Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1889-12-12
AS To THE TREASURY.

of the message as our space will per-
NIT
As To THE TREASURY.
The existence of "a large treasury
surplus should have the immediate at
tention of congress, with u view to re-
ducing the receipts of the treasury to
the needs of the government rs closely
as may he. The collection OF moneys
not needed for public uses imposes an
unnecessary burden upon our people.
and the presence OF so large u surplus
IN the public vaults is II disturbing ele-
ment in the conduct of private busi-
hess. 1T has called into use eX Xpedients
for putting it into circulation of very
questionable propriety. We should
not collect revenue for the purpose oi
anticipating our bonds beyond the re-
quireinents Of the sinking tund, but
any Inappropriate ed surplus in the
treasury should he so used, as there il
no other lawful way OF returning the
money to circulation, and the profit
realized by the government offers sub
stantial advantages. The loaning OF
public funds to the banks without in
tcrest, upon the security OF govern
ment bonds, regard as an unauthor-
lied and dangerous expedient. 1t re-
suits in n temporary and unnatural
increase OF the banking capital OF fav-
ored localities and compels a cautious
and gradual recall OF the deposits to
avoid injury to the commercial inter
eSts.
TARIFF REVISION AND PROTECTION.
| ] recommend revision of our tariff
law, both in its administrative feat
ures and in the schedules. The need
of the former is generally conceded,
and an agreement upon the evils and
inconvenience to be remedied and the
best methods for their correction will
probably not be difficult. Uniformity
OF valuation at all our ports is essen
tial, and effective measures should be
taken to secure it. Ii Is equally de
slrable that the question affecting
ratios and classiiications should be
promptly decided.
The preparation OF "a new schedule
OF customs duties is u matter of great
dclicacy, because of its effect upon the
business OF the country and OF the
great difficulty by reason OF the wide
divergence oi opinion as to the objects
that may he promoted by such legis
| latiOn. Some disturbance of business
may perhaps result from the consider
alton OF the subject 10y congress, but
this temporary i'll effect will he reduced
to the minimum by prompt action
| and the assurance which the country
enjoys at this time that any neces-
sary changes will be 80 made as not to
impair the Just and reasonable pro
lection of our home Industries. The
inequalities OF the law should he ad-
justed, but the protective principle
should he maintained and fairly ap-
piled to the product OF our farms as
well as to our shops. These duties
necessarily have relation to other
things besides the public revenues. We
cannot limit their effects by fixing our
eyes on the public treasury alone.
They have "a direct relation to home
production, to work, to wages and to
the commercial Independence of our
country, and the wise and patriotic
legislator should enlarge the field al
his vision to include all OF these. The
necessary reduction III our public rev
enues can, ] am sure, he made without
making The smaller burden more oner-
Gus than the larger 10y reason oi the
disabilities and limitation which the
process OF reduction puts upon both
capital and labor. The Tree list can
very safely be extended 10y placin.
thereon articles that do not offer in
furious competition to such domestic
products a. our home labor can sup
ply. The removal OF the internal tax
upon tobacco would relieve an i'm
portant agricultural product from IA
burden which WAS imposed only be-
cause our revenue from custom duties
was insufficient for the public needs.
II safe provision against fraud can bt
devised the removal OF the tax upon
spirits used IN the arts and in manu-
features would also offer an unob-
jectionable method of reducing the sur
plus.
NAVAL ARMAMENT.