The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-07-03
an rmpAnuassrp GOVERNMENT.

With all the vast resources Of this immense
and busy country the public debt statement
| issued for the month Of June just past SHOWS
that for the first time in thirty years INC Wv
| eminent is seriously embarrassed TOT money
| 20 meet current expenses ana tho '"iio"'
other charges on the Treasury. u SHOWS
that the public debt has increased about Co.
900 900 during the month. while the surplus
has been reduced at least to that amount
during the same period. 1t also shows tnat
customs receipts were about slO,OOO.OOO less
than during the preceding fiscal year. whiie
receipts from internal revenue were fS.0oo.0Oo
and from various miscellaneous sources
nearly $50, 900, 900 greater.
In every respect this is very significant
showing. and it presents 10 the public IN q
nutshell the baleful effects of Republican
rule. From 1875 TO 1889 the Republican party
was deprived by Democratic majority IN the
lower house Of power to rob the people by
recklessly squandering the public money, and
TO clog the wheels of Government by incon-
siderate and partisan legislation. Yet in only
one term of Republican Congress elected IN
1888 we sec large surplus oflmilhons upon mil
lions of dollars itself accumulated by sys-
tenn of unnecessary taxation imposed on the
country by the Republican party-complete'y
dissipated and taxation Of the masses, ALREADY
exorbitant, still further increased for the ben
eft of a few monopolists and party fayorltes'
Again. this public debt statement for June
shows another point worthy OF the most
thoughtful consideration. The customs re-
CENTS. which should form the leading source
of revenue of the Government because It IS
a system that provides revenue which IS
more easily borne and less heavily felt by the
people than any other which could be devised.
show a material falling of while the receipts
from internal revenue. which is a direct bur-
den upon individual taxpayers, are increased.
Thus it appears that the people are really
taxed twice-once under the Mckinley
tariff law for the benefit Of monopolists, and
again under the internal revenue laws for the
benefit of the Government.
The condition, then. to which the Repbh-
can party in the short space of two years
have brought the people Of the United States
is as follows: A magnificent surplus as a safe
guaranty against financial trouble dissipated
a bankrupt treasury; a constantly increasing
burden of taxation; a heavy tribute levied
upon the many for the benefit of the few.
and an army Of pension sharks and public
paupers being fed at the public crib at cost
greater than sufficient TO maintain the stand
ing armies of tho most powerful nations of
Europe.
In the emergency what must be done? The
people must look to the Democratic party for
relief and that relief must come in a iudicious
pruning of Republican eItravagances and
tightening of public burdens by a wise reform
of the tariff and internal revenue laws. To
this object will the Democracy have 70 adj
dress itself when Congress meets, and nj
though the obstacles to be encountered are
serious. and although the task is difficult.
there is no doubt their efforts will lie success
full Then when the relief does come the
voters must make up their minds irrevocaby
hereafter to confde their welfare to the pro-
tective care Of the peoples party, and never
again to intrust themselves 10 the tender
mercies Of Radicalsm.