The Forrest City times., 1896-12-11
THE TARIFF QUESTION.
Suggestions Touching the Present Law
aud It's Operations.

desire to recur to the statements elsewhere
made concerning the governments receipts
anu expenditures for The purpose OF veuturiag
upon some suggestions touching our present
tariH law and It's operation.
This statute took effect on the 2sth day of
August 1904, Whatever may be It's shortconi-
lngs as complete measure OF tariff reform. It
must be conc, ded that II has opened the way
70 freer ana greater exchange of eommodi-
ties between the United States and other
countries, aud thus furnished wider market
for our products and manufacturers. The only
entire iseal year during which this law has
been enforced ended on the S0th day OF june
1890 In that year our Imports increased over
those OF the previous year more than Sc 5Oo,OOO
Whiie the vaiue of domestic pfodus IS We vxs
ported, and which found markets abroad. was
nearly s'OVoo,0OO more than during the pre-
oeding year.
Those who insist that the cost to our people
OF articles coming to them from abroad Tor
tnelr needfui use should only be increased
through tariff charges to an extent necessary
to meet the expenses of the government az
we'll as those who claim that tarin charges
may be laid upon such articles beyond the
necessities OF ofgovernment revenue, and with the
additional purpose OF so increasing their price
In our markets as to give American manufac-
turers and producers better ana more pronta-
pie opportunities must agree that our tariff
laws are only primarily justified sources OF
revenue to enable the government to meet the
necessary expenses OF Its maintenance Con-
sidered as to Its sufficiency in this aspect the
present law can by no means fall under Just
condemnation During the only complete
hscal year OF its operation 1t has yielded near
~ dopo.VO more revenue tnan was received
from tarin duties In the preceding year There
was, nevertheless, q deficit between our re-
celpts and expenditures OF a little more than
&o,00JOO0 This, however. was not unex pected.
The situation was such in December last seven
months before the close of the fiscal year. that
the secretary OF the treasury foretold def
cheney OF 81, 100000.
Need Nor Excite or Disturb Us.
In the meantime no deficit that has occurred
or may occur need excite or disturb u.s. 10
meet any such deficit In the treasury, In add-
tlon to q gold reserve OF 81 0.o00 900, a surplus
OF more than $685. 600 applicable to the pay
ment OF the expenses OF the government, and
which must unless expended for that purpose,
remain useless hoard; or IL not extravagant-
ly wasted, must in any event be perverted from
the purpose OF its exaction from our people,
Ine payment, therefore, OF any deficiency in
the revenue from this fund is nothing moro
than Its proper and legitimate use.
Matter of Supreme Importance.
suppose 1t Will not be denied that under
the present law our people obtain the neces-
saries OF comfortable existence at cheaper
rate than formerly. This is o matter of supreme
Importance, since It is the raIpable duty OF
every just government TO make the burdens OF
taxation as light as possible. The people
should not be required to rellnquish this
privilege OF cheaper living except under the
stress OF their governments necessity made
plainly manifest.