The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1892-12-10

There are two statements in President
HARRIsoN's last message to Congress
which should not pass unuoticed. One is
that, ''under the existing tariff up to Deo.
l. about 500, O00, eco Of revenue which would
have been collected upon imported sugar
if the duty had been maintained, has gone
into the pockets of the people and not into
the public treasury as befere.n
That is virtual admission that the
tariff as tax. It also suggests the ques-
uion, If it is an advantage 20 the people to
have the duty taken oil sugar, why would
it not be similar advantage to them to
have the duty taken of wool. Wouldn't 9
reduction of the duty. or tax on woolens
also be gain to the peoplel BY the
operations OF the protective system much
Of the tax on weolens. instead Of going
into the treasury, goes tneo the Golfers of
the corporations that profit by the tariff.
Not that it is claimed that thsf get any OF
the money thatcones fromthe duty, but that
they do get most of the profits that come
from the high prices which the duty makes
possible for their manufactures.
The statement OF the President on the
sugar saving is an argument against his
own position in regard to protection.
And if the people have had relief
to the amount he names by the re-
peal of the sugar duty, can he blame them
if they cry for more rslief IN the sane di-
rection? And would not cheap blankets
and cheap coats, or better blankets and
coats at present prices, prove g big relief
to the common consumer Of staple goods?
The Presidents other statement to
which we allude is that the estimate Of the
amount necessary to mset the pension
charges for the ensuing year is sl55, 600 GOO
He cites as the sum appropriated last year
S144.956. coo. But he admits that thera ia a
deficiency of S1O,05s, 62l. This will make
the total amount for last year. SI55, 014,621.
But he omits TO mention that The pension
list was increased during the year by
1873, COS, and also that there are nearly half
a million moro applicants 10 be passed
upon. Taking ali this into consideration,
has he not placed the estimate at very
low figure, and IS not his purpose in doing
SO to make the increased expenditures for
pensions which must follow, look like ex-
travagance on the part OF the new admins
tratious
That the nation should take care of its
disabled soldiers, 20 one disputes. That
the necessary amount to do this must cone
out Of the national treasury is beyond
question. And that the country should
bear this burden cheerfully all parties Will
agree. But it is matter of common rec
ogniton that the pension. list has been
crowded with names that ought rot to be
there, and that a Democratic Congress will
have to dispense money which the Repab-
lcans have pledged for such pensions,
must be evident to everybody that reGds
ana thinks, and no wrong impression
as to the amount necessary to meet those
obligations oughtto be made upon The pub
lie mind.
Pension reform is called for, as well as
tariff reform. Both will no doubt receive
due attention. But under existing condi-
tons and pledges ana dues, the work Of re-
form viii have TO be proceeded with eau
tioualy and conservatively, ana not in The
rash and needless manner which some Re
publican papers demand of tho Democratic
administration, and which they assume to
be the policy of the Democratic party.