The Indianapolis journal., 1896-12-22


These constitute about p per cent. or
the 4712,622 persons engaged in all manu-
featuring and mechanical industries, and.
adding to them the 5ooo0O empioyed IN agrl,
/ 4S7 573 is obtained, which IS about 6ie per
cent of the total population engaged In all
gainful occupations according 10 the re-
I'm view of the comparatively small and
constantly decreasing part OF our laboring
population that could be affected even by a
repeal of all duties. a movement for the
imposition of higher duties upon imported
goods cannot be regarded as justihable
upon any of the grounds usually urged in
support of such measures by the advocates
of the protective theory Nor DO 1 believe
conditions here and abroad, an increase or
duties upon articles now dutiable. with the
exception of a few which are not produced
at ali in this country and others which are
not produced i'm sufficient quantities TO sup
ply the demands of our own people. would
yield the government much. IL any. addi-
ntional revenue While revival of busi-
ness and a return to more prosperous con-
ditions would increase the income OF tne
listing rates Of duty. on manufactured ar
ticles ii is reasonably certain that the
quantities and values OF such articles mere
after imported will be less than they were
before the depression began, and that they
will not in the future. under any rate that
may be established. reach the proportions
of ten or fifteen years ago .
..If this view OF the subjeco Is correct. IL
Is evident that new objects OF taxation
the attempt TO secure the usual propor-
ton of revenue from customs must he
abandoned. and some other method OF rais-
ing means 10 support the government must
be adopted: but. whether revenue shall be
raised by duties imported goods or by
the imposition of taxes In some other form,
there are certain fundamental rules ana
principles applicable to the subject. which
cannot be disregarded without injustice 10
the people from whom the exactions are TO
be made. The first and most important
one is that no tax should be laid except
for public purposes. and that all sums paid
nv fhe people should be received by the
goverument. Any tax. whether import or
excise which increases the cost OF COM
modities to the consumer. beyond the
amount collected 10y the government. is ua-
just and indefensible upon any correcs
economic principle.
..When the new principles OF taxation are
recognized ard applied in our fscai lcgis-
lation there will be- no difficulty IN securing
an ample revenue for the support OF the
government i'm the exercise OF all its proper
functions without subjecting our industries
10 unnecessary burdens or our trace
to Injurious and unnecessary restrictions
Although the number of purely revenue
economic changes that have taken place
during the last few years. such articles
are still sufficient i'm number. ana they are
and must continue 10 be imported In such
quantities as to afford. under moderate
rates of duty all additions 10 the income
of the government that future exigencies
NAV prove 10 he necessary: ana. no matter
what may be the preferences OF any part OK
our people upon the subject the necessities
of the situation demand the adoption OF a
system of taxation which VIII Utilize these