The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-03-24

fund and subsidiary coin were touched
And during the fiscal year ended June 80.
1894. through all OF which the Mckinley
bill was in force expenditures exceeded
the revenues to the amount of $50, 500. 260.
notwithstanding the fac; that the expendi-
lures OF the government were 1889 .6T4
less than in the preceding year.
ms statement shows how absurd and
groundless is the claim constantly made
by the protectionists that recent deficits in
revenue are due to the substitution OF the
existing tariff for the Mckinley bill Moth
had been in force during the last three
years the annual deficit would have been
immensely swollen. while the people in a
season of depression and hard times would
have staggered under much heavier bur-
dens of taxation. Even in this disastrous
period customs duties under the existing
law have increased from less than 1922 nil
lien dollars in 1898. the last year Of the
Mckinley bill. to even 152 million dollars
in 1895 and to over 100 millions In 1896.
In the sugar schedule alone the balance in
favor Of the existing law Is about SIS mill
lions. The customs revenue reached nearly
40 millions, scarcely any OF which would
have been receivable under the Mckinley
Hill; and under that bill We would have
been paying 10 million dollars bonus.
With the accumulated moneys in the
treasury we really need no new imposition
Of taxes on the people 10 conduct us TO SUI
ficient revenue. or even comfortable sur
plus. II We will only invite back prosper
ity by giving stability to business and re-
duce expenditures by 4 few obvious re-
forms. In the postoffcs department alone
a saving OF from 10 10 90 millions Annually
can be made by few simple improvements
in the business organization of the DEPART
ment and a withdrawal OF facilities which
the postal service was never intended 10
provide. and which force It TO DO two
thirds OF It's work for less than one-ttirti-
eth OF its income.
But II IL be deemed necessary TO increase
the customs income OF he government by
new sources of revenue, a small duty on
tea, coffee. spices and crude opium will ac-
coEplish that result easily and surely, with
no upsetting OF business, no lessening OF
cur growing and most promising export OF
manufactures. and with no added burdens
on production, which always fall with en-
htnred weight on the consumer. with no
ranking sense of injustice among the PEG
PIE from the feeling that the larger rarI
OF the taxes they pay are for the benefit.
not Of their government, but Of the cor
rHrate and consolidated wealth that in
variably writes the schedule OF pro-
tective tariff.
That the Dingley oil. present condition
considered. Is the iAost ultra protective
tariff ever proposed to be enacted in this
country plainly appears from Chairme1
! Dlngley's statement that II levied en- the
impcIiations OF the last fiscal year II
would have increased the revenues IL.
million dollars; that is 10 say, :, would
have gathered from an importation Of
S775, 72i.264 Of imported merchandise the
enormous sum -, 30 million dollars
/ which is nearly 80 millions more than any
/ )nstcms revenue ever collected in ont
/ year in this country in the past. ana ts
say that its rates will probably checi
/ duiahle imports 10 the extent OF reducing
| the estimate to 70 millions is only ano'hei
I way q saying that 10 that extent suet
rates are prohihitcyy.
1 American consumers are shut IN IN
/ home market. 20 be preysd upon by com
! bius,i9ns and trusts without possibility o
| relief from outside competition. Such Gem
I hluations. ny Joining 10 keep up Eriees ant
( 20 curtail production. wage more incro:ies'
! war against he employment. the crpor
| tuniiics and he compensation OF AineFi
can labor Than any possible competition
! from abroad could 10.
| The falling off Of inporta,ions under tn'
present law dispels the illusion that u
/ American laborer Is anywhere deprived o
/ employment hy the Importation OF toreigI
\ products. The gratifying increase in on
I eSn1ris Of manufactures Is equally strol.
! prrot that those laws are helping us 10 en-
/ ter and command new markets. wfic'
means no: only larger employment for oul
| artisans. but more home consumers 10
4 our farmers William L. Wiison-
Washington. March Is. 1891.