Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-03-18

q
dent Mckinley tho country must be
disturbed by special session Of
Congress and a revision Of the tariff.
but such is tine case. The con-
ditious pointed out by the President
undoubtedly exist; namely, tho ex-
penditures Of the government annually
excsed its revenues. That a deficit
should follow each year. ia inevitable.
But, unfortunately, President Mckin
ley points out as a remedy the increase
OF tariff taxation instead Of reduction
of expenses. The latter 10 the most
natural and reasonable remedy to appi,
to the condition of government spend
ing more money than 1t has, and is tho
rule invariably applied to like condi-
lions in private business. For who can
say, in the evert Of the Mckinley
remedy being applied, and should il
result in increasing the governments
revenues, that Congress, with ifs
wanton extravagance thus endorsed and
commended, would not continue in the
same direction and create deficits de-
| spite the additional revenues that
higher tariff duties might produce.
But it ia far from certain that higher
import duties will increass the public
revenues We had the experience.
under the Mckinley bill OF reduced
revenues from higher tariff rate-a
result that the bill was expected to
accomplish when IL was enacted. A
surplus in the Treasury was tho pre-
text for the Mckinley bill. deficit
in the Treasury is now the pratszt for
a similar enactment, for ii 10 not dis
putsd that the Dingley bill is an stiff
In it's tax schedules and as scapt in it's
free list as was the Mckinley bill. Is
it unreasonable, therefore. to contend
that the Dinglsy bill will effect rs.
duction in the revenues, the same as
attended the operations OF the McKin-
ley bill2 Then, surely, The country
will be worse of than ever. For. with
Diminished revenues and expenditures
as extrayagant as before. the doficits
in the Treasury will continue and grow
larger instead Of disappearing alto
gsther.
| President McKinley's message. there.
fore. is disappointing, although it was
to be expected, considering his past
record upon this subject. But public
men are presumed to learn as they live,
and to profit by experience. The Presi-
dent should know, as Others know,
that the highest tariffs do not produce
the greatest revenues, and be should
bear in mind the fact patent to all the
country, that high tariff taxation vas
not the issue that made him President
Of the United States by such an over
whelming verdict Of the American
people. Small wonder is it, that even
such an ardent advocate Of protection
as the Philadelphia Ledger should feel
yisibly disappointed at the tone of tho
Presidents message and dissent from
its sentiment in the following expires
siye manner:
President McKinley's first message
to Congress 10 chiefly remarkable for
what it omits TO say. Ii deals with
only one subject, the need of increased
; revenue for the support of the govern
ment, and suggests only one remedy,
} an increase of tariff duties. Not a
, word is said about economy as ono Of
] the means OF bringing expenses within
income. nor is there any suggestion
Of currency reform as means of
, strengthening business confidence. The
) era of prosperity is to be ushersd in by
increasing the burdens Of taxation.
OF the Dingley bill, which the House
of Representatives will promptly pro
coed to work upon, II can bo truly said
that il is as excessive in it's tax rates
; as was the Mckinley bill. anu the
people are we'll aware of the evils that
followed in the train of that famous
/ enactment It imposes high rate Of
: duty on wool and manufactured
woolea goods, in place of the FREQ wool
and cheap clothing of the present tariff.
Here is where the poor will most
', heavily feel it's burdens This tax, i,
has been estimated, viii be about two
/. dollars per capita Of our entire popu.
3 lation each year, for tho protection 81
the sheen growers of the United States.
q Surely, this is an oppressive itom foi
/, the whole people TO pay for the benefit
OF tho very small proportion OF theil
o fellow citizens who are engaged in The
Q wool growing industry.
' But, no matter how grinding anL
'. oppressive the bill may prove to he, il
a will, IL enacted, receive the aprroya
# Of President Mckinley. The hone o
8 tie people is in Congress- although
:, such dependence is far from assuring
n Bot, with the experience of the pas
:. as guide, Congress should avoid tn,
Il pathway that leads TO higher taxes ant
n decreased revenues, and direct the wa,
= into the safe road Of economy in thu
expenditures of the government. Thef
e the deficit, which has been gradual,
u decreasing in extent even under tn,
present unfavorable conditions. will sool
g disappear entirely, and the existing
! sources of revenue will be found ampl
"a for all Legitimate purposes.
is Will Congress do this thing? ",
!. hopo 80, although the outlook is ia
=. from encouraging.
d Dun's Review for last week says
y "The volume OF business shown b,
plnupipr 10 Luf ~, ~, ~