The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-12-28

Considerable space is next devoted
to the propriety under the circum-
stances to showing the propriety OF
these taxes. 1t is scarcely necessary,
! the secretary saws. 10 suggest so con-
gress that present and prospective
confidence ia the treasury and the gen.
eral good of the country demand the
strictest economy in public expendi-
lures consistent with an efficient adj
ministration of the law.
Reductions of taxation cannot
be too greatly insisted on
and made practically beneficial
without a corresponding reduction in
expenditures; but such reduction can
not be permanently affected by merely
withholding appropriations required
| for the proper execution OF existing
laws which impose duties upon the
heads OF executive departments and
other public officials. Deficiencies are
not savings, but as general rule re-
suit in larger expenditures than would
have been made if adequate appropri-
atiCns had been granted in the first
instance. Genuine economy and fru-
gality can be secured only by
the repeal of statutes authorizing
or requiring unnecessary expenditures
and refusal to enact new laws creating
charges against the treasury for pur-
poses of doubtful utility, and although
such policy will probably be vigorously
opposed by powerful interests more or
less dependent upon the patronage Of
the government for support and by To-
cal influences seeking legislative fav-
ors, it is evident it must be adopted
and adhered to if any substantial re-
suit is to be accomplished.
On the basis of existing laws the
secretary says the revenue of the gov.
eminent for the present fiscal
year is estimated at $780, IL |, 1865. 3S and
total expenditures at $45S, 121 ,365.3S, or
deficit of 1913, 100000. On basis of
existing laws the revenues for the ifs.
cal year OF 1895 will be S454 ,427, 74S.4 A.
Estimated appropriations heretofore
submitted aggregate sass, 346 ,2O6. 93 or
an estimated surplus of Sc, 1870, 95S.56.
Discussing foreign commerce
the secretary says: Prominent
facts disclosed by statistics
are that the value of imports of mer
chandise has attained the highest
point in the commercial history of the
country and exports of gold have
reached higher figure than ever be.
fore in single year since the founda-
ton of the government. The outward
movement of gold occurring in time of
peace and apparently in deficiency OF
commercial laws will make
the year 1898 memorable in
financial and commercial experience.
Imports as we'll as exports
of silver coin aud bullion are fewer in
amount than recorded in any one year
of the country's history, exceeding
even the panic year of 1873. The year
1893 has also noticed further decline
in relative to the ilnportations of the
amount of merchant marine, the for
eign carrying trade falling from even
the lowest point in 1882 to the lowest
point on record, only 1879 per cent of
of our imports and exports being car
ried in American vessels.
The secretary says economy and
good administration in collection of
customs revenue will be promoted by
combining customs duties in the inter
ior to commercial centers. He recon
mends that the law he so amended as
to authorize the secretary Of the
treasury to reduce the number of Gus
tom districts wheneve he thinks it in
the interest of the service, and that he
be authorized where commerce war
rants it, to station officers to enter aud
clear vessels.