The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-03-10

The best way ior the government to
maintain its credit is 10 pay as 1t goes,
not by restoring to loans, but by keep
ing out of debt through an adequate in
come secured by a system of taxation,
external or internal, or both. 1t is the
settled policy of the government, pur-
sued from the beginning and practiced
by all parties and administrations, to
raise the bulk of our revenue from
taxes upon foreign productions enter
ing the United States for sale and con-
sumption; and avoiding for the most
part every form of direct taxation, ex-
cept in time CT war. The country is
clearly opposed to any needless addl-
tions TO subjects of internal taxation
and is com mitted by its latest popular
utterancs to the system of tarltf taxa
ton. There can be- no misunderstand-
| ing, either, about the principle upon
which this tariff taxation shall be lev
| led. Nothing has ever been made
palmer at general election than that
the controlling principle OF raising
revenue from duties on imports is
Jealous care for American interests
and American labor. The people have
declared that such legislation should
be had as will give ample protection
and encouragement to the industries
and the development of our country;
1t is, therefore, earnestly hoped and
expected that Congress will, at the
earliest practicable moment, enact
re, enue legislation that shall be fair,
reasonable, and 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 vast
ly more potential than the expressions
of any political platform. The para
mount duty of Congress is to stop de-,
fciences by the restoration of that
prospective legislation which has al
ways been the frmest prop OF the
Treasury. The passage of such law
or laws would strengthen the credit OF
the government both at home and
abroad and 60 far towards stopping
the drain upon the gold reserve held
for the redemption Of our currency,
which has been heavy and we'll nigh
constant for several years.
In the revision of the tariff, especial
attention should be given to the re'en-
actment and extension of the reciproc-
| ity principle of the law of 1890, under
which so great a stimulous was given
to our foreign trade in new and ad-
vantageous markets for our surplus
agricultural and manufactured pro-
ducts. The brief trial given this leg
| islatlon amply justl6es further ex-
pertinent and additional discretionary
bower 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 grant
| ing concessions to the products OF 9TH
er lands that we need and cannot pro-
duce ourselves and which do not In
volve any loss of labor to our own
people, but tend to increase their en-
ployment.
The depression of the past four
wears has fallen with especial severity
upon the great body of toilers OF the
country and upon none more than the
holders of small farms. Agriculture
has languished and labor suffered.
The revival of manufacturing will be
| relief to both. No portion of our
population is more devoted to the in
stitutions of free government nor
more loyal in their support, while
none bears more cheerfully or fully
| its proper share in the maintenance OF
the government or is better entitled to
its wise and liberal care and protec'
ton. Legislation helpful to produc,
ers is beneficial to all. The depressed
condition of industry on the farm and
| in the mine and factory has lessened
the ability of the people to meet the
demands upon them and they right.
fully 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.
Business conditions are not the most
promising. 1t will take time to restore
the prosperity of former years. If we
cannot promptly attain it we can reso'
lutely turn our faces in that direction
and aid its return by friendly leglsla,
ton. However, troublesome the sit,
uaton may appear, Congress will
not, am sure, be found lacking in
disposition or ability to relieve it as
far as legislation can do so: The res:
toration of confidence and the revival
of business, which men of all parties
so much desire, depend more largely
upon the prompt, energetic and intel
Iligent action of Congress, than upon
any other single agency affecting the
situation.
1t is inspiring, too, to remember
that no greater emergency in the one
hundred and eight years OF our event.
full national life has ever arisen that
has not been met with wisdom and
courage by the American people with
fidelity to their best Interests and
highest destiny and to the honor of
the American name. These years of
glorious history have exalted man
kind and advanced the cause of free
dom throughout the world and immea-
surably Strengthened the precious
free institutions which we enjoy. The
people love and will sustain these in
stitutions. The great essential to our
happiness and prosperity is that we
adhere to the principles upon whieh
the government was established and