The Greenville times., 1896-12-09

THE TARIFF QUESTION.


desire to reeur to the statements elsewhere
made concerning the governments receipts
and expenditures for the purpose OF yenturing
upon some suggestions touching our present
tarif law and Its operation.
This statute took effect on the 2Sth day of
August, 1894, Whatever may be Its shortcom-
ings as complete measure OF tariff reform. II
must be conceded that II has opened the way
ties between the United States aud other
countries, and thus furnished wider market
for our products and manufacturers. The only
entire fiscal year during which this law has
been enforced ended on the 10Th day OF June,
1890 In that year our imports increased over
those OF the previous year more than 81. 500. 900
while the value OF domestic products we ex-
ported. and which found markets abroad. was
nearly t7O'0oo,0o more than during the pre-
ceding year.
Those who insist that the cost to our people
OF articles cOmlng to them from abroad Tor
their needful use should only be Increased
through tariff charges TO an extent necessary
to meet the expenses OF the government. as
well as those who claim that tariff charges
may be laid upon such articles beyond the
necessities ofgovernment revenue, and with the
additional purpose OF so increasing their price
In our markets as TO give American manuiac-
turers and producers better and more protta-
BILE opportunities, must agree that our tariff
laws are only primarily justified as sources OF
revenue 10 enable the government TO meet the
necessary expenses OF its maintenance. Con-
eAtttt to - W heo odhittthtJ At tui. asHCtts tut
present law eau by no means fall under Just
condemnation. During the only complete
fiscal year OF Its operation II has yielded near
ly t6,0O0O00 more revenue than was received
from tarin duties In the preceding year There
was, nevertheless, o deficit between our re-
ceipts aud expenditures OF little more than
t,500o,000 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 o deh-
cheney Of si7 100000
Need Not Excite or Disturb Us.
In the meantime no deficit that has occurred
or may occur need excite or disturb U.S. To
meet any such deficit In the treasury, In addi-
tion 10 gold reserve OF sil l0.000,000, q surplus
Of more than si2s ZOO 900 applicable to the pay
ment OF the expenses OF the government, and
which must. unless expended for that purpose,
remain a useless hoard: or. II not extravagant-
ly wasted, must In any event be perverted from
the purpose OF its exaction from our people.
Tho payment, therefore, OF any deficiency In
the revenue from this fund Is nothing moro
than Its proper and legitimate use
A Matter of supreme Importance.
suppose II will not be denied that under
the present law our people obtain the neces-
saries OF o comfortable existence ut cheaper
rate than formerly This In matter OF supreme
Importance since II Is the Ialpable duty Of
every just government to make the burdens Of
taxation as light Us possible. The people
should not be required TO relinQuish this
privilege OF cheaper living except under the
stress OF their governments necessity made
plainly manifest