The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1896-12-11

way as to furnish a warning 20 Others
who may be likewise disposed.
The annual report of the commissioner
Will be duly transmitted, and 1 commend
to the careful consideration of the con
gress.
Interstate Commerce.
The interstate commerce commission has
dencee of its usefulness and the importance
OF the work committed to its charge. Pub
lie transportation Is q universal necessity
changes therefor has become of vital i'm.
portance, not only to shippers and carriers.
but also to the vast multitude of producers
the principles embodied in the existing law
passed for the purpose of regulating these
charges are everywhere conceded, and there
appears to be no question that the policy
thus entered upon has a permanent place
In our legislation. AS the present statute
when enacted was, In the nature or the
case, more or less tentative and expert
mental, 1t was hardly expected to supply
a complete and adequate system. While
its wholesome effects are manifest and have
amply justified it's enactment, 1t is evil
dent that all desired reforms in transporta-
ton methods have not been fully accom-
plished.
In view Of the judicial Interpretation
which some provisions of this statute nave
received, and the defects disclosed by the
efforts made for its enforcement It's re-
vision and amendment appear to be essen
lldi 10 the emu lIdl IL htOiO ShSStNoA.J
reach the evils more desired to be correct
ed. / hope the recommendations of the
commission upon this subject VIII be
promptly and favorably considered by the
Operations of the Tariff Law.
desire to recur to the statements else
where made concerning the governments
receipts and expenditures for the purpose
of venturing upon some suggestions touch
Ing our present tariff law and its opera
ton. This statute took effect on the 18th
day of August, 1894. Whatever may be Its
shortcomings as complete measure Of
tariff reform 1t must he conceded that 1t
has opened the way to a freer and greater
exchange of commodities between us and
other countries and thus furnished a
wider market for our products and manu-
featuring.
The only entire fiscal year during which
this law has been In force ended on the both
day of June 1896. In that year our imports
increased over those of the previous year
more than $4,000, 000 while the value of the
domestic products we exported and which
found markets abroad, WAS nearly S70,-
o00, 900 more than during the preceding year.
Cannot Justly BE Condemned.
Those who insist that the cost to cur
people of articles coming to them from
abroad for their needful use should only
be increased through tariff charges to an
extent necessary to meet the expenses OF
claim that tariff charges may be laid upon
such articles beyond the necessities Of gov
eminent revenue, and with the additional
purpose or SO increasing their price in our
as to give American manufacture
ers and producers better and more profit
able opportunities, must agree that our
tariff laws are only primarily justified as
sources or revenue to enable the govern
ment to meet the necessary expenses Of it's
Considered as to it's suffi-
cheney In this aspect, the present law can
by no means fall under just condemnation.
During the only complete fiscal year of
ts operation 1t has yielded nearly SIS, 00O, 900
more revenue than was received from
in hn linz
was, nevertheless. q deficit between our
receipts and expenditures of little more
han $25,OoO,OOO. This, however, was not
unexpected.
Depression Not Due to tho Law.
The situation was such in December,
seven months before the close of the fiscal
'ear, that the secretary of the treasury
oretold deficiency of 100000. The great
ma increasing apprehension and tmidity
n business circles, and the depression in
LII activities intervening since that time,
esulting from causes. perfectly well under
tood and entirely disconnected with our
ariff law or it's operation, seriously
checked the imports we would have other
wise received and readily account for the
Inference between this estimate of the
secretary and the actual deficiency, as
veil as for q continued deficiency. Indeed
must be confessed that we could hardly
AVE had more unfavorable period than
he last two years for the collection of
arin revenue.
Believes 1t Will Prove q Success.
We cannot reasonably hope that our re-
operation from this business depression
will be sudden, but it has already set in
With promise of acceleration and continu-
nee. 1 believe our present tariff law, If
flowed fair opportunity. will in the near
uture yield revenue which, with reasona-
ly economical expenditures, will overcome
II deficiencies. In the meantime, no deficit
hat has occurred or may occur need excite
r disturb us.
Use of the Reserve Lawful,
To meet any such deficit we have in the
reasury, in addition to gold reserve or
100000, a surplus of more than $12S,OOO,-
70 applicable to the payment of the eX-
enses of the government and which must, |
useless hoard, or, If not extravagantly |
asted, must in any event be perverted |
'om the purpose of its exacrion from our |
eople. The payment, therefore, OF any de-
cheney in the revenue from this fund is |
othing more than it's proper and legiti-
late use.
Government Not Like an Individual.
The government, thus applying a surplus
expenses not met by its current reve-
les, is not at all to be likened to man |
wing beyond his income and thus insuring
Of one of the functions of our government
accumulate and make additions to a
Ind not needed for immediate expendi-
ct of struggle and effort. The applica-
on of an accumulated fund by the gov
nment to the payment OF Its running eX-
enses Is a duty. An individual living be-
md his income and embarrassing himself
it'll debt or drawing upon his accumu-
ted fund of principal Is either unfortu-
ate or improvident. The distinction is
,tween a government charged with the
ity- of expanding for the benefit of the
.ople, and for proper purposes, all the
oney II receives from any source, and
70 individual who Is expected to manifest
natural desire to avoid debt or to ac-
lmulate as much as possible, and to live
thin the income derived from such ac-
mutations, to the end that they may be
creased, or at least remain unimpaired
r the future use and enjoyment OF him
IL and objects of his love and affection
no may survive him.
1t is immeasurably better to appropriate
IT surplus to the payment Of justifable
,penses than to allow 1t to become an invi-
ton to reckless appropriations and ex-
avagant expenditures. suppose It will
It be denied that under the present law
r people obtain the necessaries of a COM
rtable existence at a cheaper rate than
rmerly. This is a matter of supreme i'm |
since 1t is tho palpable duty of
cry just government to make the burdens
taxation as light as possible The peo-
g should not be required to relinquish this
ivilege of cheap living except under the
ress of their governments necessity made
a ipIv nifeqt |