Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-03-05
MeKlALBY'B MESSAGE in FULL,

tdkokGk6kd(k6(P 1(h6(hG(pekdk1e
Its ability to pay is not strengthened
but weakened by a continued deficit.
Loans are imperative In great emer-
gencies TO preserve the government or
its credit. but a failure to supply needed
revenue in time Of peace for the main
tenance Of either has no justification.
The best way for the government to
maintain its credit is to pay as it goes
not by resorf3ng to loans. but by keep
ing out Of debt-through an adequate
income secured by a system Of taxa
tion, external Or internal. or both. 1t il
the settled policy Of the government.
pursued from the beginning and prac-
ticed by all parties, and administrations.
to raise the bulk Of our revenue from
taxes upon foreign productions entering
the United States for sale or consump-
ton; and avoiding for the most part
every form Of direct taxation, except
in time Of war. The country IL clearly
opposed to any needless additions to the
subjects CT internal taxation. and il
committed by its latest popular utter
ance to the system of tariff taxation.
There can be no misunderstanding
either, about the principle upon which
this tariff taxation shall be levied.
Nothing has ever been made palmer
at a general election than that the con-
trolling principle in the raising Of rev.
enue on imports is jealous care for
American interests and American la
Dor. The people have declared that
such legislation should be had as will
give ample protection and encourage
ment to the Industries and the devel-
opment Of our country.
Bound by Voice Of the People.
1t is. therefore. earnestly hoped and
expected that congress will, at the earli-
est practicable moment, enact revenue
legislation that shall be fair. reasona-
bic. conservative and just, and which,
while supplying sufficient revenue for
public purposes, will still be signally
beneficial and helpful to every section,
and every enterprise Of the people. To
this policy, We are all, of whatever
party. firmly bound by the voice of the
people-a power vastly more potential
than the expression Of any political
platform. The paramount duty of
congress is to stop deficiencies by the
Of that protective legislation
which has always been the firmest prop
Of the treasury. The passage of such
a law or laws would strengthen the
credit of the government both at home
and abroad, and go far towards stop
ping the drain upon the gold reserve
held for the redemption Of our currency
which has been heavy and well nigh
constant for several years.
In the revision of the tariff, especial
should be given to the re-
and extension of the reci-
procity principle of the law of 1890, un-
der which so great a stimulus was Civ
en- to our foreign trade in new and ad-
markets for our surplus ag-
ricultural and manufactured products.
The brief trial given this legislation
amply justifies a further experiment
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 country. by granting concessions to
the products Of other lands that we
need and cannot produce ourselves, and
which do not involve any loss of labor
to our people. but tend to increase
their employment. The depression of
the past four years has fallen with es-
pecial severity upon the great body of
the country. and upon none more than
the holders of small farms.
A Relief TO Both.
Agriculture has languished and labor
suffered. The revival Of manufactur-
ing will be a relief to both. No portion
Of our population is more devoted to
the institutions of free government, nor
more loyal in their support. while none
bears more cheerfully or fully its prop
er share in the maintenance of the gov
eminent. or is better entitled to its wise
and liberal care and protection. Legis-
lation helpful to producer Is beneficial
to ALL. The depressed condition of in
dustry on the farm and in the mine and
factory has lessened the ability of the
people to meet the demand upon them,
and they rightfully expect that not only
a system of revenue shall be 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 Busi-
ness conditions are not the most prom
ising. 1t will take time to restore the
prosperity of former years. II we can
not promptly attain 1t, we can reso-
lutely turn our faces in that direction
and aid its return by friendly legisla-
tioH. HioWeNeF Troublesome the Situ-
alton may appear. congress will not, I
am sure. be found lacking in DISPOSE
ton or ability to relieve it, as far as
legislation can do so. The restoration
Of confidence and the revival of busi-
ness. which men of all parties so much
desire. depend more largely upon the
prompt. energetic and intelligent &C.
ton of congress. than upon any other
single agency affecting the situation.
All Emergencies Met.
It II inspiring. too, to remember that
no great emergency in the $50 years of
our eventful national life. has ever
arisen, that has not been met with wis.,
dom and courage by the American peo.
pie. with fidelity to their best interests.
and highest destiny and to the honor
Of the American name. These years of
glorious history have exalted mankind
and advanced the cause of freedom
throughout the world and immeasure-
ably strengthened the precious free in
stitutions which we enjoy. The people
love and will sustain these institutions,
The great essential to our happiness
and prosperity IL that we adhere to the
principles upon which the government
was established and insist upon their
Hsr1 <1>a