The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1896-12-18
THE TARIFF IF
He Believes That the Wilson Bill
Should Be Given q Better Trial,


receipts and expenditures for the purpose
Of venturing upon some suggestions touching
our present tariff law aud Its operation.
This statute took effect on the 18th day Of
August, 1894. Whatever may be its short
comings as complete measure Of tariff
reform. 1t must be conceded that 1t has
opened the way to freer and greater ex.
other countries and thus furnished q wider
market for our products and manufactur-
ing.
The only entire fiscal year during which
this law has been In force ended on tine
Both day Of June, 1896. In that year our
imports increased over those Of the previous
year more than $8.5OO,OCO, while the value
Cf the domestic products we exported and
which found markets abroad was nearly
$10,O0O,OO0 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 tarlff charges 10 an cx-
tent 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 govern
ment revenue, and with the additional pur-
pose of SO increasing their price in orr
markets as to give American manufacture
crs and producers better and moro profitable
laws are OILY primarily justified as sources
of revenue to enable the government to.mcct
the necessary expenses Of its maintenance.
Considered as to Its suf1ciency 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.OO0,O00 more revenue
than was received from tariff duties in the
preceding year. There was, nevertheless.
a deficit between our receipts and expcn-
dftures of little more than $25. 600.
This. however, was not unexpected. ="
The situation was such In December, sew.
en- months before the close of the fiscal
foretold deficiency of $17,OOO,OOO. The
great and increasing pprehension and tim
idity In business circ,es 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-
ceived, and readily accounted for the diff
ference between the estimate of the secre-
tary and the actual deficiency. as we'll as for
a continued deficit. Indeed, 1t must be con
fessed that we could hardly have had
more unfavorable period than the last two
years for the collection of tariff revenue.
We cannot reasonably hope that our recu-
peraticn from this business depression will
be sudden: but 1t has already set in, with
promise Of accelcrati0n and continuance.
believe our present tarlff law. II allowed
fair opportunity, will, In the near future.
Yield q revenue wish. With reasonable
ded:.snc..s, In the meantime. no deficit
that IL. occurred or may occur need cvcita
or disturb us. ls
To meet any such deficit We have In the
treasury, In addition to a gc.i Reserve Of
$lOO. 100000. surplus Of more than $685.
100000 applicable to the payment of the ex-
penscs of the government. and which must,
unless expended for that purpose. remain a
useless hoard, or, II not extravagaMtly
wasted. must in any event be perverted
from the purpose of its exactlOn 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 surplus.
fortunately In its treasury, to the payment
Of expenses not met by Its current revenues.
Is not at all to be likened to q man living
beyond his income, and thus mourning debt
or encrOachtng on his principal. 1t Is not
one Of the functions Of our government to
not needed for immediate expenditure.
With individuals. 1t Is the chief object of
struggle and effort The application OF an
accumulated fund by the government to the
Payment OF Its running expenses is a duty.
An individual living beyond his income aud
upon his accumulated fund of principal, is
either unfortunate or imp:ovident. The dis
tinction Is between government charged
with the duty Of expanding, for the benefit
Of the people. and for proper purposes, oil
the money 1t receives from any source. and
the individual who is expected to manifest
natural desire to avoid debt or to accu-
mulate as much as possible and to live with
in the income derived from such accumula-
lions, to the end that they may be in.
creased or Mt least remain unlmpalred for
the future use and enjoyment Of himself
and the objects Of his love and affection
who may survive him.
1t IL UNNECESSARILY better to appropriate
our surplus to the payment Of justinable
expenses than to allow It to become an In.
vitation to reckless appropriations and
extravagant expenditures. suppose that
It will, not be denied that under the present
law our people obtain the necessaries Of q
comfortable existence at q cheaper rate
than formerly. This Is a matter Of SUI
preme importance, since 1t is the palpable 4
duty Of every Just government to make the
burdens Of taxation rs light as possible.
The people should not be required to relin.
Quish their privilege Of cheap living except
under the stress Of their government,1 ne.
cesslty made plainly manifest
3, (. FINANCIAL REFORM.
Congress 10 AEain Urgently Renues.
ted to Take Action. I'M
This reference to the condition and pros.
poets Of our revenues naturally suggests an
allusion to the weakness and vices OF our
financial methods. They have been FIRE.
quently pressed upon the attention Of con.
gress In previous executive communications.
and the inevitalle danger OF their contln-
ued toasration pointed out. Without new 70.