The Topeka state journal., 1897-03-04

ateS dlStruSt and undermineS pu bic
and private credit Neither should be
more revenue there ought to be but one
way open. We should have more rev.
enue. and that without delay, hindrance
or postponement. a surplus in the
treasury created by loans is not q per-
manent or a safe reliance. 1t will suf-
flee while it lasts, but it cannot last
long while the Outlays of the govern
ment are greater than its receipts, as
has been the case during the past two
years.
Nor must it be forgotten that how
ever much such loans may temporarily
relieve the situation, the government
surplus thus accrued, which ii must ul-
timately pay, while its ability to pay
is not strengthened, but weakened by
a continued deficit. Loans are impera-
the government or its credit, but fall
ure to supply needed revenue in the
time of peace for the maintenance of
either has no justification.
The best way for the government to
maintain it's credit is to pay as it goes
not by resorting to loans, but by keep
ing out of debt-through an adequate
income 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 revenue from taxes
upon foreign productions entering the
United States for sale and consumption; !;
and avoiding 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 subjects
of internat tional taxation, and is COM
mitted by its latest popular utterance
to the system of tariff taxa ton. There
can be no misunderstanding whatever
about the principle on which this tariff
taxation shall be levied. Nothing has
ever been made palmer at a general
hot hA Ill -,
ciple in the raising of revenue on i'm
ports in Jealous care for American in
terests and American labor is wished.
The people have declared that such
legislation should be had as will give
ample protection and encoura cement TO
the industries and the development of
our country. 1t is. therefore, earnestly
hoped and expected that congress will
at the earliest practicable moment, en-
act revenue legislation that shall be
fair, reasonable, conservative and just
and which, while supplying the suff1-
cient 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
er vastly more potential than
the expression of any political
platform. The paramount duty of con-
greSS is to stop deficiencies by the res
toration of that protective legislatio
which has always been the frmest prop
of the treasury.
The passage of such a law or laws
would strengthen the credit of the gov
ernment both at home and abroad and
go far towards stopping 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, special
attention should be given to the re-
enactment and extension of the reci-
proc1ty principle of the law of 1890, un-
der which so great a stimulus was given
to our foreign trade in new and adVan-
tageous markets for our surplus agri-
cultural and manufactured products.
The brief trial given this legislation
amply justifies a further experiment,
and additional discretionary powers in
the making of commercial treaties, the
end in view always to the opening up
of new markets for the products of our
products of other lands that we need
and cannot produce ourselves, and
which do not involve any loss of labor
to our own people, but tend to increase
the past four years has fallen with es-
pec1al severity upon the great body 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 a re-
lief to both. No portion of our people
is more devoted to the institutions of
free government nor more loyal in their
support, while none bears more cheer
fully or fully it's share in the mainte-
nance of the government or is better
entitled to its wise and liberal care and
protection. Legislation helpful to pro-
ducers is beneficial to all.
The depressed condition of industry
on the farm and in the mandatory
has lessened the ability of the people
to meet the demands upon them and
they rightfully expect that not only
system of revenue shall be established
that will secure the largest income with
the Hghtest 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 res
olutely turn our faces in that direction
and aid it's return by friendly legiSla-
ton. However troublesome the situ-
alton may appear, congress will not, I
am sure, be found lacking in disposition
or ability to relieve it as far as legisla-
ton can do So
The restoration of confidence and re-
vival of business, which men of all
parties so much desire, depends more
largely upon the prompt, energetic and
intelligent action of congress than up
on any other single agency that affects
the situation. 1t is inspiring, too, to
remember that no great emergency in
the 10S years of our eventful national
life has ever arisen that has not been
met with wisdom and courage by the
American people, with fidelity to the
best interests and highest destiny and
to the honor of the American name
these years of glorious history have ex-
alted mankind and advanced the cause
of freedom throughout the world and
immeasurably strengthened the prec-
ious free institutions which we enjoy.
The people love and will sustain these
institutions.
The greatest aid to our happiness and
prosperity is that we adhere to the
principles upon which the government
was established and insist upon their
faithful observance. The equality of
rights must prevail and our laws be al
ways and everywhere respected and
obeyed. We may have failed in the
discharge of our whole duty as citizens
of the great republic, but it is consol-