The Wichita daily eagle., 1896-12-08
TARIFF AND REVENUE.

TARIFF AND REVENUE.
/ desire TO recur to the statements else
where made concerning the governments
receipts and expenditures for the Per
pose OF venturing upon some suggestions
touching our present tariff law and It's
operation
This statute took effec, or the eSth day
OF August. 1894 Whatever may be its
shortcomings as a complete measure OF
tariff reform. i, must be conceded that II
has opened the way 20 freer and great
CT exchange Of commodities between rs
and other countries and thus furnished
a wider market for our produce AID
manufactures
The only entire fiscal year during
which this law has been in force. ended
the sOth day of June, 1885. In that year
our imports increased over those OF pre-
vious wears more than s65. 900 .0oo, while
the value OF the domestic products ex-
ported and which found markets abroad,
was nearly SIC. ZOO 900 more than during
the preceding year
NEVERTHELESS. A DEFICIT.
Those who insist that the cost 10 our
people OF articles coming 10 them from
abroad for their needful use should only
be increased through tariff 10 an extent
necessary TO meet the expenses OF the
government as well as those who claim
that tariff changes may be laid upon
such articles beyond the necessities or
government revenue, and with the addi-
tional purpose OF so increasing their
price in our markets as 10 give Amer
lean manufacturers and producers bet
ter and more profitable opportunities.
must agree that our tariff laws are only
primarily justified as measures OF reve-
nue., to enable the government 70 meet
the necessary expenses of its mainten-
ance Considered as 10 its sufiiciency IN
this aspect the present law can by no
means fall under just condemnation.
During the only complete fiscal year OF
its operation 1t has yielded nearly sS.-
00o, 900 more revenue than was received
from tariff duties In the preceding year.
There was nevertheless q deficit be-
tween our receipts and expenditures OF a
little more than 81. .o00. 600.
DEFICIT EXPLAINED.
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 deficiency OF s17.-
600. 600 The great and increasing appre-
hension and timidity In business circles
and the depression in all activities inter-
vening since that time. resulting from
causes perfectly well understood and en-
tirely disconnected with our tariff law
or its operation. seriously checked the
imports we would have otherwise receiv-
ed and readily account for the difference
between this estimate OF the secretary
and the actual deficiency, as well as FOR
q continued deficit
BUSINESS IS BETTER
Indeed. it must be confessed that we
could hardly have had a more unfsvora-
BILE period than the last two years for
the collection OF tariff revenue. We can
not reasonably hope that our recuper-
alton from the business depression will
be sudden, but it has already set In, with
! a promise OF acceieration and continu-
ance. / believe our present tariff Law, II
allowed a fair opportunity, will in fut.
urc yield revenue which, with reason
| able economical expenditures, will over.
come ell defiicites.
CLEVELAND'S WAY OUT.
| In the meantime, no deficit that has oc.
| CURED or may occur need excite or dis
turb US. To meet any such deficit ne
have in the treasury. In addition 20 a
gold reserve of sl00. 900, 900. a surplus OF
more than sl2s. 600 900 applicable TO pay.
ment of the expenses of the government
and which must, unless expended FOL
that purpose. remain a useless hoard
or. If not extravagantly wasted. must
| in any event be perverted from the pur.
pose OF Its exaction from people. The
payment. therefore, of any deficiency In
the revenue from this fund Is nothing
more than its proper and legitimate use
NOT rrPvTNf. 1-n GET pICE
The government. thus applying a sur
plus, fortunately IN its treasury. TO ths
payment Of expenses not met by It's cur
rent revenues. is not at all 10 be iken,
ed to a man living beyond his income
and thus mourning debt or decrease In
| his principal. It is not one OF the func-
| tions OF our government 10 accumulate
! and make additions to funds not need
/ ed for immediate expenditure. With in.
dividuals II is the chief object OF strug.
gle. The application OF that accumulat.
| ed fund by the government 10 the pay.
ment OF its running expenses is a duty
| Ap individual living beyond his income
and embarrassing himself with debt OF
drawing on his accumulated fund oi
principal is either unfortunate or I'm.
provident. The distinction IS between q
government charged with duty OF ex
4
| for proper purposes all the money IL re.
ceives from any source, and the ind!vid
ual who is expected 20 manifest a mar.
ural desire 20 avoid debt or 10 accumu
late as much "a possible and 70 Nv'
within the income derived from such ac
cumulatiOns % the end that they mas
| be increased or at least remain unim
I paired for the future use and enjoyment
OF himself or the objects OF his love and
| affection who may survive him
Il is immeasurzbly better 20 appro
pirate our Surplus 10 the payment OF Jus
| tifiable expenses than - allow Il 20 Be
come an invitation 10 reckless approprsa
tons and extrayagart expenditures.
| / suppose that Il will not Be denied tha
under the present law our peop.s obtair
| the necessarles os a comfortable exist
! ence at cheaper rate than formerly
/ This Is a matter OF supreme importance
since II Is the paipabie duty Of every jus
government 70 make the burdens of tar
alton as light as possible. The psoph
| should not be required ID reiinquish thA
privilege OF cheaper living excsD; unc@
| the stress OF t,eir governments necessity
made plainly manifest
NATIONAL FINANCES.
n