The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-03-11

of revenue may invite waste and extrava-
gance inadequate revenue creates distrust
and undermnes public and private credit.
| Neither should be encouraged. Between
| more loans and NOR" revenue there ought
| to be put one opinion. We should have
more revenue, and that without delay, him
drance or postpOnement A surplus in the
| treasury created by loars is not perma-
nent or safe reliance. 1t will suffice while
it lasts, but it can not last long, while
the Outlays of the government are great
or than receipts. This has been the case
during the past two years. Nor must it be
forgotten that. however much such loans
may temporarily relieve the situation, the
government is still Indebted for the
amount of surplus thus accrued, which it
must ultimately pay, While its ability to
pay is not strengthened but weakened by
a continued deficit.
Loans are imperative in great emergen-
cics to preserve the government or its
credit, but failure TO supply needed rev.
enuc in time OF peace fer the maintenance
of either has no justification.
PROTECTIVE TARIFF.
The best way for lie government to
maintain its credit is 10 pay as it goes-not
by resorting to loans, but by keeping out of
debt, through an adequate income secur-
ed by system of ton, external or
internal or both. 1t is the settled policy
of the government, pursued from the be-
ginning and practiced by all parties and
administrations, to raise the bulk of our
revenue from taxes upon foreign produc-
tons entering the United States for sale
and consumption and eyading for the most
part every form of direct taxation except
in time of war. The country is clearly
opposed to any needless additions to the
system of internal taxation and is com
mitted by its latest public utterance to
the system of external taxation. There
can be no installing, either, about the
principle upon which this tariff taxation
shall be levied. Nothing has ever been
made palmer ut general election than
that the cOntrollingprinciple in the raising
Of revenue on imports is Jealous care for
American interests and American labor.
The public has declared that such legisa-
ton should be had as viii give ample pro-
lection and encouragement to- the indus
tries and development of our country. 1t
is therefore, earnestly hoped and expect
ed that congress will at the earliest posi-
bic moment enact rev enue legislation that
shall be fair, reasonable. conservative and
just, and which, while supplying sufficient
revenue for public purposes, will still be
signally beneficial AMI helpful to every
To this policy we IRE all, of whatever
party, firmly bound by the voice of the
people, power vastly more potential than
the expression of any political platform.
The paramount duty of congress is to stop
deficiencies by the restoration of that pro
tectivc legislation which has always beef.
the tirmest prop of the treasury The
passage of such Il law or laws wOui
the credit of the government
hot ,.t nd Il .,,I g.,
wards stopping the drain upon the gold re-
serve held for the redemption of our cur
rcncy, which has been heavy and well
nigh constant for years.
RECIPROCITY.
In the revision of the tariff, especial at.
tention should be given to the re-enact-
ment and extension of the reciprocity prin-
ciple of 1890, under which so great
stimulus was, given to our foreign trade
in new and advantageous markets for our
surplus agriculture and manufactured
products. The brief trial given this leg
islation amply justities II further expert
Gent and additional discretionary power
in the making of commercial treaties, the
end in view always to be the opening up
of new markets for the products of our
by granting concessions to the
of other lands that we need and
can not produce ourselves and which d.
not involve any loss Of labor to our own
people, but tend to increase their employ
ment.
The depression of the past four years
has fallen with especial severity upon
the great body of tDilers of the country
and more upon the holders of small farms.
Agriculture has langulsbed and labor suf
fcred. The revival Of manufacturing will
be a relief to both. No portion of our pop
ulation is more devoted 20 the institutions
of free government or more loyal in Their
support, while none bear more cheerfully
or fully its proper share i'll the maintenance
of the government or rs better entitled
to its wise and liberia care and protection.
Legislation helpful to the producer is BEN
cticial to all. The depressed condition of
on the farm and in the mine and
factory has lessened lie ability of the PEG
pie to meet the demands upon them ana
they rightfully expect that not only sys
TEN of revenue shall he established that
will secure the largest income with the
least burden, but that every means will
be taken to decrease, rather than increase
our public expenditures. Business condi-
tons are not the mos, progressive. 1t will
take time to restore tie prosperity of form
or years. If we can rot promptly attain
it we can resolutely turn our laces in that
direction and aid its return by friendly
legislation. However trouble some the stu
alton may appear, congress will not, l AIN
sure, be found lacking in disposition or
ability to relieve it AS far as legislation
can do so. The restoration of confidence
and the revival of business, which men of
all parties so much desire, depend more
largely upon the prompt, energetic and in
tclligent action of congress than upon any
other single agency affecting the situation.
AS TO LYNCHINGS.
1t is inspiring too, TO remember that no
great emergency in the one hundred and
eighteen years of our eventful national,
life has ever arisen that has not been met
with wisdom and courage of the Amerl-
can people, with fidelity to their best in
terests and highest destiny and to the hon
or of the American name. Those years
of glorious history have exalted mankind
and advanced the cause of freedom through
all the world and UNNECESSARILY strength
cned the precious Institutions which We
enjoy. The people love and will sustain
these institutions. Tho great essential TO
our happiness and prosperity is that VIC
adhere to the principles upon which the
was established and insist up.
on their faithful observance Equality of
rights must prevail and our laws be al
ways and everywhere respected and obey
ed. We may have failed in the discharge
of our full duty as citizens of the great
republic. but it is consoling and encourag-
ing to realize that free speech, a free
press, free thought. free schools. the free
a IL. g .l.A