New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-07-25
THE JULY REVENUE.

The chor,ls of satisfaction at the increase or
revenue is almost as amusing as II is unwar-
rantcd Drowning men catch at straws, to be
sure, but this particular straw cannot support
itself and sinks with It's own weight. A slight
examination Of the official returns discloscs the
fact that the revenue IS running far below eX-
pectations. SO that the official supporters Of the
present revenue system might we'll be anxious
to have the returns pass quite unnoucen. III
twenty-three DAYS. practically threequartcrs of
the month of July. the revenue was s2ls''''N''
and NJ the same rate for the whole month would
be $40 1G7 600. but it is well known that some
receipts are largest about the beginning OF the
month and half year, that II Is natural 10 eA-
pcct that the total for the month Will fall pelow
that amount Now the revenue in July, lS'l'
was S3l 100000; in 1892. S34GooWO. ana i'll the
panic month Of July. 1893. 1t was S3o3oo"o'
the average being $333O0OOo including the
month Of panic. Last year tile receipts were
S34 500 600 and the average for four years III
July was S339OOOO0 Thus the estimated rcve-
me for July this year IS from S4.lOo'ooo 10
S. 100000 less than the average in previous
years including the year of panic
II is an unpleasant duty TO remind Demo'rauc
friends that such Il decrease means for twelve
months about $-O,OO0.0OO, and deficit OF s'o'-
900 ooo q wear is not "A creditable result for
system adopted after eighteen months oi Iapor
by a party which gained power through deaIeh
ing mankind with promises OF Reform lh's
result too is based on receipts AFTER several
months Of revival in business, when our bch'o
cratic friends would have us believe that Inc
industries and business Of the country are iuiiy
restored 1t is simply dssraceful that great
powerful and rich Nation, If restored 10 the pros
peritv which formerly added Sl.2oO,OV"ooo year
" 10 its wealth. should be running toward Dahh
runtcv at the rate OF S50OOOOOO year. Inc
customs receipts have been at the rate OF Si3'
455 600 In July, but the average for the three
wears. 1919. including the panic month IN
1894 was Sl6OOO.00O. A decrease Of 81
for the month notwithstanding the addition OF
dutics on sugar expected to yield S3,G)o.ooD per
month Is not a creditable result, ii must be adj
mittcd The internal revenue has been at the
rate Of S13144 900 in July. while the average for
the three wears 1923 S14I0OOUV, show
ing q further loss OF 81 100000 per month. in
snite Of additional taxes on whiskcy and play
inc-cards. which were expected to yield Sli3o-
ooo ner month. The palpable fact is that Dem
ocratic rcforrncrs did not know what they were
necessities Of Government.
Rut the difficulty goes deeper. and In time many
Of the rerormers will be forced TO see it, The
country grows in population nearly . per cent
vearlv and increases in wealth more than double
its increase in population, so that on any car'i"
calculation the increase will be found 10 exceed
per cent yearly, taking good years win pan
The revenue Of the country. depending upon
nopulatiOn. the earnings Of the people, the III
crease in wealth and ability to purchase, natural
w increases about , per cent yearly, more lh
wears Of prosperous growth, but less In years OF
reaction If the Democratic revenue system
were properly adjusted to the needs OF the couh-
try it would produce at least 20 per cent more
than the revenue yielded in 1891 in the hrSt year
OF the latest Republican revenue law. lns'caH
Of this natural increase, which would more IMAM
provide for the inevitable growth OF expenses III
a growing country. the Democratic revenue law
appears from the July returns TO promise
shrinkagc Of S50O00O00 year Had this been
intended. had appropriations been cut down wi'h
rigid economy. the case would be different But
Democratic lawmakers did not cut down eX-
pcndlturcs. expected n revenue 10 cover larger
appropriations than were ever made before, ana
have caused a deicit only because they were In
competent.
The only refuge OF Democratic statesmen Is 10
say that the people have not yet been fully re-
stored TO normal prosperity. and that the same
law would yield larger revenue II the people were
as prosperous they were before the panic
This may be quite true, but the question remains
whether the degree Of prosperity enjoyed before
the election OF 1892 is possible under Democratic
laws If these laws cripple some industries. sub
icct others TO vastly increased foreign cOmpctl-
ton. and prevent restoration Of wages 10 the
level of 1892. is II not plain 10 every man Of
cOmmOn-sensc that the revenue must also re-
fleet the resulting decrease in consumption? II
Democratic friends explain the failure Of their
law on the ground that prosperity has not been
restored they have 10 face the fact that their
laws caused whatever loss Of prosperity they
may acge II they set up no such claim. but
insist that the country is as prosperous as ever
their official returns show that Democratic states
men were the most incompetent lawmakers ever
assembled on the planet.