The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1896-12-10

rected. / hope the Recommendation Of the
commission upon this subject will be
promptly and fayorably considered By the
congress.
.ls1sA; THE TARIFF.
He Believes That the Wilson Bill
Should BE Given n Better TRIAL.
desire to recur to the statements else
where made concerning the governments
receipts and expenditures for the purpose
of yenturing upon some suggestions touching
our present tariff law and its operations.
This statute took effect on the 18th day of
August, 1894. Whatever may be its short
comingS as complete measure of tariff
reform, it must be conceded that it has
opened the way to a freer and greater ex-
change of commodities between us and
other countries and thus furnished wider
market for our products and manufactur-
ing.
The only entire fiscal year during which
this law has been in force ended on the
Both day Of June, 1896. In that year our
Imports increased over those Of the previous
year more than $G,50O,OO while the value
Of the domestic products we exported and
which found markets abroad was nearly
$70,OO0,0OO more than during the preceding
year.
Those who insist that the cost to our
people of articles coming to them from
abroad for their needful use should only be
Increased through tariff charges 10 an e1-z
tent necessary TO meet the expenses Of the
government, as well as those who claim
that tariff charges may be laid upon such
articles beyond the necessities of govern
ment revenue, and with the additional pur-s
pose OF so increasing their. price in orr
markets as to give American manufactur-
ers and producers better and more profitable
opportunities. must agree that our tariff
laws are only primarily justified as sources
OF revenue to enable the government to meet
the necessary expenses Of its maintenance
Considered as to its sufficiency in this
aspect, the present law by no means
fall under just condemnation. During the
only complete fiscal year of its operation It
has yielded nearly $S.OO0,O0O more revenue
than was received from tariff duties in the
preceding year. There was, nevertheless,
deficit between our receipts and expen-3
p ditures Of little more than S25, 600, COO
This, however, was not unexpected.
81 The situation was such il DescEs.:sF, sew
en- months before the Close Of the fiscal
year., that the secretary of the treasury
foretold deficiency of SIT, 900, 600. Tho
great and increasing apprehension and tim
idity in business circles and the depression
: in all activities intervening since that time
resulting from causes perfectly. well under
stood and entirely disconnected with our
tariff law or its operation. seriously checked
the imports we would have otherwise re-
ceived, and readily accounted for the diff
ference between the estimate of the secre-
tary and tho actual deficiency, as well rs for
continued deficit. Indeed, it must be con-
fessed that we could hardly have had Il
more unfayorable period than the last two
years for the collection of tariff revenue
we cannot reasonably hope that our recu-s
peratiOn from this business depression will
be sudden; but it has already set IN, with
promise of acceleration and continuance. /
halt oso,1,,z 4o-,s
fair opportunity, will, III the near future
yield revenue which, with reasonable
economical expenditures, will ovcrcc,,c all
,defcienclns. In the mcanti.., - deficit
, that has occurred 81 E.ay cceuf nssl excite
or disturb u.s. S
To meet any such deficit we hare in the
treasury, in addition to gold reserve OF
500, 100000. a surplus Of more than sl2s.-
8 100000 applicable to the payment of the ex-
penses of the government, and which must
unless expended for that purpose, REGAIN
useless hoard. OF, NOT 7eAtraylgantiy
wasted. must in any event be perverted
from the purpose of its exaetion from our
people. The payment, therefore, of any
deficiency OF revenue from this fund. is
nothing but its proper and legitimate use
The government thus applying surplus,
fortunately in its treasury. to the payment
OF expenses not met by its current revenues,
is not at all to be likened to a man living
beyond his income, and thns incurring debt
or eneroaching on mis- principal 1t is not
one of the functions of our government to
accumulate and make additions to fund
not needed for Immediate expenditure
With Individuals, 1t is the chief object of
struggle and effort. The application OF an
accumulated fund by the government to the
payment OF its running expenses is duty.
An individual living beyond his income and
embarrassing himself with debt, or driving
upon his accumulated fund of principal, is
a hnp FIJI 4rr,,, -
5finction Is between government char
with the duty of expending. for the benefit
OF the people. and for proper purposes all
the money it receives from any source and
the Individual who is expected to manifest
natural desire to avoid debt or to acc,l-
muldte as much as possible and to live With
in the income derived from such accumula-
tons, to the end that they may be in
creased or at least remain unimDaired for
the future use and enjoyment of himself
and the objects of his love and affection
who may survive him. MA
1t is UNNECESSARILY better to annronria 70,
our surplus to the payment of justinable
expenses than to allow it to become an in 4
vitation to reckless appropriations and
extrayagant expenditures. suppose that
It will not be denied that under the present
law cur people obtain the necessarfes Of a
comfortable existence at cheaper rate
than formerly. This is matter of sr1-
preme Importance, since it is the naInab,e
duty OF every just government to make the
burdens OF taxation as light as possible
The people should not be required to relin-
quish their privilege Of cheap living except
under the stress OF their governments ne
cesSity made plainly manifest
FINANCIAL REFORM
Congress Is Again UrEently Rcanc..
ted to Take Action. 8