The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-12-07

The annual report OF the commissioners
will be duly transmitted. and L commend
the important matter they have In charge
to the careful consideration OF the con-
gress.
The interstate commerce commission
mas during the last year supplied abun-
dant evidence of It's usefuneSS and the
Importance OF the work committed TO Its
charge. Public transportation Is a uni
yersal necessity, and the question OF just
and reasonable charges therefore mas
become Of vital Importance not only to-
shippers and carriers. but also 10 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 a permanent place
In our legislation.
AS the present statute when enacted
was. In the nature of the case. more or
less tentative anl experimental, II was
hardly expected to supply a 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 It's enforcement,
its revision and amendment appear to be
essential to the end that IL may more
effectually reach the evils designed to
be corrected. / hope the recommended
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 tho governments
receipts and expenditures for the pur-
pose Of ventaring upon some suggestions
touching cur 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 1t has opened the way to freei
and greater exchange OF commodities be-
tween us and other countries and thus
furnished wider market for our pro-
ducts and manufactures.
The only entire fiscal year during which
this Jaw has been IN force ended on June
30. 1896. In that year our imports IN
creased over those CT the previous yeai
more than s6.500,0o0, while the value OF
tire domestic products exported and which
fc md markets abroad was nearly s1o,OOO,'
900 more than during the preceding year.
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 .hose who
claim that tarin charges may be laid
upon such articles beyond the necessities
Of government revenue and with the ad-
ditional purpose os SO increasing their
price in our markets as 70 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 sufficiency In this aspect. the
present law can by no means fall under
just condemnation. During the only COM
plete fiscal year of It's operation, II has
yielded nearly 81 000, 900 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. .000,-
600. 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 a deficiency of 81, 900, 900.
The great and increasing apprehension
and timidity in business circles and the
depression In all activities intervening
perfectly well understood and entirely
disconnected with our tariff law or it's
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, IL 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 IL has al
ready set In with a promise Of accelera-
tion and continuance.
I believe our present tariff law, II al
lowed a fair opportunity. will in the near
future yield revenue which. with rea-
sonably 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 In
the treasury, in addition to gold reserve
OF $1o0 000, 600. siplus OF more
than SIPS 600 900, applicab to the pay
ment Of the expenses Of the government.
and which must unless expended for that
purpose remain a useless hoard. or II
not extravagantly wasted must In any
event be perverted from the purpose OF
it's exaction from cur people. The pay
ment. therefore. or any denclency In 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 pay
ment of expenses not met by its current
revenues, Is not at all TO be likened 20 a
man living beyond his income and thus
incurring debt or encroaching on his
principal. IL is not one of the functions
OF our government to accumulate and
make additions TO fund not needed for
Immediate expenditure. With individuals
1t IL the chief object of a struggle and
effort. The application of an accumu-
lated fund by the government to the pay
ment of Its running expenses Is a duty.
An individual living beyond his income
and embarrassing himself with debt CT
drawing upon his accumulated fund of
principal. Is 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
for proper purposes all the money 1t re-
ceives from any source, and the indi-
vidual who is expected TO manifest nat
ural desire TO avoid debt or TO accumu-
late as much as possible and to live
within the income derived from such ac-
.f-.a A.al IAA IENW R.a