The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1896-12-10

the fourth class misunderstanding be not In
cuded In the statement it may be said that
practically all positions contemplated by
the civil-servlce law are now classified
abundant reasons exist for including these
rostmasterships, based upon economy, I'M
proved service and the peace and quiet Of
neighbOrhoods. The ciyil-service rules, as
amended during the last year. provide for a
sensible and uniform method of promotion,
basing eligibility TO better positions upon-
demonstrated efficiency and faitnfulness.
The absence of fixed rules on this subject
has been an infirmity in the system more
and more apparent. as its other benefits
have been better appreciated Those who
gain positions through the operation or civil
service methods should be made to under
stand that the nonpartisan scheme through
which they receive their appointments de-
mands from them. by way Of reciprocity.
nonpartisan and faithful performance of
duty under every administration. and cheer
full fidelity to every chief While they
should be encouraged TO decently exercise
their rights of citizenship and to support
through their suffrages the political beliefs.
they honestly profess, the noisy. pestilent
and partisan employe, who loves politicai
turmoil and contention. or who renders lax
and grudging service to an administration
not representing his political views, should
be promptly and fearlessly dealt with In
such a way as to furnish warning to 9TH
ers who may be likewise disposed.
National Finances and the Tariff.
l desire to recur to the statements else
receipts and expenditures for the purpose
of venturing upon some suggestions touch
ing our present tariff law and its opera
tlon. This statute took effect on the 18th
day of August, 1894. Whatever may be Its
shortcomings as a complete measure Of tar
in REFORM 1t must be conceded that n hrs
opened the way to a freer and greater ex-
change of commodities between us and other
countries. and thus furnished a wider mar
ket for our products and manufacturing.
The only entire fiscal year during which this
law has been in force ended the Both day
Of June 1896. In that year our imports In
creased over those of the previous year
more than ST. SOC, 900, while the value of the
domestic products we exported and which
found markets abroad was nearly S1O,0OO.- !.
600 more than during the preceding year
The present law, during the only complete
fiscal year of its operation. has yielded near
ly $S.OOO.O0O more revenue than was re-
ceived from tariff duties in the preceding
year. There was. nevertheless. deficit be-
tween our receipts and expenditures OF
little more than $25.0O0,0O0. This. however,
was not unexpected. The situation was
such in December last, seven months be-
fore the close of the fiscal year, that the
Secretary of the Treasury foretold den-
cheney of S17,0OO.0O0. The great and in
creasing apprehension and timidity In busi-
ness circles and the depression in all activi-
ties Intervening since that time resulting
from causes perfectly well understood and
entirely disconnected with our tariff law or
It's operation, seriously checked the imports
we would have otherwise received and read
lily account for the difference between this
estimate of the Secretary and the actual det-
cheney, as well as for a continued uenc1t.
Indeed. it must be confessed that we could
hardly have had a more unfavorable period
than the last two years for the collection OF
tariff revenue. We cannot reasonably hope
that our recuperatiOn from this business de-
preston will be sudden, but it has already
set In. with promise of acceleration and
continuance.
/ believe our. present tariff law. If allowed
n fair ri ify eyifl in ha
yield revenue which, with reasonably eco
nOmic expenditures, will overcome all de-
ficiencies. Meantime no deficit that has
occurred or may occur need excite or dis 3
turb us. To meet any such deficit we have
in the treasury, in addition to a gold re-
serve of S100.000O00. surplus of more
than SIPS, 100000 applicable to the. payment
of the expenses of the Government. ana
which must unless expended for that pur-
pose. remain n useless hoard. or, II not ex-
travagantly wasted. must In any erent De
perverted from the purpose OF It's exaction
from our people. The payment, therefore.
Of any deficiency in the revenue from this
fund is nothing NOR than Its proper and leg
itimate use.
