The advocate and Topeka tribune., 1892-08-17

ALN W hN0AA kn0 A0VNAAo udtOuu kA6 IbtA
necessities of the public service; and the
country has already felt the injurious effects
of their combined influence. They succeed
in obtaining a tariff of duties bearing most
oppressively on the agricultural and labor
ing classes of society, and producing rev.
enue that could not be useiully employed
within the range of the powers conferred
upon congress-; and in order to fasten upon
the people this unjust and unequal system of
taxation, eXtravagant schemes of internal
improvement we're got up in various quar-
ters to squander the money, and TO purchase
support. Thus, one unconstitutional
measure was intended to be upheld by
another; and the abuse of the power of taxa
ton was to be maintained by usurping the
power of spending the money in internal
improvements. You cannot have forgotten
the severe and doubtful struggle through
which we passed when the executive depart
ment of the government, by its veto, ell
deavored to arrest this prodigal scheme of
injustice, and TO bring back the legislation
of congress to the boundaries prescribed by
the constitution. The good sense and prac-
tical judgment of the people when the sub
ject was brought before them, sustained the
course of the executive; and this plan of un-
constitutional expenditure for the purposes
of corrupt influences is, trust, finally over
thrown.
Dec0ltful Prospects Held out.
"The result of this decision has been felt
in the rapid extinguishment of the public
debt, and the large accumulation of a sur
plus in the treasury, notwithstanding the
tariff was reduced, and ia now far below the
amount originally contemplated by it's adj
vOcatGs. But rely upon it, the design to col
lect an extravagant revenue, and to burden
you with taxes beyond the economical wants
of the government is not yet abandoned.
The various interests which have combined
together to impose a heavy tariff, and TO
produce an OverflowinR treasury, are too
strong, and have too much at stake to sur
render the contest. The corporations and
wealthy individuals who are engaged in large
manufacturing establishments, desire high
tariff to increase their gains. Designing
politicians will support it to conciliate their
favor, and to obtain the means of profuse
expenditure for the purpose of purchasing
influence in other quarters, and since the
people have decided that the federal gov
ernment cannot be permitted to employ its
income in internal improvements, efforts
will be made to seduce and mislead the cit-
Zens of the several states, by holding out to
them the deceitful prospect of benefits TO
be derived from surplus revenue collected
by the general government and annually di-
vided among the states. And if encouraged
by these fallacious hopes, the states should
disregard the principles of economy which
ought to characterize every republican gov
eminent, and should indulge in lavish ex-
penditures exceeding their resources, they
will before long find themselves oppressed
with debts which they are unable to pRy,and
the temptation will become irresistible TO
support high tariff, in order to obtain q
surplus distribution. Do not allow your
selves, my fellow citizens to be misled on
this subject. The federal government can
not collect surplus for such purposes with
out violating the principles of the constitu-
ton and assuming powers which have not
been granted. tits, moreover, system OF
injustice, and If persisted in, will inevitably
lead to corruption and must end in ruin.
The surplus revenue will be drawn from the
pockets Of the people, from the farmer, the
mechanic and the laboring classes OF soci-
ETY.; but who will receive it when distrib-
uted among the states, where it Ia to be dis
posed of by leading politicians who have
friends to favor, and political partisans TO
gratify2 1t will certainly not be returned
to those who paid 1t, and who have most
need of it, and are honestly entitled to it.
There is but one safe rule, and that Is to
confne the general government rigidlY
within the sphere of its appropriate duties.
It has no power to raise revenue, or TO
impose taxes, except for the purposes emu
merated in the constitution; and IL it's in
come is found to exceed these wants, IL
should be forthwith reduced, and the bur
dens of the people so far ightened."
A Dangerous Weapon.
Let me also cali your careful attention TO
the following passage from the same address:
1--WE are not left TO conjecture how the
moneyed power, thus organized and with
such weapon in it's hands, would be likely
to use it. The distress and alarm which
pervaded and agitated the whole country,
when the Bank of the United States Waged
war upon the people in order TO compel
them to submit to it's demands,
cannot yet be forgotten. The ruthless and
unsparing temper with which whole cities
and communities were oppressed, individu-