New-York tribune., 1893-12-05
promises better administration of their Govern

The law en,bodving this reform found its way
TO our statute book more from fear OF the popu-
lar sentiment existing in its favor than from
any love for the reform itself on the part OF leg
islators: and ii has lived and grown ana hour
ished in spite Of the covert as Wen as open nos
tity Of spoilsmen. and Notwithstanding the
querulous imDrac;icabity Of many seii-cohsti-
tuted guardians. Beneath all the Vasarles ana
sublimated theories which are attracted TO IL
there underes this reform sturdy coihiIlon-
sense prnciple not only suited to this mundane
sphere but whose application our people are
more and more recognizing to be absolutely es-
sentia to the most successful operation of their
Government. If not to its pcrpetuity. go
II seems to to be entirely inconsistent with
the character of this reform as well as with us
best enforcement, to obliGe the commission 10
rely for clerical assistance upon clerks detaled
from other departments. There ough, ho' 10 pc pe
such condition in any department that CLERKS
hired TO do work there can be spared 10 Hdpl'-
uallv work at another place; ana IL does hot
accord with a sensible view or civil service re-
form that persons should he employed on lhe
theory that their labor is necessary IN one de-
Dartmcnt when In point Of fact thclr services
are devoted to entirely different Work In an
other department. .. . -
earnestly urge that the clerks necessary TO
carry on the work OF the commission be regu-
larlv put upon It's roster and that the system
Of obliging the Commissioners 10 rely upon tne
services OF clerks belonging to other depart
ments be discontinued. This ought not Z" IN
crease the expense to the Government whie II
would certainly be more consistent ana ada
greatly 10 The efficiency of the commission
ECONOMY.
Economy in public expenditure IS duty that
cannot inncenty be neglected by those IN
trusted with the control OF money drawn from
the people for public 1t must be confessed
that our apparently endless resources. the ram
iliarity of people with immense accufnuia-
tons of wealth. the growing sentiment among
them that the expenditure Of public money
should in some manner be 10 their immediate
and personal advantage the indirect and almost
stealthy manner in which large part OF our
taxes are cXactcd and degenerateu sense ot
official accountability have led TO growing eX-
travaeancs in governmental appropriations.
At this time when a depleted public Treasury
confronts us. when many Of our people are en-
gagged in hard struggle for the neccssaries Of
life and when enforced economy Is pressing
upon the great mass Of our countrym"n, desire
fo urge with all the carncstncss at my com
maud that Congressional legislation be so lin
tied by strict economy ne 10 exhibit an appre-
citation OF the condition of the treasury ana
sympathy with the straitcncd circumstances oI
our fcllow-citizcns.
The duty Of public economy Is also OF Inn
mense Importance in It's Intimate ana necessary
relation TO the task now Ia hand OF providing
revenue to meet Government expenditures, ana
yet reducing the peoples burden OF Federal
taxation. -
After a hard struggle tariff reform is directly
before u.s. Nothing so important claims our
attention and nothing so clearly presents itself
as both an opportunity and duty-ar oppoT-
tunitv to deserve the gratitude of fellow
citizens and "A duty imposed upon us by our oft
repeated professions and by the emphatic man
date Of the people. After full discussion our
countrymen have spoken In favor OF this re-
form. and they have coniided the work Of Its
accomplishment t. the hands OF those VINO are
solennly pledged 10 IT,
If there * anything in the theory OF n repre-
sentation I'm public places Of the people ana
heir desires il public officers are really the ser
wants Of the people and If political promises ana
professions have any binding force. our failure
TO give the relief SO long awaited VIII be sheer
Nothing should intervene To dIs-
tract our attention or disturb our enort until
this reform is accomplished by wise and careful
legislation.
While we should stanchly adhere TO the prin-
cpe that only the necessity of revenue tustihes
the imposition Of tarin duties and other Federal
taxation. and that they should be limited by
" rici economy. cannot close our eyes 10
The fact that conditions have grown mp among
us which i'm iustncss and fairness call for dis
eliminating care in the distribution OF such
duties and taxation as the emergencies OF our
Government actually demand.
aanifcstly If we to aid the people directly
through tarin reform. one ~ Its most obvious
features should be "A reduction In present tarin
charges upon the ncccSsaricS Of he. IN" bene-
fits of such a reduC ton would be palpahlc and
substantial. seen and felt by thousails who
would be better fed and better clothed and
better sheltered. These gifts should be the
willing bencfactons Of a Government whose
highest function Is the promotion Of the wei
fare of the people.
Net less closely related 10 our peoples pros
perty and we-belng IL the removal Of restric-
lions upon the importation of the raw materials
10 our manufactures. The world
should be open to our national ingenuity and
This cannot be while Federal leg /
station. through the imposition Of high tariU /
Orbids to American manufacturers as cheap ma /
erials as those used by their competitors. II /
: quite obvious that the enhancement Of the |
price Of our manufactured products resulting /
rom this policy not only confines the market |
or those products within our own borders. TO |
he direct disadvantage Of our manufacturers. |
Dut also increases their cost TO our citizens.
WAGES AND THE TARIFF
The interests Of labor are certainly. though /
involved in this feature Of our tariff |
;ystcm The sharp competition and active ,
struggle among our manufacturers TO supply |
he limited demand for their goods. soon fiji the |
narrow market 10 which they are confined.
Then follows a suspension Of work in mills and |
actories a discharge Of employees. and distress |
II the homes OF our wOrkingmcn.
Even If the often disprovcd assertion could be |
made good that lower rate Of wages would |
..sult from free raw materials and low tariff |
hem quickly 10 discover that their steady en-
loymcnt. permitted by free raw materials, IL
he most important factor in their relation to
ariff legislation.
THE WILSON BILL.
A measure has been prepared by the appro
riatc Congressional Committee embodying tariff
cforrn on the lines herein suggested. which will
e promptly submitted for legislative action.
is the result Of much patriotic and unsclnsh
York, and / believe 1t deals with its subject
and thoroughly existing
itions permit
am satisfied that the reduced tariff duties
rovided for in the proposed legislation. added to
xisting internal-revenue taxation. will. in the
ear future. though perhaps not Immediately. |
roduce sufficient revenue 10 meet the needs OF
he Government.
The committed after full consideration. and To
roVidc against a temporary deficiency which |
iay cXs. before the business Of the country
djusts itself to the new tariff schedules. have
-isciy embraced in their plan few additional
ltcr. al-rcvcnue taxes, including Il small tax
pom incomes derived from certain corporate
iVestmcnts.
These new assessments are not only absn-
itcly just and easily borne, but they have the