The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1888-09-13

become grieyous and iniolerable when not Jus
tined by such necessities. Unnecessary taxa
tion IS unjust taxation.
And yet this Is our condition. We are annu.
ally collecting at our Custom-houses and by
means OF our internal revenue taxation, many
millions In excess OF all legitimate public
needs. As consequence there now remains in
the National Treasury n surplus OF more than
one hundred and thirty millions Of dollars.
No better evidence could be furnished that
the people are exorbltantly taxed. The extent
OF the supeFiiuous burden indicated by this sur
plus will be better appreciated when u is sug'
gested that such surplus alone represents taxa
tion hggregating more than one hundred and
eight thousand dollars in q country containing
nfty million inhabitants.
Taxation has always been the feature OF or
gnnized government the hardest TO reconcile
with the pc ope's ideas OF freedom and happi-
ness When presented In q direct form moth
Ing will arouse popular discomfort more quickly
and profoundly than unjust and unnecessary
taxation Our farmers, mechanics, laborers,
and oil 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 10 be ex-
pected, In some quarters, 70 regard tho unnec-
essary volume Of insidous and Indirect taxa
tion visited upon them by our present rate OF
tarin duties with Indifference II not with favor.
The surplus revenue now remaining in the
Treasury not only furnishes conclusive proof OF
unjust taxation, but its existence constitutes n
separate and independent menace TO the pros
perity OF the people.
This vast accumulation OF idle funds repre-
sents that much money drawn from the ctrcu-
lating medium OF the country which is needed
in the channels OF trade and business.
tits great mistake 10 suppose that the CON
sequences which follow the continual with
drawAl and boarding by the Government OF the
currency OF the people are not Of immediate
Importance 70 the mass OF our citizens, and only
concerns those engaged in large financial trans
actions. In the restless enterprise and activ'
ity which free and ready money among the peo.
| pie produces Is found that opportunity for la
| Dor and employment and that impetus TO bust.
ness and production which bring in their train
prosperity TO our citizens In every station and
| vocation. New ventures, new Investments in
business and manufacture, tho construction OF
| new and important works, md the enlargement
! Of enterprises already established depend
largely upon obtaining money upon
easy terms with fair security; and
ali these things arc stimulated by an
| abundant volume OF circulating medium. Even
| the harvested grain OF the farmer romans
| without market unless money is Forthcoming
| for its movement and transportation 70 the sea
board.
The Hrst results of a scarcity OF money among
\ the people is the exaction OF severe terms for
! its use Increasing dstrust and timidity Is
followed by a refusal 10 loan or advance on any
terms. Investors refuse all risks and decline
oil securities, and in a general fright the money
/ stu In the hands of tho people is persistently
| boarded.
| II is quite apparent that when this perfectly
natural II not Inevitable, stage is reached, de-
| preston in all business and enterprise Will, as
a necessary consequence lessen the oppor-
| tunlty for work and employment and reduce
salaries and the wages OF labor.
| Instead. then, OF being exempt from tho in
| fiueneo and eject of an immense surplus lying
| idle in the National Treasury, our wage-earn.
/ ors and others who rely upon their labor for
/ support, are most OF all directly concerned In
the situation. Others, seeing the approach OF
danger, may provide against II, but It will find
| those depending upon their daily toll for
bread, unprepared, helpless and defenseless.
| Such state OF affairs does not present case
of idleness resulting from disputes between
| the laboring man and his employer, but II pro
| duces an absolute and enforced stoppage OF
employment and wages.
| In revie wing the bad effects OF this accumu-
I, lated surplus, and the scale OF tarin rates by
! which IL is produced. we must not overlook the
tendency towards the gross and scandalous
public extravaganza which o congested treas
ury induces, nor the fact that we are mnintain
ing without excuse in q time OF profound
peace, substantially the rate OF tariff duties i'm
| posed In time Of war when the necessities oil
tho Government justified the imposition OF the
weighticst burdens upon tho people
Divers plans have been suggested for the re
turn OF this accumulated surplus 10 the people
and the channels Of trade. Some OF these de-
| vices arc at variance with all rules OF good
finance; some are delusive, and some beiray by
| their reckless extravaganza the demoralizinl
influence OF great surplus OF public money
upon the judgments OF individuals.
i While such Efforts should be made as are con
sistent with pnbhc duty, and sanctioned by
| sound Judgment to avoid danger by the usetu
| disposition OF the surplus now remaining in the
Treasury IL is evident that II It's distribution
were accomplished another accumulation woulc
soon take its place, II the constant flow OF ro
dundant income was not checked ut its source
by by q reform in our present tariff laws
We do not propose TO deal with these condi
tions by merely attempting To satisfy the people
OF the truth OF abstract theories, nor by aon'
urging their assent TO political doctrine W.
present 10 them the propositions that they art
unjustly treated in the extent OF present Fed
eral taxation; that as n result condition o
extreme danger exists, and that II is for themt
demand a remedy, and that defense and safet!
promised in the guarantees OF their free govern
mont.
We believe that the same means which ar
adapted to relieve tho Treasury OF its prcsen
surplus and prevent as recurrence should
eheapen TO our people the cost OF supplying
their daily wants. Both OF these objects w
seek In part to gain by reducing the presen
tarin rates upon the necessaries OF life.
We fully appreciate the Importance to tn
country OF our domestic industrial enterprise
In the rectincation OF existing wrongs thei
maintenance nnd prosperity should be CAREFUL
and in n friendly spirit considered. Even sue
reliance upon present revenue arrangements a
have been invited or encouraged should be fairl
and Justly regarded. Abrupt and radica
changes, which might endanger such enterprise
and iniuriously infect tho interests of labor dc
pendent upon their success and continuanct
: are not contemplated or intended.
But we know the cost OF our domestic mani
, factured products is increased, and their prc
TO tho consumer enhanced, by the duty impose
) upon the raw material used In their manufa'
ture We know that this increased cost pr,
) vents the sale OF our productions ut foreig
a markets In competition with those countrie
r which have tho advantage OF free raw materia
1 We know that confined 10 home market OF
i manufacturing operations are curtailed, the
: demand for labor irregular, and the rate
b wages paid uncertain.
0 We PROPOSE therefore, TO stimulate our d
q nestle Industrial enterprises by freeing froi
0 duty the imported raw materials which by III
e employment OF labor are used in our hon
n manufactures, tnus tAlcnuliR tuc ihurhuta ~
h their sale, and permitting IN increased nm
4 steady production with the allowance OF abun
ant profits
n True to the undertaking course OF the Dem
, craty party, we will not neglect the interests
l. labor and our workngmen. In oil Efforts
v remedy existing evils, we Will furnis
n no excuse for tho loss OF employment or the r.
If duction OF the wages OF honest toll. On I'll
o contrary we propose in any adjustment OF oil
o revenue laws 10 concede such encouragement
Il and advantage TO the employers OF domestic Il
l. Dor as will easily compensate for any dincront
q that may exist between the standard OF wage
which should be paid to our laboring men, an
Is the rate allowed in other countries, We pr
n pose, too by extending the markets for o,
n manufacturers TO promote the steady emplo
q ment OF labor, while, by choapenlpg the cost
Q the necessarics OF life, VIC increase the epurcha
d ing power OF tho worlsingman's wages and nd
10 TO the comforts OF his home.
n And before ra, slug from this phase OF "