The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1898-09-10
GOVERNMENT FINANCES.
Attempts of Free Traders and Free
silverites to Distort Patent
Facts.

Encts.
There is some disposition to judge
the new war revenue law before there
has been time 10 measure its results.
The same disposition was shown for
some months after the present tariff
was enacted, until the attempt to dis
tort facts became SO glaring that even
the most extreme free traders per-
ceived that they were only bringing
into disrepute the cause they were
striving to defend. Fair-minded per-
sons will agree that the tariff can be
honestly judged only in the light of
the conditions arising while it was
passing through congress and with
regard to the amount OF revenue re-
quired for state of peace. Its opera
ton was for some months i'll part un-
avodably postponed by anticipatory
imports. Before it had become fully
operative through exhaustion of sup
plies thus brought in, the destruction
of the Maine led to quick increase of
expenditures in preparation for the
war which, it was seen, could not long
be averted. Yet the fair-minded have
observed the fact that the law had be-
gun in February to yield the full
amount of revenue Overwhelmingly,
the 100000 day which had for
years sufiiced for the ordinary expen-
ditures of government in time OF peace
and that it has continued, notwith-
standing some interruption of foreign
business through the war, to yield sub
stantially that amount of revenue.
The new war revenue law was in
tended, according to Mr.. Dingley's
statement when it passed, to add $780,
4S1, 1906 to the receipts, but it was frank
ly recognized by those who framed the
law that il would not be possible to
Judge with great accuracy the fruit
fulness of internal taxes which had
never been tried in this country, or of
others which had not been tried for
80 years or more. The new law has not
been in operation month. andpart of
its provisions can become fully opera
tive only after n quarter or half year
has elapsed, while others can be en-
| forced only when cases pending in the
courts have been decided. Yet per-
sons are found who make haste to
conclude that the new law will fall
short of its purpose.
In 23 days of July the law has yielded
a revenue of 1913, 526,572, or about ST.
ass, 900 daily. Some of its provisions
were capable of anticipation. and con-
siderable revenue at the outset was
thus cut off, while the effect of other
provisions will not appear for some
time to come. But the receipts thus
| far have been at the rate of over $780,
100000 a year. Strictly speaking, If
the law were to be judged at all in
| the light of present INSULT expert
| ence, it would have to be held rather
more productive than it was originally
intended to be. Allowance must be
made, however, for the fact that pur,
chases of stamps at the outset. are
usually for considerable time to come
an that other payments are to cover
periods not yet expired. The same
law might not yield as large revenue
In succeeding months, because the first
month of fiscal year usually brings
considerable settlements of various
kinds. When these things are taker
into account. with the obvious fact
that full payment has not been real
lied on all provisions of the law il
seems within the truth to say that Il
has worked thus far quite as well ant
has yielded quite as much as was eX
pected.
A time of war Is one in which eX
penditures cannot be closely scrutin
lied. No citizen and no official car
Judge what unexpected outlay pa
triotic duty may require in any givel
week or month. The necessities have
10 be met as they arise, by instant pro
vision for the success of army ant
navy, the supplies of men in the service
half around the world, and the rrepar
alton for other and possibly large re
ouirements in the near future. In thu
one matter of smokeless powder, TO
instance, not many realized at the out
set how clearly necessary it would be
come for the government to provide ;
full supply for its troops without de
lay and without regard to expenditure
, Pat the magnificent success of the LOAF
which the government has proposed
showing that sums practically unlim
tied are at the command of the govern
: ment at any time, and on terms NOR
. favorable than were thought possibl
year ago in days of peace, relieve
the government and people of presen
anxiety. The thing to do is 70 pus
the war so that it may be finished a
soon as possible.-N. Y. Tribune.
UThe attempt of a few democrati
organs to make the senatorial cleo
, ton last winter an issue in this fal