Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1896-12-10
NEEDED LEGISLATION.
a Thorough Test of the Revenue Raising
Power shoulA ne Given


Power shouI6 BE Given.
Secretary Carlisle's discovery thai
revenue legislation is absolutely neces-
Fary to put the national finances in
sound condition is rather belated
Throughout the last session of con-
g-sss, when bonds were being sold to
the prodigious profit of millionaire
bankers for the maintenance of = gold
reserve which was systematically de.
pieted TO provide funds for the current
expenses of government, the secretary
stoutly insisted that no deficit in the
revenue existed, nor need any be feared.
Rev. John Jasper has not more pertina-
ciously preached his theory "the sun
do move" than did Secretary Carlisle
proclaim the solvency of the treasury
despite it's apparent bankruptcy. In
the face of this record, the secretary's
admission now that additional internal
revenue taxes will be necessary &c pro-
vide for the expenses of the govern
ment is tantamount to admission of
systematic Misrepresentation by him
in the past.
Seemingly it was mistaken idea
that to admit the failure of the Wilson
bill would be form of party disloyalty
which actuated Carlisle in his extraor-
binary course. The condition of the
treasury was so patent to all that his
repeated denials of any lack of money
were received with general incredulity
at the time, and are now made ridicu-
lous by his tardy confession. If, as
seems probable, the administration
feared the political effect of any suppIc-
mentary tariff legislation, it was sin
gulnrly ilI-adyised. Nothing in the
course of the past four years did more
TO develop that great force within the
democratic party which thrust out
Cleveland and Carlisle than the repeat
ed bond issues which the policy of mac
ton compelled.
II is rot probable that Mr.. Carlisle's
suggestion now for providing more rev
enue by laying more taxes on tea and
other articles of general consumption
will be needed. An expiring congress is
little apt to take up burdens which can
be left to it's successor. That the new
administration and the new congre IS
recently chosen cannot at once take
charge of the government is infer
tunate. The species of interregnum
which follows every presidential cleo
ton is invariably hurtful to business.
When the new congress shall assem-
ble-particularIy if Mckinley should
summon it Immediately upon his in
auguration-it will be the part of ~
triotism for democrats to refrain from
merely faetiOus opposition to revenue
measures. Suggestion has been made
that the silver senators repeat the eX-
plot of last winter, and defeat any tar
if measure which is not accompanied
by silver bill. Public sentiment
would infallibly condemn such a course.
The republican party, having gained
complete control of the government, is
entitled TO put its policy-which in this
year is definitely high protection and
gold monometallism--to the test. If it
yucceeds in reestablishing prosperity
through its administration of the state,
it will merit and receive the gratitude
of the citizens without distinction of
party. If it fails the people will turn
elsewhere for leaders. Meanwhile it
should be the policy of those in house or
senate who may disagree with the ma
jority to confine their opposition to the
usual parliamentary forms. disregard
ing wholly those devices which only
impede instead of directing legislation.
The verdict of November should be
given its fullest effect.-N. Y. Journal.