-
tiOn would soon take place if the con-
slant fiow of redundant income was
not checked at its source by a reform
in our present tariff laws.
I'VE do not propose to deal with
those conditions by merely attempting
to satisfy the people of the truth of
abstract theories nor by alone urging
their assent to political doctrines. we
present 10 them the propositions that
they are unjustly treated in the extent
of present federal taxation, that as a