The National tribune., 1889-02-21
T1NKERrNa THE REVENUE.

TINKER1NG THE REVENUE
Before boiling any farther after this allur-
ing cry of "Reduee the Revenues" would it
not be well for our Lawmakers to halt a lit
tie while to take breath and counsel?
Is there any real demand anywhere for a
reduction of the revenues? Is anybody ac-
tually complaining that he is opprest by the
present system of taxation? If so, he has
signalIy failed in making his voice heard.
1t is astonishing how little attention he has
been able to attract at time when there
has been so vigorous a quest made for OPP
pressed and down-trodden victims as has
been within the past two years.
They have been agitating the question
now for nearly two years. For about nine
months the House of Representatives ham,
mered at it day in and day out. Then the
campaign workers, journalistic and oratori-
CAL took it up, and made the country ring
with it for three or four months, and since
the election the Senators have been stirring
it up assiduously. Every possible encour-
agement and opportunity have been given
those who are claimed to be suffering from
heavy burdens to come forward and make
their grievances known, but, as the Irishman
said, they are very backward about coming
forward"
Everyone must admit that the tooters and
shouters have been amazingly disappointed
In results.
1t daily becomes clearer that the whole
thing was Fictitious issue gotten up by
Mr.. Cleveland and his supporters for politi-
cal effect, to enable him and them to con-
tinue in the power with which they were
invested four years ago.
Now, the question is, how much farther
they are going to follow this cold scent?
How much more countenance are they going
to give to an issue that never had anything
but forced life and activity, and now can
only be kept alive by continual effort on
your part?
The great mass of the people do not want
the revenues tinkered in any shape or man
ner. They can see nothing but illusion in
| the "relief" suggested. The inevitable loss
to them from any arrangement of the pres
ent system will be vastly greater than any
possible gain promised them by the most
sanguine of the reduction tooters. They
want simply to be allowed to go ahead, as
they have been going on prosperously for
years under the laws as they are, without
danger of harm from malicious or maladroit
meddling
If there is excess of revenue-which is ex-
eeedingly doubtful-there are plenty OF
appropriate uses forit. The payment of the
long-due debts to the soldiers should be pro-
vided for. Common justice and National
honor require that the country discharge its
obligations to the men to whom it owes
everything before it strips itself of its power
to pay. Under the revenue system as it
stands the country has had % years of un-
exampled prosperity. Further, every year
of its continuance is marked by still greater
strides toward commercial and industrial
greatness. Why NEEDLE with it? Can any
change promise to do more for US than il
has? Do not unimaginable dangers Turk
behind ill-advised tinkering?
Hands off The reUeaWes!
Do not tamper NTH the eountry's prosperity
Pay off the Nations debts to the men lohO pre-
served 1T before any reduction is made.