New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-05-29
4 CONDITION. NOT 4 THEORY.

The Democratic Senator's, who have been
whipped into line In support of the German
BILL affirm with one consent that II viii yield
n surplus OF revenue. The estimates Of This
surplus differ widely, but Senator German Sen
ator Jones and all the leaders admit that it will
be large and that II will increase rapidly with
the restoration Of prosperity. They describe
the Wilson bill as II left the House as meas
urc for creating deficit and claim for them
selves the merit of having transformed the de
ncicncy into an overlooking surplus that will
be- more than ample for meeting the require
mcnts OF the Government
We are not concerned at this time with the
general accuracy OF these estimates but for the
sake Of the argument accept them ut their full
value. Let il be granted that the German Sen
atora combine has patched up Il tariff which
will not only enrich the trusts but will also
create n surplus. What follows? These Sen
ators are deliberately reproducing a condition
OF unnecessary surplus revenue, against which
President Cleveland lnveighed In the strongest
possible terms In 1887 as the following passage
from his famous tariff message plainly shows
Both of the great political parties now repre-
scented I'm the Government have. by repeated and
authoritative declarations. condemned the condition
OF our laws which permits the collection from the
unnecessary
most solemn manner promised Its correction; and
neither as citizens nor partisans are our country
men In a mood 10 condone the deliberate violation OF
these pledges. our progress toward wise con-
clusion will be improved by dwelling upon the
theories OF protection and free trade. This
too much OF bandying eplthets. 1t IL condition
which confronts us-not theory Relief from this
condition may involve n slight reduction OF the
advantages which we award our home productions.
but the entire withdrawal OF such advantages
should not be contemplated. The question OF free
trade is absolutely irrelevant; and the persistent
claim made in certain quarters that all efforts to
relieve the people from unjust and unnecessary
taxation are schemes Of so-called free-traders Is
mschievous and far removed from any consldera-
ton for the public good. The simple and plain
duty which owe the people Is TO reduce taxation
to the necessary expenses OF an economical opera
ton OF the Government and to to the busl-
ness OF the country the money which hold In
the Treasury through the perversion of Govern
mental powers.
IL the Senators are sincere In their declara-
tons that the German Tariff will yield a
very large surplus. 1t il their duty, President
Cleveland himself being the witness, "to reduce
taxation to the necessary expenses of an eco
nomcal operation of the Government" They
need not waste time nor beat the air In dwell
Ing upon the theories Of Protection and Free
Trade "rhis savors too much Of bandying
epIthets." 1t Is condition which confronts
them not n theory. Instead Of legislatlng with
reconciliation and delbcration for providing
surplus revenues. they ought at once to pay
heed to President Cleveland's historic warning
and to avoid levying unnecessary and oppres-
slve taxation. Let them drop the income and
sugar taxes at once, since according to their
own confident assertions their Trust and So