Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-09-14

| able when not justified by such Necessities
| Unnecessary taxation IL unjust taxation
| And yet this N our condition. We are an
nually collecting at our custom houses and
| by means OF our internal revenue taxation
many millions In excess OF all Legitimate
public needs. A consequence there now
| remains in the national treasury q surplus
| OF more than one hundred and thirty mil
lions OF dollars
No better evidence could be furnished
| that the people are extortionate!y taxed
| The extent OF the supertuous burden indi-
| Gated by this surplus will be better appre-
| ciated when IL is suggested that such sur
plus alone represents taxation aggregaung
more than one hundred and eight thousand
dollars in a county containing 5O,OoOinha
tapts
Taxation has always been the feature Of
organized government; the hardest u rec
opcne with the peoples ideas OF freedom
and happiness When presented in direct
form nothing will arouse popular discomfort
more quickly aud profoundly than unjust
| and unnecessary taxation. Our farmers,
mechanics, laborers and all our citizens
closely scan the slightest increase in the
taxes assessed upon their lands and other
| property, and demand good reason for such
Increase. And yet they seem 10 be expect
| ed in some quarters ~ regard the unneces-
| sary volume of inslduOus aud in lirect tax
alton visited upon them by our present rate
OF tariff duties with Indifference If not with
| favor. The surplus revenue now remain
| ing III the treasury not only furnis hes con-
| elusive proof OF unjust taxation, but its eX-
istence constitutes a separate and indepen-
| dent menace 10 the prosperity of the people.
| This vast accumulation OF idle funds repre-
sents that much money drawn from the
| circulating medium of the country which is
| needed in the channels Of trade and bust
ness.
1t is great mistake to suppose that the
| ap ,tbfab ha al
withdrawal and boarding by the govern
| nent OF the currency Of the people are not
| OF immediate Importance 10 the mass Of our
citizens, and only concerns those engaged
in large financial transactions In the rest
less enterprise and activity which free and
ready money among the people produces is
found that opportunity for labor and EN-
| ployment and that impetus 10 business and
! production which bring in their trnin pros
perity 10 our citizens in every station and
vocation. New ventures, new investments
in business and manufacture, the cOnstruc-
tion OF new and important works, and the
enlargement of enterprises already estab-
| lished. depend largely upon obtaining mon
| ey upon easy terms with fair security and
| all these things are stimulated by an abun-
| dant volume OF circulating medium. Even
the harvested grain of the farmer remains
without "A market unless money is forth
coming for its movement and transporta-
ton TO the seabOard. The first results OF
a scarcity OF money among the people is the
eXactlon OF severe terms for its use. In
creasing distrust and timidity is followed
by refusal TO loan or advance on any terms
Investors refuse all risks and decline all
securities and in a general fright the money
still in the hands OF the people is persist
emily boarded.
1t is quite apparent that when this per
fectly natural, if not inevitable, stage is
reached, depression in all business and en-
fFV pf1 HltsNF
lessen the opportunity for work and
employment and reduce salaries and the
wages of labor.
Instead. then. of beingcxcmpt fromthe in
tiuence and effect Of an immense surplus ~
ing idle in the national treasury our wage
earners and others who RELY upon their la
Dor for support are most OF all directly con
cerned in the situation. Others seeing the
approach of danger may provide against II,
but il will find those depending upon their
daily toll for bread unprepared. helpless
and defenceless. Such a state of affairs
does not present ease of idleness resulting
from disputes between the laboring man
and his employer, but il produces an absO-
lutte and enforced stOppage Of employment
and wages.
In reviewing the bad effects of this accu-
INFLATED surplus and scale OF tariff rates
10y which il Is produced, we must not over
look the tendency toward gross and scanda-
lOus public extravaganza which "a cOngested
treasury induces. nor the fact that we are
maintaining, without excuse. in "a time of
profound peace. substantially the rate OF
tariff duties imposed in time Of war, when
the necessities OF the government justified
the imposition of the weightiest burdens
upon the people.
Divers plans have been suggested for the
return OF this accumulated surplus 10 the
people and the channels Of trade Some of
these devices are AT variance with all rules
dol
are absurd and some betray by Their reck-
less extravaganza the demoralzing iniiu
ence Of a great surplus OF public money
upon the judgment of individuals.
While such efforts should be made az are
consistent with public duty and sanctioned
by severe Judgment 10 avoid danger by the
useful disposition Of the surplus now remain
ing in the treasury, il is evident that II its
distribution were accOr plished another ac-
cumulatiou would soon take its place II the
constant flow of redundant income was not
checked at it source by reform in our pres
ent tariff laws.
We do not propose 10 deal with these con
ditions by merely attempting 10 satisfy the
people OF the truth Of abstract theories nor
by alone urging their assent 10 political
doctrine. We present 20 them the propos-
itiOns that they are unlustly treated in the
extent Of present federal taxation, that as
result a condition of extreme danger ex-
lists and that II is for them 10 demand a
remedy and that defense and safety prom
ised in the guarantees Of their free govern
ment.
We believe that the same means which
are adopted 10 relieve the treasury Of its
present surplus and prevent its recurrence
should cheaper 10 our people the cost OF
| supplying their daily wants. Both Of these
objects we seek in part 10 gain by reducing
the present tariff rates upon the neces-
| saries Of life.
We fully appreciate the Importance TO
| the country of sur domestic industrial en-
terprises, In the rectihcatiou OF wrongs
their maintenance and prosperity should be
carefully mad in a friendly spirit consider
ed Even such reliance upon present
revenue arrangements AS have been invit-
ed or encouraged should be fairly and just
| ly regarded. Abrupt aud radical changes
| which might eudanger such enterprises
and injuriously affect the interest Of labor
| dependent upon their success and contin-
uance are not contemplated or intended.
But we know the cost Of our domestic
manufactured products is increased and
| their price TO the consumer enhanced BY
the duty imposed upon the raw material
used In their manufacture. We know
| that this increased cost prevents the sale
OF our productions at foreign markets in