Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-03-05

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however much such loaris NAV ker,,,,e
rariiy relieve the situation. the vo,,a,.,,
ment Is still indebted for tho = ,ro,,,,
OF the surplus thus accrued. which ~
must ultimately pay, while n. ohi,,.,.
to pay Is not strengthened hnt wa.S,
ened by continued deficit. Loans ! 70
imperative IN great emergencies to pre-
serve the government or Its credit. but
failure to. supply needed revenue In
ume OF peace Tor the maintenance of
either has no justification.
The best way for the government n
maintain its credit. is to pay al Il goes
not by resortlng to loans, but by keen.
Ing out OF debt-through an ADEQUATE
income. secured by system OF taxation.
external and internal. or both. tits the
settled policy of the governmet, pur-
sued from the beginning and practced
b. all parties and administrations. TO
raise the bulk of our 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 SUBJ
Jects of internal taxation, and is com.
mitted by its latest popular utterance to
the system of tariff taxation. There can
be no misunderstanding, either about
the principal upon which their tariff tax
alton shall he levied. Nothing has ever
been made palmer at a general election
than that the controlling pbnciple in
the raising of revenue from duties on i'm
ports is jealous care for American inter-
ests and American labor. The people
have declared that such legislation
should be had as win give ample protee-
ton and encouragement to the industries
ana the development OF our country. 1t
Is therefore, earnestly hoped and ex
Eected that congress will. at the earliest
practicable moment, enact revenue leg
tslation that shall be fair reasonable
conservative and just. and which, while
supplying sufficient revenue for public
purposes, will still be generally bene.
fetal ana helpful to every section anc
every enterprise of the people To this
policy We are all, of whatever party.
firmly bound by the voice of the people
power more vastly 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 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 so far to-
wards 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 especial at
e-1~a y l.. -, T..
llant and extension of the reciprocity
principle of the law of 1890. under which
so great a stimulus was given to our for
eign trade in new and advantageous
markets, for our surplus agricultural
and manufactured products. The brief
trial given this legislation amply justi-
.ics further experiment and additional
discretionary power in the making of
commercial treaties, the end in view al
ways to be the opening up of new mar
kets for the products of our country, by
granting concessions to the products Of
other lands that we need and cannot pro-
duce ourselves. and which do not involve
any loss of labor to our own people, but
tend to increas Sc their employment.
The depression of the past four years
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 manufac-
turing will be a relief to both. No por-
tons Of our population is more
devoted to the institutions Of free
government, nor more loyal in their
support, while none bears mora
cheerfully or fully it's proper share in the
maintenance of the government, or is
better entitled to its wise and liberal care
and protection. Legislation helpful to
producers is beneficial to all. The de-
pressed condition of industry of the farm
and in the mine and factory has lessened
the ability of the people to meet the de-
mands 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.
bat that every means will be taken to
decrease, rather than increase. our pub
lie 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
resolutely turn our faces in that direction
end aid its return by friendly legislation.
However troublesome the situation 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 restoration of confidence and the re
vival of business which men of all parties
SO much desire, depend more
largely upon the prompt, ener-
getic and intelligent action OF
congress than upon any other single
agency affecting the situation.
1t is inspiring. too, to remember that
no great emergency in the 10S years of
our eventful national life has even arisen
that has not been met with wisdom and
courage by the American people, with
fidelity to their best interests and high
est destinyand to the honor of the Amer
lean nation. These years of glorious his
tory have exalted mankind and ad
vanced the cause of freedom throughout
the world. and immeasurably strength
ened the precious free institutions which
we enjoy. The people love and will sus-
tain these institutions. The great essen
tial to our happiness and prosperity is
that we adhere to the principles upon
which the government>was established |
and insist upon their faithful observ-
ance. Equality of rights must prevail.
and our laws be always and everywhere /!