Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1890-01-04
A job for Congress.

The best financial papers are hand.
ling without gloves the management
of the government which permits q
surplus of $90,000000 to accumulate
in the treasury in 1889. They are
tender about exposing the inaccurate
statement of the presidents message
which placed the surplus al $43OOO,O0O
when $45,000,000 more was charged to
the sinking fund. The sinking fund
is already far ahead of its Legitimate
obiect-actually overpaid by the enor-
nous sum of $700,00O00O.
From the productive energies OF the
country the government collects a vast
revenue, expends lavishly for purposes
proper and improper and still has
surplus each year approximating $780,
100000. This is nothing short of
swindling the people. The govern
ment is supposed to belong to the peo-
ple-to be its instrument for cxecut-
ing certain movements which neces-
sarily must be performed by and for
the whole people. What right has The
government to take from the people a
cent more than the actual expenses of
its operation! AT a time when COM
plaint arises Of scarcity of money,
what excuse can there be for throwing
millions into a sinking fund which is
already uselessly swollen beyond its
needs? In every state from New
Hampshire to California farmers are
contending against terribly low prices,
and every possible tightening of bur.
dens should he the constant effort OF
government.
A government may be bad by forci-
bly, limiting the liberty of its subjects.
That sort Of bad government has been
washed away in blood many times.
In closely organized industrial age
government may be as oppressive by
bearing heavily upon labor and agri-
culture. Those occupations are select
ed because under government indus
trially oppressive the other occupa-
tons are better able to take care of
themselves by combining for influence
with rulers and Legislators.
A few persons recommend that our
government reduce the surplus by
raising duties and checking importa-
tons. This method might do away
with the surplus, but it puts more on
in bounties than it takes off in taxes.
The monopolies and trusts and ascot
ations would have tighter grip on
prices than ever. Labor and agricul-
lure would be more at the mercy OF
the classes which can combine more
quickly and effectively. Others rec
ommend greater expenditures for pen
sions, internal improvements, navies
and public buildings. The expendi-
ture of dollar for such purposes on
ly for the sake of spending is robbery.
Spending for necessary purposes may
be endured, even when wasteful, but
deliberate exactions from the people
as a whole TO get gratuities for politi-
cal favorites is unconstitutional and
ruinous.
Lower taxes, cut down the bounties,
pu: the government under the obliga'
ton 10 collect only what it needs and
account with a necessary purpose for
every cent il spends. No other princi-
pie of national finance is endurable.
Our fathers and grandfathers used
to grumble when the government was
collecting $SO,0O00O0 year. We have
certainly not more than twice as many
people and no more natural resources
perhaps the steady exhaustion of
our hest lands east of the Mississippi
has lowered our resOu rces-and we
pay into the treasury five times as
much in taxes and to special classes
ten times as much in bOunties. We
are making millionaires on the top
and squeezing labor and agriculture
at the bottom.
Cut down both taxes and bounties.
Spend money only because there is
some public occasion for spending.
The welfare of the whole people is the
single defense for appropriating cent
or imposing u cents taxes.