The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1894-08-29

Maj. J. NJ. Richardson in Houston Post
Turget's Principles and Resources.
To the Editor of The Post:
Daingerfeld, Texas, July l7-Turgot was
Frenchman, but his fame was European.
Born in 1927, he died in 1881. He was q
man of fortune, but no capitalist in the
present sense Of that term; no merchant, no
banker, no Spectator, no monopolS., no
wrecker of railroads--there were none in
existence-or of other industrial enterprises
to enrich himself at the expense Of others.
But he had been student first generally,
then of theology, next Of law and public
economy, and lastly OF the practical work
ings of the laws and institutions of his
country in their influence npon the inter
ests OF all conditions of the people. He
understood his countrymen, their callings,
ranks, classes and grades OF society He
knew his country's laws and institutions,
and comprehended their bearing upon the
welfare of all walks Of life. He saw that
the good OF the whole demanded the pros
prosperity OF each class, that none should
be maintained or fostered at the cost Of an-
other, and he was prepared to do justice to
every man. lie had moreover, the conf
dence of all in his wisdom, justice, modcr
alton, integrity and patriotism. SO en-
dowed and equipped, SO blessed with the
confidence OF government and people, he was
offered the portfolio Of minister Of finance
corresponding very much to our secre-
tary Of the treasury-at time when the
French eXcheqner Was empty and the peo-
pie burdened with taxes through the pro-
tiigacy OF spendthlitt government: that
had been intent upon expressing the mass
es for the benefit of favored classes. Ac-
cepting the appointment trem his yonng
sovereign, the unfortunate Louis XVI. he
laid down these as three guiding princi I. les
Of his administration:
l. No state bankruptcy.
9 No increase Of taxes.
3. No borrowing.
And these were his only resources:
/. Economy.
2. Wise management.
The principles and resources OF Iurgot
commend themselves to the approval Of al
enlightened people. Every departure from
them or any oil them has always been
fraught with mischief and often with peril.
Entering upon the duties of his position,
Turgot began by looping off all unncccrs-
sary governmental expenditures. est .bli, lied
! free trade in grim within the kingdom, au-
thorized the importation Of supplies from
abroad, relieved traffic in the ncccessaries
Of life from many burdensome restrictions,
abolished various monopolies and ex-
elusive privileges, reformed taxation,
promoted public works and encouraged
1c,11ft hn trna mi
| basis of all prosperity. TO schools he
also paid great attention, and he it was who
said To his king, "Sire, we have schools to
turn out arithmeticians, geometricans, SCI
entists, grammarians and logicans jugglers
in words, facts and figures, but none to
produce men and patriots" and hc PIC
posed to organize such schools. Alus, that
our schools are today subject to the very IL
dictment drawn by Turgot against those OF
France more than hundred years ago!
But isn't history continually repeating
itself? When Cleveland turned over the
keys to Harrison in 1885, the federal tiSc
was overhowing with large and ever in
creasing surplus, showing that taxation Was
| largely in excess of the needs Of govern
ment. Harrison went into office or his
pur,y's pledge to revise taxation (the tariff
and reduce the surplus. The people ex
pected that both wonld he accomplished by
a reduction OF tariff taxes, but the republi.
can party dcfraudcd the just expectations
Of the people b. Increasing the tariff and
squnn dering the surplnS. Hence. in rrpnb
lican parlunce, ito revise" taxation means
ito increase" it, and ito reduce" accuInu.
lated tax receip pts means Ito squsnder' the
surplus. The indignant people crying out
Now be these juggling ticnds no more
believed,
Who palter with us in double sense.
Who keep tho word of promise to our eur
But break it to our hope
swept the republican 'jugglers" from place
and restored democracy to power; but when
March 4, 1898, Harrison restored the keys
to Cleveland and the new keeper went to
the treasury to look into its contents, be.
hold 20 hole in the ground" met his inquir-
| ing gaze! Moreover, it WAS found that the
inflow was by no means equal to the ont
flow, tor the infamous Mckinley tariff
had raised the taxes so high that receipts
had largely fallen off
An empty treasury and dwindling re-
ceipts from oppressive taxation met Iurgots
view, whilst all over the land the people
were TCSLleSS uLlu tlSCOUlCAtCO VI ShSSOohs
OF the tyrannical exactions of the govern
ment and of favored classes. What more
exact counterpart could history present TO
that which met Cleveland's gaze when he
was inaugurated March 4, 1893.
The favorites and favored classes of for
mer administrations conspired against Tur-
got and induced the king to remove him
from Office The administrative reforms
|inaugurated by the great statesman were
not continued and soon came the revolution
predicted by him if abuses were not re-
formed. The revolution came, bringing
chaos in its train, sweeping government
and favored classes from the earth--and
from its ttroes France has hardly yet re.
covered.
History is philosophy-teaching by exam
pie. Ought not onr Legislators and states
men to study the past as we'll as the present,
and then from the rock Of experience fore
cast the future? Laws are for the future,
and all their probable effects should be
carefully considered in advance of their
passage. The psuedo statesman who seeks
to advance the interest of faVorites and fa-
vored classes at the expense Of tie welfare
of the people at large, is digging grave Of
well-merited contempt for himself, rs his
tory will declare.