The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1898-05-13
BEARING THE BURDEN.
The Expenses Of b War Will Fai'
Upon the Present Gem
Grafton.

The republican members of the ways
and means committee, we are told, pro
pose that the present generation SHAH
bear the burdens Of the war with Spain.
IL Is with this end in view that they have
framed a hill which they think will pro-
duce an additional annual revenue OF
500, 600, 900 to $4,000, 900.
IL seems from this hat the republican
members Of the committee do not know
that, do what they may, the present
generation must bear the burdens OF the
war. Al! 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 m 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 a past
generation.
Plainly. the entire actual expenditure
must be made by the present genera
ton. 1t cannot be passed along to a 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 tits
a mere matter of adjustment.
Some members OF a community are so
situated that they can advance FAR more
than the share which would fall TO them
on a final distribution of the expense by
taxation. But most are in such eircum-
stances that it would be a hardship to
exact their full distributive share as the
war progresses. 1t is better for them 10
make some compensation TO those who
have abundantready 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
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 thereon accept
: a claim upon taxpayers which may not
: be finally adjusted for many genera
: tons.
{ As a nation we may escape present
I burdens by borrowing abroad. But l,
: we do the general proposition remains
true that al, the current expenditure
> m,s. come out Of existing wealth, ant
therefore cannot be put off upon n sue
: ceeding generation. II is still a mattel
y OF adjustment only, the area within
: which the adjustment is TO be made be
! ing extended beyond our own terrltor.
and people.
Whether il is wiser for az taxpayer
:, &c be called on TO pay their share as tn
|, war progresses or to induce those o
Il abundant means 10 advance the create
n part of what is needed is a question I
be decided according to conditions an
m circumstances. 1t would not be wise I
r. oppress the mass of taxpayers 10y heaI
,r ing upon them immediate burdens {
IN great magnitude. 1t would be better I
De- distribute their burden overa time Ion
enough TO enable them 10 make the
contribution with comparative ease.
to On the Other hand, it is well thatta'
D. rayers generally should contribu'
m their share as the war progresses as II
~ as they can NitHout peAh5
Id oppressed. 1t is we'll that they shoul
N realize from the start that war is cost
4 and that they must bear a share OF II
" expense. This is necessary as a chez
upon extravaganza and the rapacity
l.. contractors and others who are ev'
nc ready TO take advantage OF their cou
81 try's needs. 1t is also necessary b
w cause high rates must be PAID VINE
large sums are borrowed for war pu
n poses. 1t is desirable that war deb
should be kept down to the lowest II
ure.
As has been said, the adjustment
war burdens may be largely throw
upon posteri;y. This adjustment j
tx wolves hardship and cach generate
est has hardships enough Of its own
cts bear. 1t is not manly for the men OF
day TO leave n legacy of hardship
their children. who may need all thu
md strength TO carry their W loads.
The best rule is to carry our own b'
The den as far as we can without break
the Gown under it and leave 10 our childr
vas as little Of this negative estate as p
ne sible. This is the course which at OF
% affords the greatest safeguard agar
Z. aggressive and unnecessary war ana
rnrts the most formidable strene
um " hen we must needs meet an enemy
o Chicago Chronicle.
$40, rnrcc