The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1897-01-16

ment OF a true revenue tariff is highly
commended by those who understand
what he means, and also by some who
do not understand. The conditions OF
the problem have recently been stated,
and yet are completely misunderstood
by many. There Is required more rev.
enue than was needed four years ago.
ilrst. because President Cleveland by
selling bonds has increased the interest
to be paid each year by Sli.4o2,6i5, or
nearly one-half. The expenditures of
the calendar year 1892 were S36S. 10000.
and this change alone would raise the
requirements to 1919. 100000. il econo-
mics in all other expenditures were
balanced by necessary increase in GER
tain OUTLAWS. The country Is growing.
It's coast defense and naval defense re-
quire additional expenditure, and the
people are certainly unprepared 10
cripple these forces by denying nde-
quate resources. II is therefore but
reasonable TO expect that. with great
economy in other branches Of the pub
Tic service. there will still be- needed
as much as was expended four years
ago besides the increase In interest due.
But there must also be some provision
for u small surplus, in order 10 pro-
tect the country against need OF further
bond sales in any time of temporary
depression. Nothing less than a revenue
of about $4,000 900 can be expected
70 afford reasonable safety.
With increased internal taxes and
with duties on sugar not imposed in
1892 the country obtained revenue
in 1896 from these sources of about
S20l 100000, leaving about $1ss,5o0,000
to be raised by duties ON imports other
than sugar What may be determined
regarding change in these duties need
not now be considered, for IL will GER
tainly be the policy of the republican
party in any permanent measure to
look forward to reduction, when il may
be safe, in the taxes which fall wholly
upon American citizens. and upon them
nearly in proportion TO population, in
stead OF reducing those duties which
are in part paid by foreigners for tho
privilege OF selling in American mar
kets, and which fall almost exclusively
upon those consumers of foreign goods
whose expenditure is measurably pro
portoned TO their wealth. IL may rea-
sonably be expected that existing in
ternal and sugar taxes, whenever pros
perity is wholly restored, will yield
more than they yield now. But there
is absolutely necessary. in order To Sc
cure that prosperity and i.1sNease of in
ternal revenue, the restoration of
duties by which industries are defcnded.
When surplus is this assured Y>mis-
sion of part. OF the taxes borne alike
by rich and, poor will be duly consio-
cred
Thus the revenus which must at first
be raised by duties on imports other
than sugar cannot safely be put below
SIS, 100000. which is only 100000 o0 less
than the revenue from customs in the
calendar year 1892. 1t does not follow
that duties must bc restored in all re-
spects as they were then. Some were
then necessary for the defense or the
establishment of industries, and then
yielded large revenue, which need not
now be reimposed at the same rate
TO attain the same measure OF defense,
and would not now yield much or any
revenue at that rate. But IL revenue
formerly secured is thus sacrificed or
unavoidably lost. IL follows that nearly
rs much greater revenue must be OBJ
tanned by other duties exclusive of
those on sugar, because the aggregate
cannot safely be allowed to fall much
below the customs revenue Of 1892 until
prosperity can be definitely and GER
tainly restored.
Dutiable imports in 1892 were $685.
052,0 24 in value. not including sugar.
and yet the excess OF exports over inn
ports was $o7, 4s0, 705--an excess quite
large enough in any time of ordinary
prosperity to insure against n danger
Gus loss OF gold. This year the dutiable
imports, including sugar, have been
only about 1851, 100000, but wool, lum-
Der and other articles Of importance.
from which a. good revenue might and
should be derived. are now on the free
list. IL is 10 be expected that such
articles will again be made dutiable, at
such rates MS will yield the most TO tho
treasury, and at the same time promote
that restoration OF general prosperity
which Is necessary to bring adequate
returns from the internal taxes. The
adjustment OF these duties and those
on manufactured products Is always n
task of difficulty, but is easier now than
ever before, because the whole people
have learned. and the managers OF great
industries themselves have learned.
through the experience Of prosperity in
1892. and OF unprecedented adversely
since. what rates OF duty are now best
calculated TO promote the general well
fare.-N. Y. Tribune.
POLITICAL DRIFT.