Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1896-12-11


scheme through which they receive their
appointments demands from them by
way of reciprocity non-partisan and faith
full performance Of duty under every adj
ministration, and cheerful fidelity to
every chief. While they should be en-
couraged to decently exercise their rights
Of citizenship and to support through
their suffrages the political beliefs they
honestly profess. the noisy, pestilent and
partisan employe who loves political tur-
MOL and contention, or who renders lax
and grudging service to an administra-
tion not representing his political views.
should be promptly and fearlessly dealt
with in such way as to furnish a warn
ing to others who may be likewise dis
posed.
THE TARIFF
desire to recur to the statements else
where made concerning the governments
receipts and expenditures for the pur-
pose of venturing upon some suggestions
touching our present tariff law and it's
operation. This statute took effect on the
18th day Of August, 1894. Whatever may
be its shortcomings as a complete meas
ure Of tariff reform, 1t must be conceded
that 1t has opened the way to q freer
and greater exchange OF commodities be-
tween us and other countries and thus
furnished a wider market for our pro-
ducts and manufactures.
The only ire fiscal year during which
this Law A4< been in force ended on June
3d. 1891 In that year our imports in
creased over those Of the previous year
more than Sc. 5000 while the value of
the domestic products exported and which
found markets abroad was nearly $1,000
900 more 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
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
OF government revenue and with the ad-
ditional purpose of so increasing their
price in our markets as to 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 sufflciency in this aspect the
present law can by no means fall under
just condemnation. During the only COM
plete fiscal year of its operation, II has
yielded nearly 5000 900 more revenue than
was received from tariff duties in the
preceding year. There was, nevertheless,
deficit between our receipts and ex-
penditures of a little more than $25, Co.,
900. 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 deficiency of 81, 900 OO0
The great and increasing apprehension
and timidity In business circles and the
depression In all activities intervening
since that time, resulting from causes
perfectly well understood and entirely
disconnected with our tariff law or fits
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. it must be
confessed that we could hardly have had
more unfavorable period than the last
two years for the collection of tariff rev.
enue. We cannot reasonably hope that
our recuperaton from this business de-
preston will be sudden, but 1t has al
ready set in with a promise of accelera-
ton and continuance.
believe our present tariff law, II al
lowed a fair opportunity, will in the near
future yield a 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 a gold reserve
OF S10O. OOO, 900. suplus of more
than $12S, 0O0, 900. applicable to the pay
ment Of the expenses of the government,
and which must, unless expended for that
purpose. remain a useless hoard, or, IL
not extravagantly wasted must In any
event be perverted from the purpose of
Its exaction from our people. The pay
mSnt, therefore, of any deficiency in the
revenue from this fund is nothing more
than its proper and legitimate use.
1t is immeasurably better to appropriate
our surplus to the payment of justifable
expenses than to allow 1t to become an
Invitation to reckless appropriations and
expenditures. 1 suppose 1t
will not be denied that under the present
hw our people obtain the necessaries of
comfortable existence at a cheaper rate
than formerly. This is a matter of su-
preme Importance, since It is the palpablO
auty OF every lust government to make
the burden VI taxation as light as pos
Iible. The people should not be required
to relinquish this privilege OF cheaper
living except under the stress OF their
necessity made plainly
THE CURRENCY.
am more convinced than ever that we
can have no assured financial peace and
safety until the government currency OBJ
legation upon which gold may be de-
manded from the treasury are withdrawn
from circulation and cancelled. This
might be done, as has been heretofore
recommended, by their exchange for long
term bonds bearing low rate OF inter
est or by their redemption with the pro-
ceeds of such bonds. Even II only the
United States notes known as greenbacks
were thus retired, 1t is probable that the
treasury notes issued in payment Of sill
yer purchases under the act of July IA,
1890. now paid in gold when demanded
would not create much disturbance, as
they might from time to time, when re-
ceived in the treasury by redemption In
gold or otherwise. be gradually and pru-
IDENTIFY replaced by silver coin.
This plan OF issuing bonds for the pur-
pose OF redemption certainly appears to
b the most effective and direct path to
the needed reform. In defaJ\ OF this.
however. Il would be a sts-3nSs ri"l'
Sb1s ~ HoId currency eka. Kan, are
be cancelled insteag Topeka Journal
This operation woyto have horse
but II would lmprdtne.