Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1896-12-12
THE TARIFF QUESTION.
Suggestions Touching tho Present L,
nd - nn.r.tN.-.

"
and It's Operations
Idesire to recur to the statements elsewhere
made concerning the governments receipts
and expenditures for the purpose Of venturing
upon some suggestions touching our present
tarIG law and its operation.
Ihis statute took efect on the 18th day OF
August, 1894, Whatever may be It's skortccnr-
ings as complete measure OF tariff reform. IL
must be conceded that 1t has opened the way
TO freer and greater exchange OF commodi-
ties between the United States and other
countries. and thus furnished o wider market
Tor our products and manufacturers. The only
entire fiscal year during which this law has
been enforced ended on the Both day OF june
1891 In that year our imports increased over
those OF the previous year more than $500, 600
while the value OF domestic products we cx-
ported. and which found markets abroad, was
nearly S7OOOO,OOO more than during the pre-
cedlng 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 tarih charges to an extent necessary
to meet the expenses Of the government, as
well as those who clnim that tariff charges
may be laid upon such articles beyond the
necessities OF government revenue and with the
additional purpose OF SO increasing their price
In our markets as to give American manufac-
turers and producers better ana more profta-
BILE 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 Con.
sidered as to Its sullicency In this aspect, the
present law can by no means fall under Just
condemnation. During the only complete
fiscal year Of Its operation 1t has yielded near
ly tS.0O0,0O0 more revenue than was received
from tariff duties in the preceding year, There
was, nevertheless, deficit between our re-
celpts and expenditures OF little more than
SSo,OVO.0OO. 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 def
cheney Of $17,0OO,0O0
timldity In business circles, and the depression
IN oil activities intervening since that time re-
sultlng 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 tho difference between this
estimate OF the secretary and the actual
deficiency, as well as for q continued
deficit. Indeed, 1t must be confessed that we
could hardly have had II more unfavoruble pc
riod than the last two years for the collection
OF tariff revenue. Wecan not reasonably hope
that our recuperation from this business de-
preston will be sudden, hut it has already set
In with a promise Of acceleration and continue
ance. L believe our present tariff law, II al-
lowed fair opportunity. will, In tho near fu-
ture, yield revenue which, with reasonably
economical expenditures, will overcome all do
lciencies.
Noeu NOt LkClIe OF Dl6tuTD Us.
In the meantime no deficit that has occurred
or may occur need excite or disturb us. TO
meet any such deficit In the treasury, In addi-
tion to gold reserve of 81 O,000. 900, @ surplus
of more than SIPS zoo, 900 applicable to the pay
ment OF the expenses Of the government, and
which must, unless expended for that purpose,
remain useless hoard; or, II not extravagant.
ly wasted, must ia any event be perverted from
the purpose of its hxaotiun from cur people.
Aae payA - therefore, OF any dcncleney n
the revenue from this fund Is nothing more
than It's proper and legitimate use.
4 Mater ot supreme Importance.
l suppose Il VIII not be deuied that under
the present law our people obtain the necess
saries OF comfortable existence a. a cheaper
rate than formerly. This is matter OF supreme
Importance, since it is the palpable duty OF
every Just government to make the burdens Of
taxation as light rs possible. The people
should not be required to relinQuish this
privilege OF cheaper living except under the
stress OF their governments necessity made
,,In i,lx, Cast