The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1894-12-28
REVENUE REFORM.
As Suggested In the Annual Report Of Sec.
retary Carlisle.

"lf this country is to utilize to the
fullest extent the opportunities offered
by its geographical position, natural
resources, and the mechanical skill
and commercial enterprise of its peo.
pie, it must adhere steadfastly and
aggressively to the revenue policy in
augurated by the present Congress at
its last session. The reducuon of
taxation to the lowest point compa.
tible with the collection of revenue
sufficient to maintain an efficient pub
lie service is duty which, upon the
plainest principles of justice, every
Government owes to its citizens unde-
all circumstances but, when the taxa
tion is imposed in such form or at
such low rates as to increase the cost
of living and obstruct the processes of
industry and trads, this duty becomes
still more imperative, AMI failure to
discharge it when the power exists is
gross violation of the public trust
and confidence.
"For many years our tariff laws
have been framed upon the theory
that the wealth of the country could
be increased by imposing taxes upon
the people, and that the prosperity OF
our industries could be promoted by
increasing the cost of production, and
the result has been that the net profits
of labor and capital constantly dimin-
ished until they reached point which
made further development of our re-
sources almost impossible. But little
opportunity was afforded for the ex-
tension of our manufacturing and
mechanical industries or for the growth
of our trade at home or abroad, and
thus the farmers and other producers
of the country were confronted by a
situation which compelled them to re-
ceive diminished rewards for increased
production.
"a change was demanded by every
consideration of public duty and prl-
vate interest, and, although the recent
legislation did not accomplish all that
was expected or desired, it inaugurated
policy which it is hoped and be-
lieved will ultimately result in a great
improvement In our industrial condi.
ton and a corresponding enlargement
of our internal and international com.
merce. In the prosecution of this
policy no temporary check or appar.
ent diversion of the public mind to
other subjects should be permitted to
diminish our confidence in its final
success or weaken our determination
to maintain a consistent advocacy of
its claims to the favorable considera-
tlon of the people. On the contrary,
reverses should stimulate increased
effort, and every movement
hereafter made should be a step for.
ward in the direction of freer trade
and more equal distribution of the
rewards of industry.
"The raw materials used in the pro.
duction Of commodities for the use of
the people in their homes and in their
various industrial pursuits should be
free from taxation, in order that the
burdens of labor may be lightened, the
opportunities for employment increas
| ed, and the necessaries of life made
more abundant and less expensive. II
our industries are to be proftably con
Quoted, reduced cost of production
must precede or accompany reduced
prices of the finished product, and as
cheap commodities increase consump
ton the interests of all classes will be
promoted by removing the obstruc.
tions which deny our skilled laborers
and artisans access to the worlds
store of raw materials.
"The late act, while it places upor
the free list considerable part of the
most important raw materials used ir
our manufactures, left iron and leac
ores and bituminous coal, together
with several other articles of less con
/