Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-12-08
THE PRESENT TARIFF LAW,

.sa Measure for Raising Revenue, II Has
Had No Fair Trial. But Has Proven Bet
ter Than Its Predecessor, While IL HAS
ia-t ell Benefited Consumers Ey Hc-
du.iuls Cost Of Living.
7 desire TO rocur TO the statements else
where made concerning the governments
receipts and expenditures for the pur-
pose of ventwing upon some suggestions
touching our present tariff law and its OPP
Grafton.
This statute took effect on the 2Sth day
of August. 1894. Whatever may be its
shortening as "a complete measure of
tariff. reform. it must be conceded that it
has opened the way to "a freer and greater
exchange Of commodities between us and
other countries. and thus furnished a wild
err market for our products and manufac-
lures.
The only entire fiscal year during which
this law has been in force ended on the
S0th day OF June, 1896 In that year our inn
ports increased over those of the previous
year more than $65OOOOO while the value
OF the domestic products we exported and
which found markets abroad was nearly
$4,000 coo more than during the preceding
year.
Those who insist that the cost to our
people Of articles coming to them from
abroad for their ncedful use should only
be Increased through tariff charges to an
extent necessary to meet the expenses Of
the government, as well as those who
claim that tariff charges may be laid upon
such articles beyond the necessities or
government revenue, with the additional
purpose of so increasing their price in our
markets as TO give American manufacture
ers and producers better and more profit
able opportunities must agree that our
tariff laws are only primarily justified as
sources Of revenue to enable the govern
ment to meet the necessary expenses of
its maintenance.
Considered as to sulicency in this as
pect. the present law can by no means
fan under just condemnation. During the
only complete fiscal year of its operation
II has yielded nearly SS0OO000 more reve-
nue. that vas received from tariff duties
I'm the preceding Year, There was never
theless. deficit between our receipts and
expenditures of more than S25.0oO000. This
however. was not unexpected. The situ-
ation was such in December last seven
months before the close of the fiscal year
that the Secretary of the Treasury lore
told deficiency of $1,000 600.
The great and increasing apprehension
and timidity i'm business circles and the
depression in all activities Intervening
since that time resulting from causes per-
f,ctlv we'll understood and entirely dis
connected with our tariff law or its opera
lions. seriously checked the imports we
world have otherwise received. and read
il,- account for the difference between this
estimate of the Secretary and the actual
deficiency, as we'll as for a continued de-
hciency.
Indeed it must he confessed that we
could hardly have had more unfavorable
period than the las. two ears for the col
lection of tariff revenue. We cannot reas-
onahlv hope that our recuperaton from
this business depression will be sudden.
bur il has already set in with a promise
of acceleration and continuance.
believe our present tariff law. II al
lowed a fair opportunity, Will in the near
future yield a revenue which, with reason
ably economical expenditures, Will over
come all deficiencies.
In the meantime. no deficit that has oc-
CURED or may occur need excite or dis
turb MS. To meet any such deficit We
have I'm the treasury. in addition TO a gold
reserve of one hundred millions, q sur
plus of moro than one hundred and TWEEN
ev-eicht millions Of dollars, applicable to
the payment Of the expenses of the gov
eminent. and which must, unless expend-
ed for that purpose remain n useless
hoard. or If not extravagantly wasted.
must in any event be perverted from the
rurpose of its exaction from our people.
The payment therefore. OF any deficiency
in the revenue from this fund IS nothing
moro than It's proper and legitimate use.
The government, thus applying a sur