The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1892-08-19

own laws within its own sphere Of action ~
Abuse OF the TAXING Power.
And particularly beg 70 invite your atten
ton 10 this language, found in the same id
There is, perhaps. no one Of the powers o5n-
ferrcd on tho federal government SO liable to
abuse as the taxing power. The m most PEeaaet-
i've and convenient sources OF revenue we're
necessarily given 10 it that ft might perform
the important duties imposed upon it, and the
taxes " hlch it lays upon commerce being con
ccaled from tho real payer IN the price OF the
I article, they do not readily attract the at
tenti0u Of the people as smaller sums demand
cd directly from them by the tax gatherer
But the tax imposed upon goods enhances by
50 much thc price Of the commodity 10 The con
/ sumner; and many OF these duties are i'm
posed on articles Of necessity which are daily
used by the great body OF the people, the
money raised by these imports Is drawn from
their pockets Congress has no right under
the cons titution 70 take money from the people
unless it is required 70 execute some one Of the
speclhc powers enLruSt tea 70 the government
l and il they raise more than is necessary
for such purposes, it is an abuse OF
the power Of taNat!on, and unjust
1 and oppressive. Itmay indeed happen that the
revenue will sometimes exceed The amount
/ tfciDated when The taxes were laid. When.
however, this is ascertained, 10 is easy to re-
duce them; and in such case, IL is unquestion-
ably the duty Of the government 10 reduce
them for no Circum stances can justify IL ia as
Stunning powc- not given TO II by the constitu-
tion, nor ia taking away lhs money OF the
| people when it is not ne .ded Tor the legitimate
wants OF the government
''PIatn rs these principles appear TO be, you
| wlil find that there Is q cons tnnt ehoFt 10 in
/ ducC the general government TO go beyond the
/ limit OF ITS taxing power, and 10 impose unncr-
i cssary burdens the people. Many powerful
/ interests are continually at work to procure
heavy duties commerce and TO swell the
revenue beyond the real necessities OF the
public service; and the country has already
! bined tnnucnee- They succeed In Oh
Z tanning tariff OF duties bearing most
| oppressivcly on the agricultural and lEboring
| classes OF society ana producing revenue thai
/ could not be us2fuuy employed within the
/ range OF the powers conferred upon congress:
| and in order TO fas ten upon the people this uu-
just and unequal system OF taXatiOur extrava-
I gan. schemes OF internal inn rovement were got
{ uo in various quarters TO suuaudcr the money
/ and to purchase support Thus, one uuconst-
B tutional measure was intended TO be upheld by
another and the abuse Of the power OF taxation
/ was 70 be maintained by usurping the power Of
! spending the money IN Internal improvements
] You cannot have forgotten the severe ana
/ doubtful struggle through which we passed
when the executive depar tment OF the govern
ment, by It's veto, endeavored TO arrest this
prodigal scheme OF injustice, aud TO bring back
the legislation OF coagres' TO the boundaries
prescribed by yte constitution The good seasc
and, practical judgment OF Tic people when she
Subject was brought before them. sustained abe
. course OF the executive and this plan OF IN
I constitutional eXPend tire for the purposes
OF corrupt Influences Is. trust finally over
+ thrown
The result of this decision has been felt In the
. rapid exuEguishment Of the public debt and
the large accumulation OF surplus in the treas
ury. Notwithstanding the tariH was Feauced'
7 and is far below the amount originally
contemplated by It's advocates but rely upon
II, the design 70 collect an eAtraFaEaht reEc-
Z nue., and 20 burden you with tlxes beyond the
econ omical wants OF the government is not yet
abandoned The various interests which have
combined together TO impose a heavy tariff, and
/ TO produce an overlooking treasury. too
I strong and have too much at stake 10 sur
render the contest The corporations and
wealthy individuals who are engaged in large
I manufacturing establishments, desire a high
taTin 10 increase their gains. Designing poll
ticians will support it to coucilihts their favor
and 10 obtain the means OF profuse expenditure
for the purpose OF purchasing influence in other
quarters, and since the people nave decide 4
that The federal government cannot be permit
ted TO employ its income in internal improve
ments, efforts VIII be made 10 seduce alsi mis-
lead the citizens OF the several states, BY hold
ing out 20 them The dcceitful prospect Of bens-
nts 70 De derived from surplus revenue col
lected by the general government and annually
divided among the states And II encouraged
/ b. these faillcious hopes, the states shou d
I disregard the principles OF economy which
ought characterize every republican gov
I ernucut and should indulge in lavish ezpendi-
. lures exceeding their resources, they will be
fore long hul themselves oppressed with debts
which they arc unable TO pay and the tempta
Z tion will become irresistible TO support a high
/ tarIh, ia order 70 obtain surplus distribution
Do not allow yourselves my fellow citizens. q
/ be misled this subject The federal govern
I menL cannot eo4iect q surplus TOT 5teil purpose
I without violating The principles OF the cuustl
tuition and assuming powers which have moi
i been granted II IS moreover a system OF In
jus ice and II persisted in. will inevitably lead
! TO corruption and must end in ruin The sur
plus revenue villa be drawn from the pockets OF
. I the people, from the farmer. The mechanic aul
the faporiuE classes OF society but WhG will re
o. I ceivc II vhen distributed auone Tho states
! where it is 10 be disposed OF by leading politi
: clans who have friends % favor, and poiitica
/ partisaus to gratfys Il VIII certainly not o,
returned to those who paid. and who have mos
need OF 70, and are honestly entitled to it
I There IS but one safe rule, and that is to con
line the general government rig!dlF within IEt
b sphere OF its appropriate duties 1t has ~
, / power 70 raise a revenue. or TO impose taxes
b. except for the purposes enumerated in the con
sutuuon and IL It's income IS found 70 exceed
these wants, IL should be forthwith reduce .
) and tLe burdens OF The people SO far lghtened.
a Dangerous Veapou.
Let me also call your careful attention to tn,
following passage from the same address:
1--WE are no left 10 connect ure how the money
ed power. IA US organized and with such yFea pol
in its hands. would be- likely 70 use it. tn
, distress and alarm which peFvaded and azgi
Z lated the whole country, when the bank OF IN
70 United States Waged war upon the people Il
Z order 10 compel them 20 submit 80 its demands
r cannot yet be forgotten The ru thless and IN
5 splring temper with which whole cities an
= communities were oppressed Individuals i'm
{ poverished and ruined and d scene OF Cheerful