The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1896-12-18
THE TARIFY QUESTION.
Suggestions Touching the Present Law
and It's OperatAona.

Idcsire 10 reour 10 the statements elsewhere
made concerning the governments receipts
and expenditures for the purpose OF venturing
upon some suggestions touching our present
tarin law and its operation
This statute took effect on the 2sth day OF
August. 1894. Whatever may be ~ shortcom-
ings as a complete measure OF tariff reform. It
must be conceded that II has opened the way
TO freer and greater exchange Of commodi-
ties between the United states aud other
countries, and thus furnished wider market
for our products and manufacturers The only
entire fiscal year during when TINS law mas
been enforced ended on the 3Oth day or June.
1880 In that year our imports Increased over
those OF the previous year more than SoJOv,UVO,
while the value OF domestic products we ex-
ported. ana which found markets abroad. was
nearly s;O.Vo0,OOO more than during the pre-
cedlus year.
OF articles coming 10 them from abroad Tor
| their ncedful use should only he Increased
| through tarir charges TO an extent necessary
| TO meet tho expenses OF the govcrnm, mt as
| well as those who claim that tariff charges
may be laid upon such articles beyond tho
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 prohta-
BILE opportunities. must agree that our tarin
| laws are only primarily 1ustined as sources OF
| revenue To enable the government TO meet the
necessary expenses OF its maintenance. Con-
siderod as 10 it's sufficency In this aspect. the
| present law can by no means fall under Just
| condemnation During the only complete
fiscal year Of It's operation IL has yielded near.
| ly xS.UpO,OOU more revenue tnan was recSiNco
from tariff duties in the preceding year. There
| was nevertheless, a deficit between our re-
ceipts and expenditures OF little more than
SIS 600 900. 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 a DELL
cheney OF Sl7 100000.
Need Not Excite or Disturb Us.
In the meantime no deficit that has occurred
! or may occur need excite or disturb US. Ie
| meet any such deficit In the treasury, In addi-
tion to a gold reserve OF al 0oo0,po surplus
| OF more than sl2s ,c00.0 600 applicable to the pay
ment Of the expenses Of the government, snt
| which must. unless expended for that purpose
| remain useless hoard; or. II not extrav agant
ly wasted. must In any event be perverted frou
the purpose OF its exaction from our people
. | The payment. therefore. of any deficiency II
the revenue from this fund Is nothing NOR
! than its proper and legitimate use.
A Matter of supreme Importance.
! suppose IL will not be denied that unde
. the present law our people obtain the neces
d, | saries of a comfortable existence at eheape
y | rate than formerly. This is a matter OF suprem
= importance. since it is the palpaole duty {
; | every Just government to make the burdens {
taxation as light possible. The peopl
should not be required to relinquish tn
| privilege OF cheaper living except under n
C stress OF their governments necessity mad
y | MAINLY manifest.