The daily silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1903-1907, 1903-06-25
NATIONAL FINANCES

The receipts of the United States
treasury during the eleven months
ending May 81 were $4,000 900 in ex-
cess OF the expenditures. The excess
will be increased to nearly $50, 000,-
O00 by the end of the fiscal year.. We
always hear much about the large ap-
preparation made by each congress,
and members of the party of the
outs" always make set speeches al
the close of congress arraigning the
ms for extravaganza. These
speeches always deal with the burdens
of government, represented by taxa
ton of the people, to bear the expen-
6~;tures, which they characterize as
~extravagant. But the people seem
hardly conscious of any burden at all.
Indeed, it is probable hat if all Fed
eral taxation were withdrawn the peO-
pie would hardly notice the release
from that which they are told is an
exGction. The distribution of Federal
taxation is so scientifically adjusted,
and seems Il rest so evenly, that in
stead of finding the people clamoring
for less taxes they are found every
where asking for more expenditures
for Federal purposes. In every con-
g%ressional district they are practically
organized to secure appropriations for
Federal buildings, for the creation OF
more judicial districts, for the i'm
prOvement of rivers and harbors, for
better coast d~efenses, for more light
houses and buoys on the coast to
lessen the risk of loss to marine COM
merce, for more and better and costlier
T~aTships, for increase in the person
ne! of the navy. In fact, the people
know that we have a big country, ana
they want in each community as many
evidences of the existence of a great
Federal government as can be secured
by spending money for buildings and
other expressions of hat greatness.
The only Complaints heard are of fail
ure TO secure such expression. In
California we want more than We get
spent on rivers and harbors. The
test of the public wish in the matter
of expenditure will be made when any
candidate for congress goes before the
electors pledging himself to stand for
economy and less taxation by oppos-
ing appropriations for his own dis
trict. Such a candidate will be listed
in the returns among those who "alsc
ran"
If politicians will fully accept the
fact that the people run this govern
ment, and that its expenditures and
cost are of such measure hat the peo-
pie dictate. we will hear less iamboy-
ant talk about economy in the case OF
those public expenditures which the
people demand, and for which no con
gress would dare appropriate in the
absence of such a demand.
1t is especially gratifying now thai
this fiscal year leaves a treasury sur.
plus Of $50. 600, 600. 1t may we'll bt
that in the first half of the mex
fiscal year work will begin on thu
isthmian canal, and the treasury sur,
plus will be in hand to meet the need
ed expenditure. What other nation
could begin such a colossal work will
ready money TO meet its cost? Will
we show a surplus over the year
budget every other nation is agoniz
ing over a deficiency. France face
a deficiency annually. England is dis
cussing additional taxation to NEE
her budget. Germany is strugglin
10 make both ends meet. Italy suffer
an hourly widening of the distance be
tween income and outgo. Austria am
Russia are borrowers to meet curren
expenses. In all those nations tn
people groan under the burdens O
taxation, and those people, by hun
dI eds OF thousands, are putting tn
burden of, deserving their eountr.
and migrating to the United States I
escape taxation. Under such cireum
stances how idle it is to attempt I
make Federal taxation a political is
sue! The instincts of man furnis
the test as to the burdens of govern
ment. If our vel ~yexcessiye immigra