The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-15
(iIsulafior Statement.
Mckinl-, Prosperity Analysed.

Through Mr.. Ellis II. Roberts, Treas
urer of the United States. the Administra-
tion is eNulting loudly over the nation
financial exhibit. 1t pleases Mr.. Roberts
to observe that the growth and pros
perity of the country and the general as
iivity OF business arc reflected in the
transactions OF the Treasury"
Mr.. Roberts displays an array of Fl gures
THAT are dazzling in their immensi y.
With pride he boasts that the net reve-
nues of the Government for the fiscal
year were the largcs; in the history of
the country. even exceeding those of
1866 the next highest. In 1876 the ma
ton was burdened with an enormous tax
rate tc meet the maturing otligations OF
the costliest war of modern times. The
country's population at that time was not
half as large as it is today. and yet b.
the showing of Mr.. Roberts the net orii
nary revenue iris year exceeds by less
than fft, millions the net ordinary reve-
nue. of 1866 If this comparison denotes
the prosperity of which Mr.. Roberts
boasts. then there is no relation between
governmental income and prosperity.
That is to say. if the capacity Of til poo
pie TO buy is great now as it was in
1856 il should be exhibited in an excess
of revenue much larger than that repre-
scented in the Treasurer's report. The
country is paying a tremendous war tax
now, as it was in the year upon which
the comparison is sed and If its indus
trial activities we're proportionately as
broad and their compensation roportion-
ately as large il is evident that this
would be shown in the volume of revenue.
But in no other feature of Mr.. Roberts
report is the real condition of the country
SO plainly shown as in che exhibit of ex-
penditures for the fiscal year as COM
pared with those of the preceding year.
Expenditures fell off this year only sl17.-
600. geo in comparison with 1899. when the
Government was paving out millions a
day in discharge of debts incurred
through the Spanish war. We have bean
assured ever since the Treaty of Paris
was ra flied that we were at peace wi b
all the world. though the figures show
that our present condition of armed neu-
trality is nearly as expensive as if We hal
rast armies in the field and big fleets of
warships patrolling the seas. Naturally,
since there has been 10 reduction of tax |
aticn. the Treasurer's balance sheet !,
shows a SURPLUS Of revenue over expendi- |
lures. hui the deficit of the previous year. |
which had 10 be met. cut down the sur |
Plus TO less than $50. GOO. goo
After studying his Treasurer's report |
N, 4,Lr 81
nouncenent TO the country of his inten-
tion to ask Congress at its forthcoming
session to lop off war taxes to TIE amount I
of about fifteen millions-a mere bagatelle .
compared with the excess OF revenue
over expenditures. which affords Mr.. Rob
erts his opportunity to fe1icitate the
country upon the evidences of its pros
perity and general business activity"
Still. MIR. Mckinley was pledged by h 8
platform 10 reduce war taxes. and pre-
sumably the people will not only be salts
fed. bur will consider themselves amply
justified in having reelected him if
be charges Congress to remove rom
their backs only fifteen millions of the
load Of war taxes they are
now carrying as the price Of full din
ner pail The Presidents proposed re-
duction NJ taxes represents lass than
twenty-five cents per capita of the pcpu-
laiion. This is something, though. and
means 10 each person in the Republic
about half pound of porterhouse beef
steak at The present trust price of that
article. For this prospect the country
should give thanks.