The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-03-31
MILLS STRONG PLEA.
Why THE REVENUES SHOULD BE
REDUCED.
The Report Of the Democratic Majority
of the Ways and Means Committee
on the Tariff Bill--Facts for the Peo-
pie.


the following is furnished the Associated |
Press:
The report OF the Democratic majority Of |
the ways and means committee which will |
accompany the tariff bill to the House |
cites that the surplus for the last fiscal year |
was $50, 800 900 and for the current is esti-
mated at s6l 900, 900, and says
With receipts growing larger and expen-
ditures growing smaller, we must soon
gather into the treasury the larger part of
the circulation OF the country to the great
injury Of its business and the bankruptcy
of many OF its people. Some method must
be adopted by Congress to prevent the con-
gestion which must occur under existing
laws. There are two ways which this ex-
cessiye accumulation may be prevented.
We reduce taxation 10 the level Of expen-
ditures and leave in the pockets OF the peo-
pie all moneys not needed for public pur-
poses, or we may raise expenditures to the
hight OF taxation, seeking out new and
useless objects of appropriation on which
TO lavish the great and growing revenues
not needed for any legitimate wants OF the
public service.
II we adopt the latter course these very
objects oil useless expenditures will gather
upon Congress in such increasi ny numbers
and with such growing demands as TO
fasten upon the government permanent
and Interchangeable policy OF extravagant
and reckless appropriations. This policy
once adopted will not only breed corrup-
ton in public life and decentralization in
private life, but will compel, in periods of
depression, an increased rate OF taxation
for the people or an increase OF bonded
debt for the government.
Then stating that there is but one safe
course, viz: reduction OF taxation, 10 be
necessary for the requirements Of an hon
est, efficient administration Of government,
the report discusses the question. Upon
what articles shall the reduction be nader"
and proceeds The committee have de-
termined TO recommend reduction OF the
revenues from both customs and internal
taxes. They have carefully kept in view
Mt all times the interest Of the manufac-
turcr, the laborer, the producer and the
consumer.
The bill herewith reported TO the House
is not offered rs u perfect bill. Many ar
ticlcs are left subject 10 duty which might
well be transferred 10 the free list Many
articles are left subject TO rates OF duty
which might all he lcssened.
In the progressive growth OF our man
uiacture we have reached the point where
our capacity 10 produce IL far in excess OF
our home consumption. As a consequence
many OF our mills are closed, and many OF
those still IN operation are running on
short time. This condition is hurtlul 10
the manufactures, 10 the laborer and pro-
dueer OF the materials consumed in manu-
facturc. The manufacturer loses the profit
ON his capital, the laborer loses his wages,
and the producer Of the materials con-
sumcd IN manufacture loses the market for
Il his products Manufacturer, in many
instances, 10 guard against losses by low
prices caused by an over supply in the
home market, are organizing trusts. com.
binations and pools 20 limit production
and keep MP prices. This vicious condi-
ton Of business could not exist with low
duties on imports. Prohibitory tariffs sur
round tile country with lines Of invest
fent and prevent III relief from without,
lille trusts, combinations and pools plum
der the people within.
In country like ours, prolific In It's re-
sources where the rewards Of labor are
large the capitalist may by such methods
keep his investments secure and still make
DlOulNs Uul NUtA Nif W nffOult " hft lN-
boren who are thrown out OF employment
by stopping the wheels Of machinery and
limiting the amount Of product? and what
IL to,bccome Of the producer Of the mate
rails 20 be consumed by the manufacturer?
When the fires are shut of the laborer and
the materials are shut OF ut the same time
and the market for both Is gone; whether
they labor In the factory or the field;
whether they produce cotton, wool, hemp,
flax, coal or ore; whether the product Of
their daily labor II cloth, iron, steel, boots
or shoes, they must have constant en-
ploymcnt TO obtain for themselves and
families the ncceSaries and comforts Of
life.
When out Of employment with earnings
cut short, with low prices for their prod
ucts, caused by the closing OF the market,
they still must pay for whatever their
daily wants require the prices which the
trusts have fixed. What Is the remedy
for this wrong7 II u more extended mar
keis for the sale Of our products, and a
constant and active competition In bust
ness. With active competition, combina-
tons aud pools are impossible. With the
markets OF the world open TO us our man.
uiacturcn may run their mills on full
time, and give constant employment 10
lfitlI lhVNftIh WIN ttdhllN lhiFftEluf
rate OF wages With the markets Of the
world open 10 the sale Of their products,
they will create an active and constant de.
mand for all the raw materials required
IN manufactures, which will stimulate,
promote and reward the wool grow.
or and the producer Of cotton,
hemp, flax, hides, ORES and other
materials Of manufacture.
The annual product Of our manufactures
Il now estimated nj 5000, 900, 900, Of
which amount we export only about $780,
100000, or LEES than per cent II We
could obtain free Of duty such raw ma
torias M we DO not produce and can ~
only produced In foreign countries, mis-
with our home product In the various
branches Of manufacture, we could soor
increase our exports several hundred mill
Ions. With untaxcd raw materials VI
could keep our mills running on full time
our operators In constant employment
and have an active demand for our raw
materials In our own factories. II Their
should be no duty on any materials enter
Ing into manufactures, many articles nov
made abroad would be made at home
which, while II would give more employ
mcnt 10 our own labor, would give a bet
ter market 10 many articles which VI
produce and which enter into manuiact
urcs, such as cotton, wool, hemp, fax an'
others.
In starting on this policy we hav
transferred many articles from the dutl
L.. ia RI. .....u..a a. n.