St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1896-01-18
THE Do-noTAINa POLICY.
Speaker Reed Has Gone Out of the Czaz
BIsiness.

-
| Business.
Speaker Reeds remarks in the re-
publican caucus and upon taking thc
chair have been generally accepted as
indicating do-nothing policy by con-
gress. His sayings that history may
accord us praise for what we do not
do," and that there are times when
rest is as heaIthgiying as exercise" il
they do indicate, as is believed, an all
around do-nothing policy, propose the
neglect of most important public du-
ties. In that sense they are the words
Of a politician and candidate, not of q
patriot and statesman.
A rest on tariff disturbances is no
doubt desired and demanded. The
country has adjusted itself to the new
schedules. Business is prospering.
Labor is well employed. Commerce
has revived. The treasury will receive
for the current calendar year over $780,
o0o,oo0 more revenue from customs
than it did in the last fiscal year of the
Mckinley tariff. 1t will receive Ghis
year $35,0o0,0o0 more than it did last.
To disturb these conditions now would
be both blunder and a crime.
But this does not absolve congress
from the duty of providing for the de-
feiency in the revenue. This de-
fciency is due to the decision of the
supreme court upon the procurement
of conspiracy of wealth, nullifying
the income tax. The logical, the just
and the easiest course to pursue is to
raise the needed $30,0o0,0oo by an in
creased revenue tax on beer. But Il
this cannot be done congress should
safeguard the treasury in some other
way. This may be done by authorize
ing the issue of treasury certificates or
short-term bonds, under proper restric-
tions, to meet emergencies like this
present.
No government should be left with
it's credit unprotected. To do nothing
now for the deliberate purpose of
leaving the administration in hole
for the next campaign would be q
shameful and dangerous omission. Ii
viii end the smart Mr.. Reed as a presi-
DENTAL possibility if he shall forget
that he cannot "leave the administers
tion in hole" without incurring the
danger of throwing the business of the
country again into the ditch.
1t will be further neglect of duty
IL congress shall do nothing looking
to the cure of the confusion into which
our currency has fallen. The next log
ical step after the resumption of specie
payments has never been taken. On
the contrary, our currency condition
has grown steadily worse for the past
II years under the coinage of greut
store of silver dollars representing now
only about so cents of their nominal
value, and an imitation of $3.50 100000 in
treasury notes issued for the purchase
of silver and nominally redeemable IN
the same, but actually drain upon
and an added menace to the gold re-
serve. AS the president says in his n.es.
sage, the government is forced to re-
deem without redemption and to pay
without acquittance" under the law res
quiring the issue of legal tenders.
It is the duty of congress to do
something to remedy this condition Of
things, If it is nothing more than the
appointment Of an expert, nonpaItisan
monetary commission to consider and
report upon it. The president has pre-
sented his plan, but he assures congress
that he is prepared to cooperate with
them in perfecting any other measure
promising thorough and practical e.
lief" This is the patriotic spirit.
Speaker Reed and his party associates
cannot afford to refuse to meet the pres
ident half way.--N. Y. World.