The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-09-10

Waru OF MS toll and OF all his income, eX-
cept what may be his fair contribution to
necessary public expense. Therefore, it is
not only the right, but the duty, of a free
people, in the enforcement of this guaran-
ty, TO insist that such expense should be
strictly limited to the actual public needs
1t seems perfectly clear that when the gov
eminent, this fundamentally created and
maintained by the people to do their bid
ding, turns upon them and through an Mt
ter peryenion Of its powers EFFORTS from
their labor and capital tribute largely in
excess OF pulic necessities. the creature
has rebelled against the creator and the
masters are robbed by their servants. The
cost OF the government must continue to
be met by tariff duties collected at our Gus
tom houses upon imported goods and by
internal revenue taxes assessed upon spir-
ltuous and malt liquors, tobacco and oleo-
margarine. | suppose il is needless TO
explain that all these duties and
assessments are added to the price of the
articles upon which they are levied, and
thus become q tax upon all those who buy
these articles Tor use and consumption,
suppose, too, il is well understood that
the effect OF this tariff taxation is not linn
tied 10 the consumers of imported articles,
but that the duties imposed upon such ar
ticles permit q corresponding increase in
price TO be laid upon domestic productions
OF the same kind, which increase, paid by
all our people, rs consumers OF home pro-
auctions, and entering every American
home, constitutes form OF taxation us
certain and rs inevitable as though the
amount WIS annually paid into the hand
nf tho taN uyntharar These rng,,lto ana IN
scparable from the plan we have adopted
for the collection OF our revenue by tariff
duties. They are not mentioned to dis
credit the system, but by way OF preface
TO the statement that every $1,000 900
collected at our custom-houses for
duties upon imported articles and paid
into the public treasury, represent many
millions more which, though never reach
ing the national treasury, are paid by our
citizens rs 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 revenue, the absolute
duty OF limiting the rate OF tariff charges
to the necessities Of a frugal and economi.
cal administration of the government
seems 10 he perfectly plain. The continu.
ancc, upon pretext OF meeting public ex-
penditures on such n scale Of tariff taxa
ton as draws from the substance Of the
people a sum largely in excess OF public
needs, is surely something which under a
government based upon Justice, and
which finds its strength and use.
FITNESS in the faith and trust OF
the people, ought not to be toll
Grated. While the heaviest burdens
incident TO the necessities OF the
government are uncomplainingly borne,
light burdens become greivous and intol-
cradle when not justified 10y such neccssi-
ties. Unnecessary taxation Is unjust tax
alton. Aud yet thisis our condition. We
are annually collecting at our custom
houses and by means OF our internal rev.
enue taxation, many millions In excess Of
all legitimate public needs. As conse-
qucnce, there now remains in the national
treasury a surplus OF more than SljO,OOO,-
600. No better evidence could be furnished
than the people are cXorbitantly taxed. The
extent Of the supcfiluOus burden indicated
10y this surplus will DC better appreciated
when Il Is suggested that such surplus
alone represents taxation aggrcgating more
than SlOS UJJin a county containing $1,000
inhabitants. Taxation has always been
the feature Of organized government; the
hardest 90 reconcile with the peoples ideas
~ freedom and happiness When pre-.
scented in direct form nothing will arouse
popular discomfort moro quickly aud pro-
ioundly than unjust and unnecessary
taxation. our farmers, mechanics, labor
crs aud all our citizens closely scan the
slightest increase IN taxes assessed upon
their lands aud other property, aud de-
mnnd good reasons for such increase. And
vet they seem 10 bc expected, In some
quarters, 90 regard the unnecessary volume
Of insidous and indirect taxation upon
them by our present rate Of tariff duties
with indifference II not with favor.
The surplus revenue now remaining In
the treasury not only furnishes conclusive
proof Of unjust taxation but H. existence
constitutes a. separate and independent
menace 10 the prosperity Of the people.
This vast accumulation Of idle funds rep
rcscnis that much money drawn from the
circulating medium Of the country which
Is needed In the channels OF trade Ind
business. 10 Is a great mistake
To suppose that the consequences
which follow the continual withdrawal
aud boarding by tho government Of
the currency u the people are not Of im-
mediate importance 81 the mass Oi our
citizens. aud only concerns those engaged
In large financial transactions In the
restless enterprise and activity, which
free and ready money among the people
produces, isiound that opportunity Tor Ia
Dor and employment and that impetus 90
business aud production, which bring IN
their train prosperity 20 our citizens In
every station and vocation. New ventures
now Investments In business and manu-.
incturc, the construction Of new aud inn
poriant works. and the cnlargcmcnt'oi en-
tcrpfiscs already established depend large.
~ upon obtaining money upon easy terms
with fair security. aud nll these things arc
stimulated by an abundant volume Of cir
culating medium. Even tho harvested
grain Of the farmer remains without q
market, unless money Is forthcoming
Tor IL movement aud transportation
10 the scaboarl. The first results Of
a scarcity Of money among the people IS
the cXaction OF severe terms for its use
Increasing disirusi and timidityis followed
by q refusal 10 loan or advance on any
terms Investors refuse all risks and de
cline all securities, aud In a general fright
the money still In the hands Of the people
Is peuislenlly boarded. II II quite appar.
cnt that when this perfectly natural II not
inevitable, stage Is reached, depression In
all business and enterprise will, a. ncccs.
slfy consequence, lessen the opportunity
for work and employment and reduce
salaries aud the wages Of labor. Instead,
then, Of being exempt from tho influence
aud effect Of ma immense surplus lying idle
IA the national treasury, our aagc.earncn
and olhcn who rely upon their labor ior