The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-05-03

Figures That Seem to Show an Amax-
ing Financial Prosperity.

The revenue returns issued last night
show that the chancellor Of the excheQuer.
SIR Michael Hicks-Beach. finds himself In
possession Of the magnificent surplus OF
e. e4e s4e--a condition OF national prosper
ity without parallel even in the memorable
year Of 1874. when Mr.. Gladstone. with a
prospective balance to the good OF f5.492,-
COO. offered, II he were returned to power.
to abolish the income tax.
These almost bewildering millions arc
made up, not Of advances in isolated items.
but OF q general growth in all the sources
of the country's income excepting the sim
gle item of miscellaneous" in which there
Is decrease of sss2. ls2. . matter OF no
special significance.
Alongside this notable expansion there
is a circumstance which should be borne
In mind. II the total increase Is SUM-
cient to dispsi all notions as to q deciin-
ing trade, IL is probably also clear. from
an analysis OF the figures, tina; we cannot
expect that the leaps and bounds Of the
past year can go on quite at the recent
pace The first quarter OF the financial
year was better than the corresponding
period OF the previous year by 500, $50;
then came the September quarter. with
the startling advance OF f3.s5s. ss. The
next three months indicated the same up
ward tendency, hut In less emphasized
degree. with a net increase upon the last
term of 1885. amounting 10 e. se4.e19 This
superb but stili relatively receding incre-
meut fosterei a disposition in the public
mind to rest and be thankful 50 tina. IL
Will not be disappointed to End the in
crease up 10 March 81 dropping to Il IS 57l
Nothing tells more pointediy the tale OF
the marvellous expansion OF our trade than
the necessity OF speaking OF a million and
a quarter In an apparently ceprec.ating
or apologize tone.
Nor is it that this result has followed
anything Ike great expectations" On
the contrary. Sir William HARBOUR; count
ed only upon being master Of the modest
sum Of fiseeo at the years end. ana this
It VIII be remembered. he could only attain
by increased taxation. The late chancel-
Tor wanted two millions which sum, Add
ed 20 the estimated expenditure. would
have left deficit OF f3Ca 60 In order IA
balance his accounts he retained the ex-
ira beer duty and gave up the sptri, duty.
an imperial option" which offended En-
r'isn farmers while It temporarily pleased
the Irish members
Thus the tzaaeos Of additional OUTLAY
and the Deficit which the beer 6nty was
meant to cover have nos oniy Seey, yiped
out. but Mr.. Goschen's coraprehsnsfve
programme for Strengthening the navy.
Sir John Gorst's plan for aiding voluntary
schools. and Mr.. ChapIin's prospective as
sassAHc@ 70 akFseAiiere fasT possibly all
be met without exhaasting the rrea, re-
serve fund
The revenue OF the year reached TIA
grand total OF fins. - 49, Of which u ~
III xzs pad osst in aid OF local taxation
A good deal has been said during the
past year about new competitors spring.
ing Up. especially in Asia. to seize our
markets Bgs the revenue returns GER
t&inly do no; show that We are SUFFERING
from any diminuticE La the volume OF our
trade. however much the profits earned
In particular Industries may have bean
Affected " trA3s EAa1S the exchange ee