Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1896-12-17
THE TARIFF QUESTION.
Suggestions Touching the Present I
and Its Operations

Suggestions Touching the Present Law
and Hts Operations.
desire to recur to the statements elsewhere
made concerning the governments receipts
and expenditures for the purpose of venturing
upon some suggestions touching our present
tariff Law and It's operation.
This statute took effect on the 18th day OF
August, 1884. Whatever may be its Shortcom-
iHgs as complete measure of tariff reform. it
must be conceded that 1t has opened the way
to freer and greater exchange Of eommodi-
ties between the United States and other
countries, and thus furnished q wider market
for our products and manufacturers. The only
entire fiscal year during which this law has
been enforced ended on the S0th day Of June,
1895 In that year our imports increased over
those of the previous year more than Sd. 500 eco,
while the value of domestic products we ex-
ported and which found markets abroad. was
nearly S7oG0O.0O0 more than during the pre-
ceGing year.
of articles coming to them from abroad for
their needful use should only be increased
through tarin 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
additional purpose OF so increasing their price
In our markets as to give American manufac-
turers and producers better ana more profita-
bic 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. Con-
sidered as to its sun1ciency in this aspect the
present law can by no means fall under Just
fiscal year of its operation it has yielded near
" sS0Oo,O0O more revenue than was received
from tariff duties in the preceding year. There
was, nevertheless, deficit between our re-
ce1pts and expenditures of a little more than
Sc, 100000. 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 def
cheney of ST.. 100000.
The great and increasing apprehension and
tlmldity in business circles, and the depression
In all activities intervening since that time re-
suitIng from causes perfectly well understood
and entirely disconnected with our tariff law
or Its operation, seriously checked the imports
we would have otherwise received, and readily
account for the difference between this
deficiency, well as for a continued
could hardly have had more uDfavorable Pc
Rod than the last two years for the collection
OF tarln revenue. We can not reasonably hope
that our recuperation from this business de-
preston will be sudden, but ii has already set
IN with promise of acceleration and continu-
ace ,a oeeYe our present. EN- tari4 law AL
ture, yield revenue which, with reasonably
economical expenditures, will overcome all de-
hciencieS.
Need Not Excite or Disturb Us.
In the meantime no deficit that has occurred
or may occur need excite or disturb US. To
tioR to a gold reserve of ST. 100000. surplus
Of more than 5000. 600 applicable to the pay
ment OF the expenses OF the government, and
which must. unless expended for that purpose.
remain useless hoard; or. IL not extravaganza
IL wasted, must in any event be perverted from
the purpose of its exaction from our people.
The payment, therefore, of any deficiency in
the revenue from this fund is nothing more
than its proper and legitimate use.
Matter of Supreme Importance.
I suppose it VIII not be denied that under
the present law our people obtain the neces-
Sartes OF a comfortable existence at a cheaper
rate than formerly. This is a matter of supreme
Importance, since it is the ralpable duty OF
every just government to make the burdens Of
taxation as light as possible. The people
should not be required to relnqUish this
privilege OF cheaper living except under the
plainly manifest.