Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-09-21

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form Of taxation as certain and as inevitable
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 house for
duties upon imported articles and paid into
the public treasury represent many millions
more which, though never reaching the ma
tional treasury, are paid by our citizens as
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 bright and economical
administration Of the government seems to
be perfectly plain. The continuance, upon a
pretext of meeting public expenditures, Of
such a scale of tariff taxation 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 JUS
tice, and which finds its strength and useful
ness in the faith and the trust of the people,
ought not to be tolerated While the heaviest
burdens incident to the necessities of the gov
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burdens become grievous and intolerable
when not justified by such necessities.
Unnecessary taxation 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 pub
lie needs. AS a consequence there now re-
mains in the national treasury a surplus of
more than $3.50, 600, 900. No better evidence
could be furnished that the people are exor-
bitantly taxed. The extent of the superflU-
Gus burden indicated ON this surplus will be
better appreciated when it is suggested that
such surplus alone represents taxation aggre-
eating more than slOs,OOO in a country con-
tanning $4,000 inhabitants. Taxation
has always been the feature of Or
gained government; the hardest to
reconcile with the people idea of freedom
and happiness. 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 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 regard the unnecessary
volume of insidious and indirect taxation
iSiuc UPON ny Jul pTtSouU Idut VI 6Ilh
duties with Indifference, if not with favor.
Surplus Revenue.
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 to
the prosperity of the people. This vast ac-
emulation of idle funds represents that
much money is drawn from the circulating
medium of the country which is needed in
channels of trade and business 1t is a great
mistake to suppose that the consequences
which follow the continued withdrawal and
boarding by the government of the currency
of the people are not of immediate Importance
to the mass of our citizens, and only concerns
those engaged in large 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 train
prosperity to our citizens in every station and
vocation. New ventures, new investments
in business and manufacture, the construc-
ton of new and important works, and the
enlargement of enterprises already estab-
hshed, 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 with
out a market unless money is forthcoming for
its movement and transportation to the sea-
board.
The first results of a scarcity of money
among the people is the exaction of severe
terms for its use. Increasing distrust and
timidity is followed by a refusal to loan OF
advance on any terms. Investors refuse all
risks and decline all securities and in a gen.
eral light the money still in the hands of the
people Is practically boarded. 1t is quite ap-
parent that when this perfectly natural, II
not inevitable, stage Is reached, depression in
business and enterprises will, as a necessary
consequence, lessen the opportunity for
work and employment and reduces salaries and
wages of labor. Instead, then, of being exempt
from the influence and effect of an immense
surplus lying idle in the national treasury our
wage earners and others who rely upon their
labor tor support, are most of all directly
concerned in the situation. Others seeing the
approach of danger, may provide against it,
but it will find those depending upon their
daily toll for bread unprepared, helpless
and defenseless. Such a state of affairs does
not prevent Ia case Of idleness resulting from
disputes between the laboring man and his
employer but it produces an absolute and ell
forced stoppage of employment and wages.
In reviewing the bad effects of the accu-
mulated surplus and the scale of tariff rates
by which it is produced, we must not over
look the tendency toward gross and scandal
Gus public extravaganza which a congested
treasury induces, nor the fact that We are
maintaining, without excuse, In a time of
profound peace, substantially the rate Of
tariff duties imposed III time of war, when
the necessities OF the government justified the
imposition of the weightiest burdens upon the
people. Divers plans have been suggested
for the return of this accumulated surplus to
the people and the channels of trade. Some
of these devices are at variance with all rules
of good finance; some are delusive, some are
absurd, and some betray by their reckless ex-
travagance the demoralizing influence of a
great surplus of public money upon the judg-
ments of individuals. While such efforts
should be made as are consistent with public
duty and sanctioned by sound Judgment to
avoid danger by the useful disposition of the
surplus now remaining in the treasury, it is
evident that if its distribution Were accom-