Mexico weekly ledger., 1896-12-10
THE TARIFF QUESTION.
Suggestions Touching the Present Ia
and Its Operations.

and It's Operations.
/ desire to recur to the elsewhere
made concerning the governmen.'s receipts
upon some suggestions touching our present
tariff law and It's operation.
This statute took effect on the 28th day OF
August, 1894, Whatever may be Its shortcom-
ings as q complete measure OF tariff reform, It
must be conceded that 1t has opened the way
ties between tho United States and other
countries. and thus furnished o wider market
entire fiscal year during which this law has
been enforced ended on the Both day OF June.
those Of the previous year more than ss'soo Dsst
while the value of domestic products we ex-
ported, and which found markets. abroad. was
nearly s7o,0oo,oo more than during the pre-
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 tariff charges to on extent necessary
to meet the expenses Of the government, as
may be laid upon such articles. beyond the
necessities of government revenue, and with the
additional purpose of so increasing their prizes
turers and producers better and more proata-
laws are only primarily iustihed as sources Of
necessary expenses OF its maintenance. Con-
sidered as to Its suficiency In this aspect, the
eondemnation. Daring The only Complete
fiscal year OF its operation 1t has yielded near
ly SS,o0.OO0 more revenue than was received
was, nevertheless. o deficit between our re-
oeipts and expenditures OF q little more than
$1,000 Sg;9ts;,o Th ms however owe er was not unexpected.
months before the close Of the fiscal year, that
the secretary Of the treasury foretold q def
!; The great and Increasing apprehensioa and
timidity In business circles. and the depression
In all activities intervening since that time, re-
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
estimate Of the secretary and the actual
deficiency, as well as for Q continued
could hardly have had q more unfavorsbie pc
Rod than the last two years for the collection
Of tarir revenue; we can no. reasonably hope
preston will be sudden. but IL has already set
in with a promise OF acceleration and ~continu-
lowed q fair Opportunity. viii. in a'i the sa near r f s.-
ture, yield q revenue which, with reasonably
economical expenditures. will overcome all de-
Need Not Excite or Disturb Us.
In the meantime no deficit that has occurred
or may occur need excite or disturb us. To
ton to q gold reserve Of 900. q surplus
OF more than &f2s ,000. 600 applicable 70 the paw
msnt Of the expenses Of the government. and
remain a useless hoard; or. II not extravaeant,
ly wasted, must In any event be perverted from
Viz Pun OoC " 10 0NhCLlDM lTDm Uut ptQDlE.
The payment, therefore,. Of any defcteney In
the revenue from this fund is nothing more
than It's proper and legitimate use.
Tue government thus applying Q suplus for-
penses not met by Its current revenues. IL not
at all to be llkened to o man living beyond his
Income. and thus fncurring debt or encroach-
Ing upon his principal IL Is not one Of the
snd make additiort 10 o fund not needed for i'm
mediate expenditure. with individuals it Is
the chief oojeet Of struggle and effort.
Tune Tune asSp 81 .Se Sdver nm s''a q .ss
payment Of its running Expenses is q duty.
An Individual living beyond income. and en-
barrassing himself with debtor drawing on his
fortunate or improvident
The distinction is between o government
charged with the duty Of expending for the
benefit Of the people and tor proper purpose
individual who Is expected to manifest o
natural desire to avoid debt. or 20 accumulate
as much rs possible. 70 I've within the income
derived from such Accommodations, 10 the end
that they may be increased. orr ~ least remain
unimpaired. for the future use Of himself OF
the objects OF his love and affection who may
/. is immsasurably better 70 appropriate our
sSaD Us e sil sns q q Ssc q ,ss al ISs,: ssPsn's e
pendftures.
A Matter of Supreme Impo~tancr.
/ suppose Il VIII not be denied that under
ohe prssent iAv or pecpla obtain the neces-
saries of conlfostable existence at . cheaper
Importance. since IL q the paipable dnty OF
every Just governments 70 make the burdens Of
taxation IS light On possible. The people
should not be required 70 relinquish this
privilege OF cheaper living except under the
stress % their governments necessity made