Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1902-08-08
WASHINGTON LETTER.
tFrom our Regular Correspondent

/ NIIOu OuI Uokul8r COrfo6pOnQ6Qt.)
Washington, Aug. 4.-The report
made by Secretary of the Treasury
Shaw for the month of July is In entire
accordance with the predictions made
In these letters some months ago. The
deficit for the month was a little over
81 100000 Some Of the best inform
ed officials of the Department place the
deficit for next month at $4,000, OO(
and predict that they will increase
continuously from that time on. While
the cause Of this deficit is partially due
to the repeal Of the war revenues taxes,
1t is even more due to the high tariff
which has resulted in a falling off OF
imports and proportiOnate decrease
In customs receipts. It is claimed that
inside knowledge of the affairs of the
government prompted Secretary Shaw,
at the last minute. to throw the weight
OF his influence in favor Of the tariff
revision plank in the Iowa platform,
for he has come to appreciate that a
reduction of the duties will increase
imports and more revenue will be paid
into the treasury. On the other hand,
now that Iowa has declared her senti-
ment In favor of revision, there is like
ly to be an effort On the part of the ad-
ministration to belittle the Importance
OF the Iowa declaration. Past expert
ence has taught the treasury officials
that the prospect of tariff reduction is
invariably accompanied by reduction
OF imports as the importers reduce their
orders to the smallest possible figure
in order not to be caught after the
change with goods on their hands on
which they have paid the higher rate
OF duty. Such reduction of imports
would 80 far curtail the receipts of the
government as to seriously jeopardize
existing prosperity and would doubt
less result In Democratic landslide
In 1904. The hope of the administra-
lion is to mislead the people into the
belief that the Republicans are in earn
,st In their promises of tariff reform:
20 make the merchants and importers
believe that there will be no tariff re-
1uction, and, at the same time, to de-
rise some means of remedying the evils
# the present high tariff, in so far as
Is tendency to reduce customs receipts
concerned. The problem is not an
asY one, and It's solution will require
II the political and economic acumen
7hich Mr.. Roosevelt and his advisors 1
an summon. In the meantime. the
democratic leaders are contemplating &
ne Situation with certain grave satis.l
action. They deplore the prospect of | q
hard times" and the suffering to the
DOR which it will imply; nevertheless.
ley appreciate that it will take bit .
II lesson to teach many of the Repub. a
cans the fallacy of the policy of the Fl
AS heretofore announced. no Iitera. -
re is to be sent out in any quantity
the Republican Committee. That W
appreciates the danger of N
mmitting itself on paper Mr.. Roose- IN
IL will be urged to keep the public al
terested in bis mysterious plans for lC,
ntrolilng the trusts while the other sr
'ders OF the party solicit campaign I'll
nds and will assure the trust mag We
ties that the Presidents utterances he
all tor political effect because the | an
pected public must be fooled to keep ex
'ontented. Mr.. Littlefield will nlav Of