, 1888-09-11

the statement CQal every mllllOn VI uOudIo
collected at our custom houses tor 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 productions, re-
| sulting from our tariff laws. In these
circumstances, and in view of this neces-
sary 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 adj
ministration OF the government seems to
be perfectly plain. The continuance upon
the pretext of
MEETING PUBLIC EXPENDITURES
of such scale of tariff taxation as draws
from the substance of the people a sum
largely in excess of the public needs is
surely something which under a govern
ment 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 burden in
cident to the necessities of the govern
ment are uncomplainingly borne the light
burdens become grievIous and intolerable
when not justified by such necessities.
Unnecessary taxation is unjust taxation,
and yet this is our condition. We are
annually collecting at our custom houses
and by means of our internal revenue tax
alton many millions In excess of all leglti-
mate public needs. As a consequence
there now remains in the national treas
ury a surplus of more than one hundred
and thirty million of dollars. No better
evidence could be furnished hat the peo-
pie are
EXoRBITANTLY TAXED.
The extent of the superauous burden indi-
Gated by this surplus will be better APP
preciated when 1t is suggested that such
surplus alone represents taxation aggre-
eating more than sos, 900 in a county
containing $4,000 inhabitants. Taxation
has always been a feature of organized
government, the hardest to reconcile with
the peoples ideas of freedom and happi-
ness. When presented in a direct form
nothing will arouse popular discomfort
more quickly and profoundly than unjust
and unnecessary taxation. Our farmers,
mechanics, laborers and all our citizens
closely scan the slightest increase in taxes
assessed upon their lands and other prop
erty and demand good reasons Tor such
increase and yet they seem to be expected
in some quarters, to regard the unneces-
sary volume of insidious and indirect tax
alton visited upon them by our present
RATE OF TARIFF DUTIES
with Indifference if not with favor. The
surplus revenue now remaining in the
treasury not only furnishes conclusive
proof of the unjust taxation, but its exis-
tence constitutes a separate and indepen-
dent menace to the prosperity of the peo-
pie. This vast accumulation of idle funds
represents that much money 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 that the consequences which fol-
low the continual withdrawal and hoard
ing by the government OF the currency
of the people are not of immediate i'm
portance to the mass of our citizens, and
only concerns those engaged in large finan-
cial transactions. In restless enterprises
and the activity which free and ready
money among the people produce is found
that opportunity for
LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT
and that impetus to business and produc-
ton which bring in their train prosperity
to our citizens in every station and voca-
1lOu' IGW NCuGuIGS, uCN luNCoLhlCulo III
business and manufacture, the construc-
ton of new and important works and the
enlargement of enterprises already estab.
lished, depend largely upon obtaining
money upon easy terms with fair security;
and all these things are stimulated by an
abundant volume of circulating medium.
Even the harvested grain of the farmer
remains without a market unless money is
forthcoming for movement and transpor
tation 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 timidjty is followed
by the refusal to loan or advance on any
terms. Investors refuse all risks and de-
cline all securities, and in the general
fright money still in the hands of the
people
is P-ERSISTENTLY HoARDED.
1t is quite apparent that when this per,
fectly natural, If not inevitable, stage is
reached depression in all business and en-
terprise will, as a necessary c~onsequenc
lessen the opportunity for work and en-
ployment, and reduce salaries and the
wages of labor. Instead then of being
exempt from the influence and effect of
the immense surplus lying idle in the ma
tional treasury, our wage earnes and
others who RELY upon their labor for sup
port. are mostly of all directly concerned
in the situation. Others seeing the APP
proach of danger may provide against it,
but it will find those depending upon
their daily toll for bread u%nprepared,
helpless and defenceless. Such a state Of
affairs does not prevent the case of idle
ness resulting from disputes between the
laboring men and his employer, but it
produces an absolute aud enforced stop
page of employment and wages. In re,
viewing the bad effects OF
THIS ACCUMULATED SURPLUS,
and the scale of tariff rates by which it is
produced, we must not overlook the ten
dency towards gross and scandalous
public extravaganza which a congested
treasury induces, nor the fact that we are