The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-12-10
Gloomy Predictions Of the Democrats
PrnYa Ealse-Tha Caunfrx Prnsnera.

The general interest in the operations OF the
treasury department had been much augmented
during the last year by reason of the conflicting
predictions which accompanied and followed
the tariff and other legislation OF the last con-
gress affecting the revenues, as to the results of
this legislation upon the treasury and upon the
country. On the one hand it was contended
that the imports would so fall of as to leave
the treasury bankrupt, and that the prices OF
articles entering into the living OF the people
would be SO enhanced as to disastrously
affect their comfort and happiness, while
on the other, it was argued that the loss to the
revenue, largely the result of placing sugar on
the free list, would be direct gain to the peo-
ple that the prices of the neces saries of lfs in
Guiding those most highly protected, would not
be enhanced; that labor would have larger
market and the products OF the farm advanced
prices, while treasury surplus and receipts
would be adequate to meet the appropriations,
including the large exceptional expenditures
for the refundng to the states of the direct tax
and the redemption of the AZ per cent bonds.
1t Is not my purpose 10 enter at any length into
discussion OF the effects of this legislation to
which have referred, but n brief examination
OF the statistics of the treasury and a general
glance at the state of business throughout the
country will, l think, satisfy you that its re-
suits have disappointed the evil prophecies of
its opponents and in a lage measure realized the
hopeful predictions of its friends.
Rarely if ever before in the history OF the
country has there been a time when the pro-
farm crop could purchase such large amount
OF things that enter into the living of the masses
OF the people. believe that full test
act of the Fifty-frst congress is very favorable
in its average effect upon the prices OF articles
flowing into common use.
During the twelve months from October /, 1890,
to September So 1884, the total value OF our for
eign commerce, imports and exports combined,
was 81, IA, S06,406 which was the largest of any
year in the history of the United States. The
VA in w
our commerce amounted to 81 ,647, 1893, and
the last year exceeds this enormous aggregate
by over $l0oo0o,o0o 1t is interesting, and to
some will be surprising to know that during
the year ending September 80. 1891, our imports
OF merchandise amounted to sS24 ,715, go, which
was an increase OF more than ST., 900 over the
value of the imports of the corresponding
months of the previous year, when the imports
oil merchandise were large in anticipation of
the tariff legislation then pending. The
average annual value OF the imports of
merchandise for the ten years from ISL to 1890
was $500, ls6, 522, and during the year ending
September 3d. 1891, this annual average was ex-
ceeded by 1872 52S, 469. The value of free i'm
ports during the twelve months ending Septem-
Der 30, 1891, was Sis 0923S7 more than the value
OF free imports during the corresponding
months OF the preceding year, and there was
during the same period decrease of sl6,s64,505
in the value OF imports of dutiable
merchandise. The percentage of merchandise
Ihave reference the first under the tariff, was
1i.1S, while during the preceding twelve
months, under the old tariff, it's percentage was
1927, an increase of 1891 per cent. II we take
the six months ending september so last, which
covers the time during which sugars have been
admitted free OF ty, the per cent: of value of
merchandise T. ed free of duty is found to
be 1887, whio l. ger percentage of free i'm
ports than during ~ prior fiscal year in the
history OF the govern meut.
Ii We turn to exports OF merchandise the sta
tistics are full OF qualification. The whole of
such ex orts OF merchandise for the twelve
months ending September 30, 1891. was s925,29l,-
months it was $500, I'LL lis, an increase of s62-
9l4,02l, which is fully three times the average
annual increase of exports OF merchandise dur
Ing any year in the history of the government
The increase in the value of exports of agricul-
turai breadstutfs during the year referred to
over the CORES ponding twelve months of the
prior year was st5,Si6,l97, while the increase in
the value OF exports OF manufactured products
was SIG, ,240.
There is certainly nothing in the condition OF
trade, foreign or domestic; there is certainly
nothing in the condition of our people of any
class, to suggest that the existing tariff aud
revenue legislation bears oppressively upon the
people or retatds the commercial development
OF the nation. 1t may be argued that our CON
dition would be better II our tariff legislation
upon a free trade basis, but it cannot be
denied that all the conditions of prosperity and
OF general contentment are present in a larger
degree than ever before in our history, and that,
too just when 1t was prophesied that they
would be in the worst state of agitation from the
radical changes IN tarlh. Financial legislation
cannot help, but may seriously impede business,
10 the prosperity of which some degree Oh
stability IN legislation is essential | think
there are conclusive evidences that the new
tariff has created several great industries which
wlil within 8 few years give employment 10
several hundred thousand American working
men and women. In view OF the overcrowdei
condition OF the labor market of The United
States the citizens should rejoice at such re-
suit
The report OF the secretary of the treasury
shows that the total rcceipts OF the government
from all sources for the fiscal year eadiug jane
So 1881, were SIS, Si4 233 o. while the exUendit-
Cres for the same period were si2f 99i 40 4G,
leaving surplus of So. %, 761 81 Tire receip,s
ct the rs al year ending June 80, 1s92 actual
and estimated. are S41j, 100 900. and the expend-
itures sio0. pQ),Jj0 Fo- tns fiscal year ending