Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1895-07-16

sound Practical Advice.
One of the ablest, II not the ATTEST
writer's. on economic questions Is Mr.
Edward Atkinson. who has made himself
famous by bis writings for Harper's
Weekly, the Boston Herald and other
newspapers and magazines In poi5ics
Mr. Atkinson may be called an Inde-
pendent. with Democratic tendencies.
One Of his recent articles on the Cost
of the Government" is worthy Of especial
attention as It shows that the deficit in
the national revenue is the result Of
extravagsnt expenditures and this con-
dition of the country was further caused
by the recent financial depression.
Mr.. Atkinson thinks that with a suit.
able appropriation on the part Of Con.
gress In the one case and the restoration
OF the normal condition Of business IN
the other. the revenue from the present
tariE will be sufficient for the support Of
the Cover nment Mr.. Atkinson takes
the ground that revenue which pro-
duces the sum OF So for each inhabItant
viii easily be obtained under the rate Of
duties now existing, and that this will
be ample to meet all the expenses OF the
National Government. prudently ad-
ministered, and pay eff the remainder
OF the national debt In the next twenty
years.
In support Of this he says "Undsr
the efficient and careful administrations
Of Presidents Arthur and Cleveland. and
the wise financial direction OF the
Treasury by Secretaries Felger. McCul
loch, Manning and Fairchlld-these
terms corresponding to the fiscal years
ending June 80. 1882 to 1883 inclusive
the cost Of the government was only
"a IS head.
Since the last date named Mr.. Atkin-
sen thinks there has been a reckless ruah
TO Increase the expenditures Of the gov
eminent. The surplus In the Treasury
and the desire to fnd an excuse for 4
high tariff In the needs OF the admins
tration we're responsible for this. They
have demoralizsd the tone Of our public
life 70 = great degree. Here is the
permanent responsibility for deficiencies.
The danger Of the free coinage Of silver
made the exigency Of the hour. The
hrmness of President Cleveland averted
the worst effects of this latter cause, and
its influence will yet more be felt With
returning prosperity in the business Of
the country The revenues must
steAdily-perhsps lareely-lncrease from
this cause, The statesmanllke course
would be to bring the expenditure back to
the proportions Of earlier years.
This is undoubtedly the correct idea
but It is doubtful If the Democratic
party Is able. even II willing, to do this
and IA is quite certain that the Repubi
cans win not Extravaganza In expendi
ture Is the order OF the day aud we
doubt II it can be controlled as Mr..
Atkinson advises He. himself. is
dubious on this point. his view OF the
cause Of deficiency 10 the governmsit
revenues Is undoubtedly the correoi one
aud his advice for future action ls
practical and sound. We agree with
him that the present tariff will provide
all necessary funds to mset the demands
Of an economically administered govern
ment, but let.ths executive branch Of the
government be ever so mush incllaed 10
econcmize It can do very. little
when Congress is disposed to spend til,
money, aud this seems to Be more and
more the tendency Of the popular branch
Of the government.