The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1888-09-20

price of the articles upon which they are
levied and thus become tax upon all tho3e
who buy these articles for use and consump-
ton. l 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 al'ti-
cles permit corresponding increase in price
to be- laid upon domestic productions of tha
sanaa kind, which increaye, paid by all our
people and consumers of homo productions
and entering every American home, cOlLsti-
tutes form of taxation certain and as in
evitable as though the amount was annually
paid into the hand of the tax gatherer.
These results are inseparable from the plan
we have adopted for the collection of our
revenue by tariff duties They are not men
toned to discredit the system, but by way of
preface to the statement that every million of
dollars collected at our custom houses for
duties upon imported articles and paid into
the public treasury represent many millions
more which, though never reaching the
national treasury, are paid by our citizens as
the increased cost of domestic productions re-
sulting from our tariff laws. In these cir
cumstanceS, 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 to the necessities of a frugal
and economical administration Of the gov
ernment seems to be perfectly plain. The
continuance, upon a prcteXt OF meeting pubhc
expenditures, of such a scale of tariff taxation
as draws from the substance of the people
sum largely in excess of public needs is surely
something which under a government based
upon justice, and which finds its strength and
usefulness in the faith and trust of the people,
ought not to be tolerated
While the heaviest burdens incident to the
necessities Of the government are uncomplain-
ingly borne, light burdens become grievous
and intolerable when not justified by such
necessities. Unnecessary taxation is unjust
taxation And yet this is cur condition. We
are annually collecting at our custom houses
and by means Of our internal revenue taxa
tion many millions in excess Of all legitimate
public needs. As a consequence there now
remains III the national treasury a surplus Of
more than $3.50, 900 600.
No better evidence could be furnished that
the people are exorbitantly taxed. The ex-
tent Of the superfluOus burden indicated by
this surplus will be better appreciated when
it is suggested that such surplus alone repre-
SentS taxation aggre-ating more than Sion
coo in a county containing 80, 900 inhabitants.
Taxation has always been the feature of
organized government the hardest to recon
cile with the peoples ideas of freedom and hap
pinesS. When presented in a direct form
nothing will arouse popular discomfort more
quickly and profoundly than unjust and un-
! necessary 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 reasons for such increase. And yet they
seem to be expected in some quarters to re-
gard the unnecessary volume of insidious
and indirect taxation visited upon them by
our present rate of tariff duties with indiffer-
ence if not with favor.
The surplus revenue now remaining in the
treasury not only furnishes conclusive proof
of unjust taxation, but its existence consti
tutes a separate and independent menace tc
the prosperity of the people. This vast accu
mutation 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 continual with
drawal and boarding by the government OF
the currency of the people are not Of lmme
diate Importance to the mass of our citizens
and only concerns those engaged in largt
financial transactions.
In the restless enterprise and activity which
free and ready money among the people pro
duces, is found that opportunity for labor
and employment and that impetus to business
and production which bring in their trair
prosperity to our citizens in every station ane
vocation. New ventures, new investments il
business and manufacture, the construction
of new and important works and the enlarge
ment Of enterprises already established, de
pend largely upon obtaining money upon
easy terms with fair security; and all thest
things are stimulated by an abundant volume
of circulating medium. Even the harvested
grain of the farmer remains without marke
unless money is forthcoming for its move
ment and transportation to the seabOard.
The first result of a scarcity of money
among the people is the exaction of sever
terms for its use. Increasing distrr st ant
timidity is followed by refusal to loan O
advance on any terms. Investors refuse al
risks and decline all securities, and in gen
eral fright the money still in the hands O
the people is persistently boarded. 1t is quit
apparent that when this perfectly natural, i
not inevitable stage is reached, depression il
all business and enterprise will, as a necessar,
consequence, lessen the opportunity for wori
and emnlOyment and reduce salaries and tn
wages of labor.
Instead, then, of being exempt from the III
fluence and effect of an immense surplus lying
idle in the national treasury, our wage Garner
and others who re y upon their labor for sup
port are most of all directly concerned in tb
situation. Others seeing the approach of dan
ger may provide against it, but it will fin
those depending upon their daily toll 70
bread unprepared, helpless and defenseleS'
Such a state of affairs does not present a cas-
of idleness resulting from disputes betweel
the laboring man and his employer, but
produces an absolute and enforced stOppaS
of employment and wages.
In reviewing the bad effects Of this accuInu
lated surplus and the scale of tariff rates b.
which it is produced, we must not overloo
the tendency toward gross and scandalou
public extravaganza which congeSted treas
! ury induces, nor the fact that We are main
tanning. without excuse ii a time OF profoun
paaca substantially the rate of tariff dutle
imposed in time of war. when the necessitie
of the government justified the imposition G
the weightiest burdens upon the people.
Divers plans have been suggested for the II
turn of this accumulated surplus to the peopl
| and the channels of trade. Some of these de
vices are at variance with all rules of goo
finance. some are deIusive, are absurd
and some betray by their reckless extrava
gance the demo-GlizinS influence of a grea
surplus of public money upon The Judgment
of individuals
While such efforts should be made as ar
consistent with public duty and sanctioned b
| sound Judgment to avoid danger by the us
ful disposition Gf The surplus now relnaInin