The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1888-09-19

ton. We are annually collecting at
our custom houses and BY means OF
our internal revenue taxation many
millions in excess OF all legitimate
public needs. As a consequence there
now remains In the national Treasury
q surplus Of more than Sl30,000, 900
No better evidence could be furnished
that The people are exorbitantly taxed.
The extent ofthe superauous burdens
indicated by this surplus will be bet
ter appreciated when il is suggested
that such surplus alone represents a
taxation aggregating more than
sos, ,999 in q country containing 50,-
600 inhabitants.
Taxstioa has slways been the fea-
ture of an organized government; the
hardest 10 reconcile with the peoples
ideas Of freedom and happiness.
When presented in a direct form
nothing will arouse popular discon-
tent 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 reason for such
increase; and yet they seem 10 be ex-
pected in some quarters to regard as
unnecessary the volume Of insidious
and indirect taxation visited upon
them by our present rate Of tariff
duties with indifference, If not with
favor. The surplus revenue now re-
naming in the Treasury not only
furnishes conclusive proof Of unjust
taxation, bot its existence constitutes
Q separate and independent menace
TO the prosperity Of the people. This
vast accumulation Of idle funds repre-
sents that much money drawn from
the circulating medium Of the coun-
try which is needed in the CHANNELS
Of trade and business. 1t is o great
mistaEe 10 suppose that the conse-
quences " aich follow the continual
withdrawal and boarding by the gov
ernment of the currency of the peo
pie are not of immediate Importance
70 the mass of our citizens and only
concern those engaged in large 6
nancial transactions. In the restless
enterprise aud activity which free
and ready money among the people
produces is found that opportunity
for labor and employment and tnai
impetus TO business and production
which bring iu their train
PROSPERITY TO OUR CITIZENS IN EVERY
| STATION AND VOCATION.
New ventures, new investments in
business and manufactures, construc
| tion Of new and important works and
enlargement cf enterprises already
established depend largely upon OBJ
taining money upon easy terms with
fair security, snd-alL these things are
stimulated by the abundant volume
of q circulating medium. Even ths
harvested grain Of the farmer remains
without a market unless money i
forthcoming for lis government ant
!, transportation TO the seaboard. -
il The first results Of the scarcity o
money among the people is the exsc
. ton Of severe terms for its use. In
! creasing distrnst and timidity Is fol
, lowed BY q refusal TO loan or nd
vance on any terms. Investors re
: fuse all risks and decline all securl
ties, and in The general fright th
money still in the hands Of the peo
/. pie is persistently hoardel. Il
. quite apparent that when this per
fectly natural, II not inevitable, stag
} is reached, depression in all busines
( and enterprise will, ss a necessar.
, consequence, lessen the opportuuit
) for work and employment and re
7 duce the salaries and wages Of labol
|, Instead. then, Of being exempt froE
I the influence and effect Of the i'm
. mense surplus lying idle in the Ma
: tional Treasury, our wage-earner
T and others who rely upon their labo
b for support are most Of ell dirtctl
D concerned in the situation. Other
: seeing the approach Of the dangs
z may provide against II, but Il wi
!. find those depending upon their da
/ ly toll for bread unprepared, helples
1 and defenceless. Such q state Of d
g fairs does not present q case Of idl'
4 ness resulting from disputes betwec
,f the laboring man and bis employe
Is but II produces an absolute and er
) forced stoppage Of employment an
Ie wages.
ri In reviewing the bad effects
}. this accumulated surplus and Il
V scale Of tariff rates by which il is pr
h duced We must not overlook the teI
10 dency towards gross and scandalo,
public extrayagance which q congo
|. ted treasury induces, nor the fa
~ that we are maintaining without O
cuse, in the time Of profound peac
Js substantially the rate Of tariff duti
Imposed in the time Of war, VIII
4. The necessities OF the governmel
y. t...t,fod tha irunoaiiion NJ II