The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1889-12-10

| SSl ,5l3 92 from miscellaneous sources,
S32. 335, S03.23. The ordinary expeudi-
tur.s for The same period were S28l, 1885,
els so and the total expenditures, inclu-
ding the sinking fund, were S329, SIS. 929.-
%.
| THE MESACING SURPLUS.
] he existence of so large an actual and
anticipated surplus should have the im-
mediate attention of congress with a view
to reducing the receipts of the Treasury to
the needs of the government as closely as
may be-.
The collection OF moneys not needed for
public uses imposes an unnecessary burden
upon our people and the presence of go
large surplus in the public vaults is
disturbing element in the conduct of
private business. 1t has called into use
expedients, of very questionable prOpriety.
for putting it into circulation.
We should not collect revenue for the
purpose of anticipating our bonds beyond
the requirements of the sinking fund, but
any nns ppropriated surplus in the treas
ury should be SD used, as there is no other
lawful way of returning the money TO
circulation and the profit realized by the
governme IT offers a substantial advantage.
AN IRREGULAR EXPEDIENr.
The Ioaning of public funds to the banks
without interest, upol the security of COY
eminent bonds, regard as an unauthor-
lied and dangerous expedient. IL results
in a temporary aud unnatural increase Ut
The banking capital of favored localities
and compels cautious and gradual recall
of the deposits to avoid injury to CONNER
cial interests.
Ii is not To be expected that the banks
having these deposits will sell their bonds
to the treasury so long as the present
highly beneficial arrangement is continued
They now practically get interest both
up N the bonds and their proceeds. No
further use should be made of this method
of getting the surplus into circulation, and
the deposits now outstanding should be
gradually Withdrawn and applied to the
purchase of bonds. 1t is fortunate that
such use can be made of existing sur
plus and, for some time to come, of any
casual surplus that may exist after con-
gress has taken the necessary steps sor a
reduction of the revenue.
Such legislation should be promptly but
very considerably enacted.
TARIEF REVISION RECOMMENDED.
| recommend a revision of our tariff law, /
both in its administrative features and in |
the schedule. The need of the former is |
generally conceded, and an agreement |
upon the evsls and inconyeniencies to be |
remeGied and the best methods for their |
will probably not be difficult.
Uniformity of valuation at all our ports |
is essential, land effective measures should |
be taken to secure il. 1t IS quite desirable
that questions affecting rates and classic
cations should be promptly decided.
The preparation OF a new schenule of
custom duties is matter of great delicacy,
be cause of its effect upon the business of
the country and of great difficulty by rea-
SON If the wide divergence of opinions as
to the objects that may be promoted by
such legislation. Some disturbance of
business may perhaps result from the con-
'ideration of THE subject by congress, but
his temporary iii effect will be reduced to
4 minimum by prompt action and the as
'urance which the country enjoys that any
necessary changes will be so made as not to
IMPAIR the just and reasonable protection
If our home industries.
PROTECTION MUST BE MAINTAINED.
The inequalities of the law should be
adjusted, but the protection principle
hould be maintained and fairly applied
o the products of our farms as well as our
hops.
These duties necessarily have relation to
'ther things beside public revenues. We
annot limit their effects by fixing our
yes on the public treasury alone. They
ave direct relation to home production,
0 work, to wages and to the commercial [
of our country, and the wise
nd patriotic Legislators should enlarge the {
eld of his vision to include all of these. Is
The necessary reduction in our public
eyenues can, an sure, be made without
making the smaller burden more onerous
har the larger By reason of the disabilities
nd limitations which the process of re-
uction puts upon both capital and labor.
The free list can very safely be extended !
y placing thereon articles that do not
fer injurious competition to such domestic |
roducts as our home products can supply.
REMOVE THE TOBACCO TAX.
The removal of the internal tax upon ,
nbacco would relieve an important
gricultural product from burden which ,
-ns imposed only because our revenue
ON custom duties was insufficient for Its
ablic needs.
If safe provisions can be devised, the
of the tax upon spirits used in the i
rts and manufactures would also offer an {
method of reducing the
urplus.
SERVICE PENSIONS FAVORED. 1
The law now provides a pension for
very soldier and sailor who was mustered I
nto the service of the United States during G
be civil war and is now suffering from
POUNDS or disease having an origin in the c
srvice and the line of duty. Two of
nree necessary facts-muster and disabil- 4
y-are usually susceptible of easy proof,
ut the third-origin in the service is J
ften difficult and, in many deserving
asses, impossible to establish.
That very many Of those who endured