Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-09-10
IContinued from LIST page.

,essities Of bright and economical admins
ration of government. sums to be perfectly
plain. The continuance upon a pretext of
meeting the pubic expenditures of such
scale of tariff taxation as draws from the sub
stances of the people, seem largely in excess
If public needs, is surely something which,
under government passed 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 incident
to the necessities of the government are I'M
borne, light burdens become
grievous and intolerable when not justified
by such Necessities. Unnecessary taxation
is unjust taxation, and yet this Is our condi-
ton. We are annually collecting at the Gus
tom houses and by means of our internal
revenue taxation, many millions in excess OF
all legitimate puolic needs, as consequence
there row remains in the national treasury
surplus of more than Sl30, 000, 900. No bee
ter evidence could be furnished that the peo-
pie are extraordinarily taxed. The extent OF
the superfuous burden indicated BY this sur
plus will be better appreciated when 1t Is
suggested that this surplus alone represents
a taxation sggregating more than Sl0o,O0O,
in country containing 10000 inhabi-
tants Taxation has always been a
feature Of organized government, the hardest
10 reconcile with peoples idea of freedom
and happiness, when presented in direct
form. Nothing will arouse popular discou-
tent more quickly and profoundly than un-
Just and unnecessary taxation. Our farm
ers, mechanics, labOrers and all our citizens
closely scan the slightest increase in 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 unnecessary volume
Of insiduOus and indirect taxation visited up
on them by our present rate of tariff duties,
with an Indifference if not with favor. The
surplus revenue now remaining in the treas
try not only furnishes conclusive proof OF
unjust taxation, but its existence constitutes
a separate and independent menace to the
prosperity Of the people. This vast accumu-
laton of idle funds represents that much
money has been drawn from the circulating
medium of the country which is needed in
the channels of trade and business. 1t is a
great mistake to suppose the consequences
hich follow the continual withdrawal and
boarding by the government of the currency
OF the people, are not of immediate import
auce to the mass of our citizens and only
concerns those engaged in large financial
NAf'N
activity which free and ready money among
people produces, is found that opportunity
for labor and employment, and that
| impetus to business and production
which bring in their train prosperity IL
| our citizens in every station and vocation,
| new ventures, new investments in business
| AMI manufacture. The construction of ne v
and important work and the enlargement OF
G Establishments already established depend
largely upon obtaining money upon cas-,
| terms with fair security and all these thing
are stimulated by an abundant volume o.
circulating medium. Even harvested grail
Of the farmer remains without marke
unless money is forthcoming for its move
ment and transportation to the seaboard
| The first results of a scarcity of money
among the people is the exaction of severe
terms for its use. Increasing distrust and
timidity is followed by refusal to loar
or advance on any terms, investors re
fuse all risks and decline all securities, and
| in the general fright money still in the hands
of the people is persistently boarded. 1t i,
quite apparent that when this perfectly nat
ura if not inevitable stage is reached, de
preston in all business and enterprise will a,
a niece ssary consequence lessen the oppor
tunty for work and employment and reduce
the salaries of wages and labor. InsteaC
then of offering to exempt from inhuenc,
and fleet of the immense surplus lying idl,
in the national treasury, our wage earner
and others who rely upon their labor TO
support are most of all directly concerned il
the situation Others seeing the approach
of danger may provide against it, but it viii
find those dependent upon daily toll 70
bread unprepared, helpless and defenseless
| Such state of affairs doe
not present of idleness
| resulting from disputes between the labor
| ing man and his employer, but it produce
absolute and en- forced stoppage of employ
mcnt and wages, in reviewing TIN
bad effects of this accumulate,
surplus aud scale of tariff rates which it thu
produced, we must not overlook the tendenc,
towards gross and scandaous public ex
travagance which the congested treas
ury induces, nor the fact that ",
are maintaining without excuse in tim,
of profound peace substantially to rate tariff
du,ies imposed in time of war wher
the necessares of the government
justified imposition of weight burdens upor
the people,. Divers plans have been sug-
gested for a return of this accumulated sur
| plus to the people and the channels of trade
Some of these devices are at variance with
All rules OF goou hn'hoe' SUM are uelusi'e'
so"le are aosuru anu So'iie pv'fay ny .heir
reckless eHta'agahce oeinorai'A'lg 'niluehce
OF great surplus Oh pupl'c money upon the
judgements OF nun 'duaiS' me such
ehor's Shouid DE 'naue as consistent win pup
nc GUY anu t''o'e" "S eou,u Juueenhel,
to avoid danger by useful disposition of
surplus no" remaining III the treasury II Is
'I'ueh' ,ha' us u's'Iioulon were accomplish
eu' ""o'ner accumulation "ouio soon take It's
P'aee II 'he constant no" Oh REDUNDANT IN
t"nie ""S "o' '"'cheu az 'ne source oy re-
iur"' !" lue present tariIi ""s' we uoh
pr pose 10 ueal WIN tnese CONDITIONS ny
mercy attempting 10 sausly people OF the
Uu." oi aos'Iac' theofies OF ny alo re urging
'helt assent 10 poitcai doctrine We
present TO them proposition that they are