Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1896-12-11

the important matter they have In charge
to the careful consideration OF the con-
Eress.
The interstate commerce commission has
during the last year supplied abundant evil
dence OF its usefulness and the importance
OF the work committed to Its charge. Pub
lie transportation Is universal necessity,
and the question OF just and reasonable
portance. not only to shippers and carriers.
but also to the vast multitude OF producers
and consumers. The justice and equity or
the principles embodied In the existing law
pa ssed for the purpose OF regulating these
charges are everywhere conceded ana 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 OF the
case, more or less tentative ana expert
mental, II was hardly expected TO supply
a complete and adequate system. While
It's wholesome effects are manifest ana nave
amply justified It's enactment, ~ Is eVi-
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 10 De essen
tial TO the end that IL may more eHectuilly
reach the evils more desired to be correct
ed. / hope the recommendations OF the
commission upon this subject VIII De
promptly and favorahly considered by the
Operations of the Tarin Law.
l desire TO recur TO the statements else
where made concerning the government =
receipts and expenditures for the purpose
OF venturinG upon some suggestions touch-
ing our present tariff law and its opera
ton. This statute took erect on the 2S ,,a
SHORTCOMINGS as complete measure OF
tariff reform, II must be conceded that II
has opened the way 10 fr h, anG ns
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 30th
day OF June. 1856 In that year our imports
more than 81, 800 200. while the value OF the
domestic products we exported and which
found markets abroad, was nearly NO,-
900. 600 more than during the preceding year
Cannot Justly BE Condemned.
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 nm
extent necessary TO meet the expenses OF
the government. as we'll as those who
claim that tariff charges may be laid upon
such articles beyond the necessities OF gov.
eminent revenue, and with the additional
purpose of so increasing their price in our
markets as 10 give American manufacture
ers ard producers better and more profit
able opportunities, must agree that our
tariff laws are only primarily justified as
sources Of revenue 10 enable the govern
nent to meet the necessary expenses Of It's
maintenance. Considered IA to its suffi-
cheney In this aspect, the present law can
by no means fall under just condemnation.
During the only complete fiscal year Of
its operation II has yielded nearly IS 0O0, ono
more revenue than was received from
tariff duties In the preceding year. There
was. nevertheless. a deficit between our
receipts and expenditures OF a little more
than s25.0oo.OoO. This. however, was not
unexpected.
Depression Not Due To the Law.
The situation was such In December,
seven months before the close OF the fiscal
year. that the secretary of the treasury
foretold deficiency of SIT Co., 900 The great
and increasing apprehension and timidity
In business circles, and the depression In
ell activities intervening since that time
resulting from causes perfectly well under
stood and entirely disconnected with our
tariff law or it's operation. seriously
checked the imports we would have other
wise received and readily account for the
difference between this estimate OF the
secretary and the actual deficiency, "a
we'll as for a continued deficiency. Indeed,
Il must be confessed that we could hardly
have had a more unfavorablc period than
the last two years for the collection Of
tariff revenue.
Believes 1t VIII Prove = Success
We cannot reasonably hope that our re-
cuperation from this business depression
will be sudden, but II has already set In
with a promise Of acceleration and continu-
anCc | believe our present tariff law, II
allowed a fair opportunity, will in the near
future yield "a revenue which, with reasona-
bly, economical expenditures Will overcome
all deficiencies In the meantime NO dehclt
that has occurred or may occur need excite
or disturb us.
Use OF the Reserve Lawful.
To meet any such deficit we have in the
treasury, in addition to a gold reserve Of
sl0ooo0,0o0, a surplus of more than sl2S'oo,-
no applicable to the payment of the ex-
penses OF the government, and which must,
unless expended for that purpose, remain
a useless hoard. or. If not eXtravagantly
wasted, must in any event be perverted
from the purpose of It's eNaction from our
people. The payment, therefore, OF any de-
ficiency In the revenue from this fund is
nothing more than Its proper and legit-
mate use.
Government Not Like an Individual,
The government. thus applying a surplus
fortunately In its treasury TO the month
aues, is not at all TO be likened TO a man
living beyond his income and thus insuring
debt or encroaching on his principal. 1t is
not one Of the functions Of our government
20 accumulate and make additions 20
fund not needed for immediate eXpendi-
ture With Individuals IL is the chief OBJ
Jet Of STRUGGLE and effort. The applica-
ton Of ar accumulated fund by the gov
arnment t. tie payment OF its running eX
penses Is n duty An individual living be-
yOnd his income and embarras sng himself
with debt or drawing upon his accumu-
ated fund Of principal IS either unfortu-
nate or improv!dent. The distinction is
Nf'lNttl n government tndTEtQ Win the
duty OF expanding for the benefit Of the
people, and for proper purposes. all the
money IL receives from any source. and
the individual who Is expected 70 manifest
a natural desire 10 avoid debt. or 10 ac-
cumulate "A much "a possible. and 20 live
within the income derived from such ac-
cumulations. 10 the end that they may bo
Increased. or at least remain unimpaired
for the future use and enjoyment Of him
sclf and objects OF his love and affection
who may survive him.
II Is iWU"aSurably better to appropriate
our surplus 10 the payment OF tustifable
EXPENSES than to allow IL 10 become an inVi-
tation to reckless appropriations and eX-
travagant expenditures / suppose II will
not be denied that under the present law
our people obtain the necessaries Of a COM
fcrtabl" existence at a chearer rate than
formerly This is a matter Of supreme i'm
portancc since II Is tho palpahle duty OF
every just govornt.cn 70 max" the burdens
OF taxation a. light az possible The peo-
Ilc should not be required 10 relinquish this
privilege OF cheap living except under the
stress II their government necessity made
plainly manifest.
Vices of Our Financial system.
The reference to the condition and pros.
poets Of our revenues naturally suggests
an aliusiOn 20 the weakness and vices OF