Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-03-05
widows.and orphans who are the pension
ers of the United States.
Dehcieney vs., Surplus.


mitted TO run behind, or increase its debt,
in times like the present. Suitably to
provide against business disaster is the
mandate Of duty. a deficiency is inevita-
bic SO long rs the expenditures of the
government exceedA its receipts. 1t can
only be met by loans or an Increased
revenue. While large annual surplus OF
revenue may invite waste and extrav-
agance, inadequate revenue creates dis
trust and Jrndern1tnes public and private
credit Neither should be encouraged. Be
tween more loans and more revenue. there
ought TO be but one opinion; We should
have more revenue. and that without de-
lay, hirdrance or postponement- A sur
plus in the treasury created by loans is
not a permanent or safe reliance. 1t will
suffice while II lasts. but it cannot last
long while the outlays of the government
are greater than fits receipts, as 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 the surplus thus &C.
crued, which It must ultimately pay, while
its ability 10 pay is not strengthened but
weakened by continued deficit. Loans
are imperative in great emergencies to
preserve the government or its credit, but
a failure TO supply needed revenue in time
of peace for the maintenance OF either has
no justification.
Urgent Need of More Revenue.
"The best way for the government to
maintain its credit is to pay as it goes
not by resorting to loans, but by keeping
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, pursued from
the beginning. and practiced by all parties
and administrations. to raise the bulk of
our revenue from taxes upon foreign pro-
ductions entering the United States for
sale and consumption; and avoiding for
the most part every form of direct taxa
ton, except in time Of war. The country
is clearly opposed to any needless addi-
ticns to the subjects of internal taxation.
and is committed by its latest popular ut
terance 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 controlling principle In the
raising of revenue on imports should be
jealous care for American interests and
American labor. The people have declared
that such legislation should be had az will
give ample protection and announcement
IN be ind fri md he aant of
our country. IL is. therefore. earnestly
hoped and expected that congress will at
the earliest practicable moment. enact rev.
enue legislation that shall be fair, reasou-
able, conservative and just, and which,
while supplying sufficient revenue for pub
lie purposes. viii still be signally beneficial
and helpful TO every section and every
enterprise of the people. To this policy
Wa are all, of whatever party. firmly bound
by the voice of the peopIe-a 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 protective legislation
which has always been the frmest 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 toward 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.
Reciprocity Should BE Extended.
''In the revision of the tariff, especial
attention should be given to the re-enact--
ment and extension of the reciprocity
principle OF the law of 1890. under which so
great stimulus was given to our foreign
trade in new and advantageous markets
for our surplus agricultural and manu-
factured products. The brief trial given
this legislation amply justifies a further
experiment and additional discretionary
power in the making of commercial treat
ies. the end in view always to be the OPEN
ing 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
own people, but tend to increase their
employment.
THE depression of the past four years has
fallen with especial severity upon the great
body of the country. and upon none more
than the holders of small farms. Agricult.
IRE has languished, and labor suffered
The revival of manufacturing will be re-
lief to both. No portion of our people is
more devoted to the institutions of free
government, nor more loyal in their sup
port, while none bears more cheerfuIly or
fully its proper share in the maintenance
of the government or is better entitled TO
its wise and liberal care and protection.
Legislation helpful TO the producer is ben
eficial to all. The depressed condition of in
dustry on the farm, and, in the main, in
the factory, has lessened the ability of the
people TO meet the demands 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
he taken 10 decrease rather than increase
our public expenditures.
Prosperity Must Return slowly.
Business conditions are not the most
promising. IT will take time to restore the
prosperity of former years. II we cannot
promptly attain IT, we can resolutely turn
our faces in that direction and aid its re-
turn by friendly legislation. However