The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-08-13

silserites To Distort Patent
Fncts.


There is some disposition to judge
the new war revenue law before there
has been time 10 measure it's 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-
ceised 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 IL was
passing through congress and with
regard TO the amount of revenue re-
quired for state of peace. It's opera
ton was for some months in part un-
avoidably postponed by anticipatory
imports. Before IL had become fully
operative through exhaustion of sup
plies thus brought in, the destruction
of the Maine led 10 quick increase of
expenditures in preparation for the
war which. IL was seen, could not long
be averted. Yet the fair-minded have
|
gun in February to yield the fun
amount OF revenue overwhelmingly,
the 81 100000 day which had for
years sufiiced for the ordinary expen-
ditures OF government In time of peace
and that ii has continued, notwith-
standing some interruption OF foreign
business through the war, to yieldsub-
stantially that amount OF revenue.
The new war revenue law was in
tended. according 10 Mr. Dingley's
statement when IL passed. 10 add S13s,-
lsl SOC TO the receipts, but IL was frank
~ recognized by those who framed the
law that II would rot be possible 10
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
30 years or more. The new law has not
been in operation n 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 10
conclude that the new law will fall
short Of its purpose.
In % days of July the law has yielded
revenue OF $40. 526.572, or about ST.,
456 goo daily Some of It's provisions
were capable Of anticipation, and con-
siderable revenue at the outset was
thus cut of, 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, "
the law were to be judged at all in
the light Of present insufficient expert
ence, il would have 20 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 10 cover
periods not yet expired. The same
law might not yield rs large revenue
IN succeeding months, because the first
month OF n fiscal year usually brings
considerable settlements OF various
kinds. When these things are tnken
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 and
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 given
/; week or month. The necessities have
40 be met ms they arise, by instant pro.
vision for the success OF army and
navy. the supplies Of men in the service
half around the world, and the rrepar-
alton for other and possibly large re-
uuirements in the near future. In the
: one matter of smokeless powder, for
instance, not many realized at the out,
set how clearly necessary 1t would be.
come for the government TO provide
full supply for its troops without de-
lay and without regard to expenditure.
But the magnificent success OF the loan
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 more
: favorable than were thought possible
a year ago in days of peace, relieves
the government and people OF present
anxiety. The thing 10 do Is 20 push
the war so that II may be finished as
. soon as possible.-N. Y. Tribune.
. uTThe attempt of few democratic