1t Is fimmeasuraby better to appropriate
our surplus to the payment of jastifiable ex-
penses than to allow it to become an invi-
tatiOn to reckless appropriations ana ex-
travagant expenditures l suppose IL VIII
not be denied that under the present law
our people obtain the 'necessaries OF com
Portable existence at cheaper rate than for
merly. This Is matter of supreme impor-
tance, since 1t is the palpable duty OF every
government to make the burdens Of taxa-
tlOn as light as possible. The people snoulu
not be required to relinqIlsh this privilege
of cheap living except under the stress OF
their governments necessity made plainly
manifest.
The Currency system.
am more convinced than ever that we
can have no assured financial peace and
safety until the government currency OBJ
legations upon which gold may be demand
ed from the treasury are withdrawn from
circulation and Cancelled. This might Dc
done. as has been heretofore recommended.
but their exchange for long term bonds bear
Ing a low rate of interest of by their re-
demption with the proceeds of such bonds.
Even IL only the United States'notes known
as greenbacks were thus retired. 1t Is prob
able that the treasury notes issued IN pay
ment of silver purchases under the act OF
July IA, 1890. now paid In gold when de-
manded, would not create much disturbance.
as they might from time to time when re-
ceived in tire treasury by redemption In gold
or otherwise, be gradually and prudentiy
replaced by silver coin-
In default of this plan. however. 1t would
be d step in the right direction If currency
obligations redeemable in gold, whenever
being reisSued-
National banks should redeem their own
notes. They should be allowed TO issue cir.
culatiOn to the par value of bonds deposited
as security for Its redemption. and the tax
on their circulation should be reduced to
one-fourth of l per cent.
In considering projects for the retirement
of United States notes and treasury notes
issued under the law of 1880, am OF the
opinion that we have placed too much stress
upon the dang contracting the currency
and have calcu..ted too little upon the gold
that would be added to our circulation II
invited to us by better and safer financial
methods. 1t is not so much u contraction CT
our currency that should be ayoded as
-
obviated and any fear of harmful contrac-
tion at the same time removed. by allow,
ing the organization of smaller banks anu
in less populous communities than are now
and authorizing banks to estab-
iish branches in small communities under
proper restrictions.
The entire case may be presented by the
that the day of sensible ana sound
financial methods will not dawn upon US
until our government abandons the banking
business and the accumulation of funds, ana
confines Its monetary operations to the re-
ceipts Of the money contributed by the peo-
ple for its support, and to the expenditure
of such money for the peoples benefit.
Our business interests and all good citi-
zens long for rest from feverish agitation,
and the Inauguration by the Government OF
a reformed financial policy. which VIII en-
courage enterprise and make certain the re-
wards of labor and industry.
Roast for the Trusts.
Another topic in which our people right
fully take a deep interest may here be brief
ly considered. | refer to the existence OF
trusts and other huge aggregations of cap
ltal. the object of which is to secure the
monopoly of some particular branch Of trade.
industry or commerce and so stife whole
some competition. When these are DEFEND
ed 1t Is usually on the ground that though
they increase profits they also reduce prices
and thus may benefit the public. 1t must
be remembered, however. that a reduction
Of prices to the people Is not one OF the
real objects of these organizations, nor Is
their tendency necessarily in that direc-
ton Their tendency Is TO crush ont fndi-
vidual independence and to hinder or pre-
vent the free use of human faculties and
fhe full development of human character.
Through them the farmer. the artisan, and
t4e small trader is in danger of dislodgment
from the proud position of being his own
master, watchful of all that touches his coun-
try's prosperity. in which he has an individ-
nal lot and interested in all that affects the
advantages of business of which he Is a fac
Tor, to be relegated to the level of a mere
to a great machine, with little
free will, with no duty but of passive obedt-
ance, and with little hope or opportunity
If rising in the scale of responsible and help
fuI citizenship.
Though Congress has attempted to deal
with this matter by legislation the laws
passed for that purpose thus far have proved
Ineffective The decision of our highest
court renders it quite doubtful whether the
evils of trusts and mOnOpOlies can be ade-
luateIy treated through federal action--un-
css they seek directly and purposely to in