The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1896-12-07

versal necessity, and the question OF just
and reasonable charges therefore has
become OF vital Importance not only to
shippers and carriers, but also to the
vast multitude Of producers and consum-
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 ap-
pears to be no question that the policy.
thus entered upon. has permanent place
In our legislation.
AS the present statute when enacted
was I'm the nature OF the case, more or
less tentative AMI experimental, 1t was
hardly expected to supply complete and
adequate system. While It's wholesome
effects are manifest and have amply
justified it's enactment II Is evident that
all desired reforms I'm transportation
methods have not been fully accomplished.
In view of the judicial Interpretation
which some provisions OF this statute
have received and the defects disclosed
by the efforts made for Its enforcement,
Its revision and amendment appear to be
essential to the end that II may more
effectually reach the evils designed to
be corrected. i hope the recommends
tions 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 governments
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
18th day of August 1894. Whatever may
be It's shortcomings as a complete meas
ure of tariff reform, II must be conceded
that II has opened the way TO "A freei
and greater exchange Of commodities be-
.s.l... th..s
furnished "A wider market for our pro-
ducts and manufactures.
The only entire fiscal year during which
this law has been I'm force ended on June
80, 1896. In that year our imports In
creased over those of the previous year
more than $6,5OO0OO, while the value OF
the domestic products exported and which
found markets abroad was nearly SO,OOV.
600 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 or
the. government as well as those who
claim that tariff charges may be laid
upon such articles beyond the necessities
OF government revenue and with the ad-
ditional purpose of so increasing their
price in our markets as to give American
nrufacturers 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 sufiiciency in this aspect, the
present law can by no means fall under
just condemnation. During the only com-
plete fiscal year OF Its operation, IL has
yielded nearly sS.000,0 900 more revenue than
was received from tariff duties I'm the
a deficit between our receipts and cox
penditures of a little more than $25, ,O00.-
900. 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 81, ,0O0, ,0O0
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 n
continued deficit Indeed Ii must be
confessed that we could hardly have had
a more unfavorable period than the last
two years for the collection OF tariff rev.
enue. We cannot reasonably hope that
our recuperation from this business de-
preston will be sudden, but II has al
ready set in with promise of accelera-
tion and continuance.
believe our present tariff law If al
lowed a fair opportunity. will I'm the near
future yield a revenue which, with rea-
scnably economical expenditures. will
overcome all deficiencies. In the mean
time no deficit that has occurred or may
occur need excite or disturb us.
To meet any such deficit We have i'm
the treasury, in addition to a gold reserve
of $lO0,OO0.c00 supluS OF more
than Sl2S0C0,000. applicable TO the pay
ment OF the expenses OF the government,
and which must, unless expended for that
purpose, rc~-Gin q ue"'oss hoard, Or if |
hot tAtrats,.nly wdsted must In any
event be perverted from the purpose of |
it's cxactlon from our people. The pay |
ment, Therefore. OF any deficiency In the |
revenue from this fund IL nothing more |
than It's proper and legitimate use.
The government thus applying a sur |
plus fortunately In It's treasury to the pay |
melt of expenses not met by It's current |
revenues. is not az all to he likened to a |
man living beyond his income and thus |
incurring debt or oncroach!ng on his |
principal. II Is not one OF the functions |
OF our government TO accumulate and |
make HuultlOfS 10 "A 1bu not needed Tor
Immediate expenditure. With individuals |
IL is the chief object Of n struggle and |
effort. The application OF an accumu-
lated fund by the government to the pay
ment Of its running expenses Is duty
An individual living beyond his income
ana embarrassing himself with debt OF
drawing upon his accumulated fund OF
r. either unfortunate or i'm.
provident. The distinction Is between a
government charged with the duty OF ex
pending for the benefit OF the people and
'or proper purposes all the money IL re-
,eives from any source, and the indl. |
,idual who IL expected to manifest a nat.
lral desire to avoiG debt or to accumu-
ate as much as possible and to live
within the income derived from such ac-
TO the end that they may
,e increased or at least remain unimpair.
'd for the future use and enjoyment OF
himself or the objects of his love and
lffection who may survive him.
IL is immeasurably better to appropriate
ur surplus to the payment of justiiiable
xpcnses than TO allow IL TO become an |
ivitation to reckless appropriations and
xtravagant expenditures. / suppose IL |
,ill not be denied that under the present
NV our people obtain the necessaries OF |
comfortable existence at n cheaper rate |
l.... III. L. L.