Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-12-08

= crHlpiStS measure OF tariff reform u
r'ust he conceded that It mas opened tne
way 10 freer and greater exchange
or commodities between US and other
countries and thus furnished n wider
market Tor our products and mann.
Gactures. The only entire fiscal year
curing which this Law has baer in force
ended On the 3eth day of June. 1895. In
tnaI year our imports increased over
tnose OF the previous year more than
st.7c1Uuo. while the value of the do
niestic products we exported and which
found markets abroad was nearly S50.-
opo.ueO mere Khan 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
De increased through tariff charges to
an extent necessary 20 meet the ex-
penses OF the government as well as
those who claim that tariff charges may
De laid upon such articles beyond the
necessities OF government revenue. and
With the additional purpose of SO in
creasing their price in our markets as
10 give American manufacturers and
producers better and more profitable
opportunities, must agree that cur tar
IN laws are only primarily justified "a
sources OF revenue to enable the gov
eminent 10 meet the necessary expenses
OF Its maintenance. Considered as TO
us sutiiciency in this respect the pres
eiit Jaw can by no means fall under just
condemnation. During the only CON-
plete fiscal year Of its opera tio! IL hes
yielded nearly SS.Co0.010 more revenue
IMAM was received from. tariff duties in
the preceding year.
ihere was. nevertheless. a deficit be-
tween our receipts and expenditures
CT little more than $50. COG. Geo This.
however. was not unexpected. The sit
uat!on was such in December, seven
months before TIE close OF the fiscal
year, thai the secretary Of the treasury
foretoid deficiency IF $1,000. eco. Tire
great and increasing apprehension and
llfnloity IN busl2-Ss circles and the de-
preston in all activities intervening
since that time. resulting from causes
perfectly wei! understood and entirely
disconnected with cur tariff law or its
operation, seriously checked the I'M
ports we wCJid save otherwise re-
ceived. and readily account for the diff
ference between this estimate of the
secretary aE6 tGa aCtCal deficiency. as
wei as for continued deficit. Indeed.
IL must be confessed that we could
hardly have had q more unfavorabie
period than the last two years for the
collection Of tariff revenue. We can
not reasonably hope that our recupera-
ton from this business depression will
be sudden, but il has already set in
with promise Of acceleratiun end con-
tinuance.
lowed fair opportunity. will in the
near future yield a revenue which. with
reasonable economical expenditures.
VIII overcome all deficiencies. IL the
meantime no deficit that has occurred
or may occur need excite or disturb US.
To meet any such deficit we have
in the treasury. in addition to n sold
reserve of 500. G0O.05o surplus of more
than s12S. 000.G GOO applicable 20 the pay
ment OF the expenses of the govern
ment. ard which must. unless eSpend
ed for that purpose. remain u useless
hoard. or If not eXtravagaEtly wasted
must iii any event be perverted from
the purpose of its exaction frc:n cur
people. The payment. therefore. Of any
deficiency III the revenue from this
fund is nothing more than its proper
and legitimate use.
The government thus applying a sur
plus fortunately in its treasury to the
payment of expenses not met by its
current revenues is not at all to be
likened to man living beyond his in
come and thus mourning debt or en-
croaching On its principal. 1t is not
one 81 The functions Of our government
to accumulate ana make additions to q
fund net needed for Immediate expen-
diture. With individuals IL is the chief
object of struggle ard effcrt. The ap-
plication OF an accumulated fund by
the government to the payment Of its
vidual living beyond his income and
embarrassing himself with debt. or
drawing upon his accumulated fund O.
principal is either unfortunate or i-l-
provident. The distinction Is between
n government charged with the duty
of expanding for the benefit of the peo-
pie and for proper purposes ali the
money it receives from any source. and
the Individual who is expected to mani
fest a natural desire TO aviui debt or
to Accumulate as much as possible. and
to live within the income derived from
such aocumulstions, to the end that
they may be increased. or at least re-
main unimpaired for the future use
and enjoyment: OF himself and the OBJ
jects Of his love and affection who may
survive him.
II is imme ;Ourably better 10 appro-
pirate cur surplus to the payment OF
iustifiable expenses than to allow il TO
| become an invitation 10 reckless appro-
priationS and cytravaCant e-pendi-
lures. ST pose il will not I've denied
that under the present law our people
obtain the necessaries of 4 comfortable
! existence at a cheaper rate than for
merly. This is n matter OF supreme i'm
portance. since il is the palpable duty
! of every just government to make the
| burdens of taxation as light as posi-
| BILE The people should not be required
| TO relinqui=h this privilege Of cheap
! living except under the stress of their
governments necessity made plainly.
manifest