Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-12-08


and reasonable charges therefore has
become of vital Importance not only to
shippers and carriers but also to the
vast multitude of producers and conslsn-
ers.
The justice and equity of the principles
embodied in the existing law passed for
the purpose of regulating these charges
are everywhere conceded. and there APP
pears to be no question that the policy.
thus entered upon, has a permanent place
in our legislation.
AS the present statute when enacted
was. in the nature of the case more or
less tentative AMI experimental, it was
hardiy expected to supply complete and
adequate system. While it's wholesome
effects are manifest and have amply
justified its enactment. it is evident that
al desired reforms in transportation
methods have not been fuzzy accomplished.
In view of the judicial Interpretation
which some provisions of this statute
have received and the defects disclosed
by the efforts made for it's enforcement
It's revision and amendment appear to be
essential to the end that it may more
effectually reach the evils designed TO
be corrected. ! hope the recommends
tons of the commission upon this subject
will be promptly and favorably consid-
cred by. the congress.
THE TARIFF.
! desire to recur to the statements else
where made concerning the government s
receipts and expenditures for the pur-
pose of venturing upon some suggestions
touching our present tariff law and its
operation. This statute took effect ON the
2Sth day Of August, 1894. Whatever may
be its shortcomings a complete meas
IRE of tariff reform, il must be conceded
that it has opened the way to a freel
and greater exchange OF commodities be-
tween ms and other countries and thus
furnished a wider market for our pro
ducts and manufactures.
The only entire fiscal year during which
this law has been in force ended on June
so. 1896. In that year our imports in
creased over those of the previous veal
more than Sc. $50. 900. while the value OF
the domestic products exported and which
found markets abroad was nearly $4,000.
900 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 to an
extent necessary to meet the expenses of
the government as well, those who
claim that tariff charges may be laid
upon such articles beyond the necessities
of government revenue and with the adj
ditional purpose of SO increasing their
price in our markets as to give American
manufacturers 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 sufiicency in this aspect, the
present law can by no means fall under
lust condemnation. During the only COM
piete fiscal year of its operation. it has
yielded nearly 5000 600 more revenue than
was received from tariff duties in the
preceding year. There was. nevertheless
a deficit between our receipts and ex-
penditures of little more than s25 00O.-
100 This however. was not unexpected.
The situation was such in December
last. seven months before the close of the
fiscal year. that the secretary of the
treasury foretold deficiency of ST 900 900
The great and increasing apprehension
and timidity in business circles and the
depression in all activities intervening
since that time. resulting from causes
perfectly well understood and entirely
disconnected with our tariff law or its
operation, seriously checked the imports
we would have otherwise received and
readily account for the difference be-
tween this estimate of the secretary and
the actual deficiency. as well as for a
continued deficit. Indeed it must be
a more unfavorable period than the last
two years for the collection of tariff rev.
enue We cannot reasonably hope that |
our recuporation from this business de- |
preston will be sudden. but it has al |
ready set in with q promise of accelera- |
t!on and continuance.
believe our present tariff law. if al |
lowed q fair opportunity. will in the near |
future yield revenue which. with rea-
sonabl.- economical expenditures. will |
overcome all deficiencies. In the mean
tine 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 a gold reserve
Of Slao0n.oo0, suplus of more
than Sl2S.0o0@o. applicable 10 the pay
cnent of the expenses of the government |
md which must unless expended for that
purpose. remain u useless hoard. or if |
not eXtraVagantly wasted must in any
went be perverted from the purpose of |
is exaction from our people. The pay
ncnt. therefore. Of any deficiency III the
revenue from this fund is nothing more
han it's proper and legitimate use.
y'he government thus applying a sur
Illus fortunately in its treasury to the pay
ncnt of expenses not met by its current
-cvt MES. is rot at all to be lkened to z
man living beyond his income aud thus
mourning debt Or cncroachng on his
1t is not one of the functions
If our government to accumulate and |
make additions to fund not needed for
expenditure. With individuals
t is the chief object of a struggle ana |
fort. 'Hhc application of an accumu-
atcd fund BY the government To the pay
nent of its running expenses is II duty.
An individual living beyond his income
ma embarrassing himself with debt OF
lrawing upon his accumulated fund o.
is either unfortunate or i'm
,rovident. The distinction is between a
government charged with the duty OF ex-
,endins for the benefit of the people and
or proper purposes all the money ii re-
civ es from any source and the indi-
idual who is expected to manifest a nat
iYal desire to avoid debt or to accumu-
ate much possible and to live
within the income derived from such a.
umula tons. TO the end that they may
re increased or at least remain unimpair-
d for the future use and enjoyment of
himself or the objects of his love and
Election who may survive him.
1t is UNNECESSARILY better to appropriate
ur surplus to the payment of justifia BILE !.
xpenses than to allow it to become an :
lvitation to reckless appropriations and :
expenditures. suppose Il :
i'll not be denied that under the present ).
w our people obtain the necessaries of !.
comforta bic existence at a cheaper rate !.
nan formerly. This is a matter of SUI .
since II is b. no 1raL IL, |