Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-12-10
THE TARIFF.
He Relieves That the Wilson Bitl
Should BE GiNen q Better TrinI

| desire TO recuF to the statements else
where made concerning the governments
receipts and expenditures for the purpose
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 its short
conings as a complete measure OF tariff
reform. il must be conceded that IL has
opened the way 10 q freer and greater eX-
change OF commodities between US and
other countries and thus furnished a wider
market for our products and manufactur-
ing.
The only entire fiscal year during which
this law has been in force ended on tue
Both day OF June, 1896. In that year our
imports increased over those Of the previous
year more than $G.30O,DGO, while the value
Of the domestic products we exported and
which found markets abroad was nearly
$I0,c0D,D9 iaeEe 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 ex-
tent necessary 10 meet the expenses Of the
government. as well as those who claim
that tariff charges may be laid upon such
articles beyond the necessities Of govern
ment revenue. and with the additional pur-
pose Of SO increasing their price in our
markets as to give American rianafactur-
ers and producers better aud 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 sufticiency in this
aspect, the present law can by no means
fall under just condemnation, During the
only complete fiscal year OF its operation It
has yielded nearly $S.o00,0O0 more revenue
than was received from tariff duties In the
nraraHinR VA1F TharA WAS nANAFfhAla-Z n
a deficit between our receipts and expen-
ditures OF Il little more than $25.000.0o0.
This, however, was not unexpected.
The situation was such In December, sew
en- months before the close Of the fiscal
year, that the secretary OF the treasury
foretold a deficiency of ST.. 0OD.0oO. The
great aud increasing apprehension and tim
idity in business circles and the depression
In all activities Intervening since that time,
resulting from causes perfectly Well under
stood and entirely disconnected with our
tariff law or its operation. seriously checked
the imports We would have otherwise re-
ceiyed, aud readily accounted for the diff
ference between the estimate OF the score
tary and the actual deficiency. as well as for
a continued deficit. Indeed. II mast be con.
fessed that we could hardly have had a
more unfavorable period than the last two
years for the collection OF tariff revenue.
We cannot reasonably hope that our recu-
~ - thto Aftit VIII
be sudden but it has already set in, with a
promise Of acceleration and continuance. |
believe our present tariff law IL allowed 4
fair opportunity. will, in the near future.
yield a revenue which. with reasonable
economical expenditures, will overcome all
defieiencins. In the meanti1Ie, no deficit
that has occurred or may occur need excite
or disturb us.
To meet any such deficis we have in the
treasury. in addition to a gold reserve OF
800, 0O0, 600, a surplus OF more than SIPS
O0O.000 applicable to the payment of the ex-
penses OF the government. and which must.
unless expended for that purpose. remain a
useless hoard. or. IL nor extravagantly
wasted, must in any event be perverted
from the purpose OF its exactl0n from our
people. The payment, therefore Of any
deficiency Of revenue from this fund. Is
nothing but its proper and legitimate use.
The government thus applying a surplus.
fortunately in its treasury. to the payment
OF expenses not met by its current revenues.
is not az all TO be iikenei to "a man living
beyond his income. and thus mourning debt
or encroaching on his principal. II Is not
one of the functions Of our government to
accumulate and make additions TO q fund
not needed for immediate expenditure.
With individuals. IL Is the chief object of
Struggle aud effort. The application OF an
accumulated fund by the government TO the
pay ment OF It's running expenses Is a duty.
An individual living beyond his income aud
embarrassing himself with debt. or drawing
upon his accumulated fund of principal. is
either unfortunate or imp-ovident. The dis
~tinction Is between a government charged
with the duty of expcnding. for the benefit
OF the people. and for proper purposes. all
the money IL receives from any source. aud
the individual who Is expected TO manifest
a natural desire TO avoid debt or TO accu-
mulate as much as possible and to live with
In the Income derived from such accumula-
tions, 10 the end that they may be in
creased or at least remain animpaired for
the future use and enjoyment OF himself
and the objects of his love aud affection
who may survive him.
1t Is immeasurably better to appropriate
our surplus to the payment OF justiiabie
expenses THAN TO allow it TO become an in
v~itation to reckless appropriations and
extravagant expenditures. | suppose that
IL will not be denied that under the present
law our people obtain the necessaries of q
comfortable existence at a cheaper rate
than formerly. This Is a matter OF SUI
preme Importance. since IL Is the palpable
duty of every Just government to make the
burdens OF taxation as light as possible.
The people should not be required 10 relin-
uuish their privilege of cheap living except
under the stress OF their governments ne
cessity made plainly manifest.