Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1898-05-05
BURDENING PosTERITY.
The Expenses of the War VIII Fall
Upon the Present Gem
Grafton.

The republican members of the ways
and means committee, we are told, pro-
pose that the present generation shall
bear the burdens of the war with Spain.
It is with this end in view that they have
framed bill which they think will pro-
duce an additional annual revenue of
$10o, 200, 900 to $120, oO0, 900.
It seems from this that the republican
members of the committee do not know
that, do what they may, the present
generation must bear the burdens of the
war. All the destruction incident to
war is necessarily destruction to exist
ing commodities. All the powder ex-
ploded, all the shot hurled at the enemy,
all the ships sunk, all the animals de-
stroyed, all the stores and buildings
burned must necessarily be produced
first. All the labor and productive
means bestowed upon them must be eX-
pended by the present generation so
far as they were not expended by past
generation.
Plainly, the entire actual expenditure
must be made by the present genera
ton. It cannot be passed along to sue
ceeding generation to the amount of
one cent. So far as the actual current
cost of war is concerned, it must be
borne by the living generation and it is
a mere matter of adjustment.
Some members of community are so
situated that they can advance far more
than the share which would fall to them
on final distribution of the expense by
taxation. But most are in such circum
stances that it would be a hardship to
exact their full distributive share as the
war progresses. 1t is better for them to
make some compensation to those who
have abundant ready means for advanc-
ing the same while they themselves take
more time to obtain the means neces-
sary to pay their share.
Thus it is not the actual expenditure
but the adjustment of it as between
these classes that may be postponed for
a time and perhaps even to a generation
in the distant future. Those of
abundant means carry the present bur-
den and in consideration thereof accept
g claim upon taxpayers which may not
be finally adjusted for many genera
tions.
AS a nation we may escape present
burdens by borrowing abroad. But if
we do the general proposition remains
true that ali the current expenditure
must come out of existing wealth, and
therefore cannot be put off upon sue
ceeding generation. It is still matter
of adjustment only, the area within
which the adjustment is to be made be-
ing extended beyond our own territory
and people.
Whether it is wiser for all taxpayers
&c be called on to pay their share as the
war progresses or to induce those of
abundant means to advance the greater
part of what is needed is a question to
be decided according to conditions and
circumstances. 1t would not be wise to
Cypress the mass of taxpayers by heap
ing upon them immediate burdens of
great magnitude. 1t would be better to
distribute their burden over time long
enough to enable them to make their
contribution with comparative ease.
On the other hand, it is well that tax
payers generally should contribute
their share as the war progresses as far
as they can without being intolerably
oppressed. 1t is well that they should
realize from the start that war is costly
and that they must bear share of the
expense. This is necessary as a check
upon extravaganza and the rapacity of
contractors and others who are ever
ready to take advantage of their coun-
try's needs. It is also necessary be-
cause high rates must be paid where
large sums are borrowed for war pur-
poses. It is desirable that war debts
should be kept down to the lowest fig
ure.
AS has been said, the adjustment of
war burdens may be largely thrown
upon posterity. This adjustment in
wolves hardship and each generation
has hardships enough of ITS own to
bear. 1t is not manly for the men of to-
day to leave a legacy of hardship to
their children, who may need all their
strength to carry their own loads.
The best rule is to carry our own bur
den as far as we can without breaking
down under it and leave to our children
as little of this negative estate as pos
sible. This is the course which at once
affords the greatest safeguard against
aggressive and unnecessary war and i'm
parts the most formidable strength
when we must needs meet an enemy
Chicago Chronicle.