The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1909-03-12

drawn In good faith In accordance
With promises made before the cleo
ton by the party in power. and as
promptly passed as due consideration
will permit. Il Is not that the tariff
is more important in the long run
than the perfecting Of the reforms in
respect to antitrust legislation and
interstate commerce regulation, but
the need for action when the revision
OF the tariff has been determined
upon Is more immediate to avoid en-
Larrassment of business. To secure
the needed speed in the passage of
the tariff bin II would seem wise TO
attempt no other legislation at the
extra session. ! venture this as
suggestion only. for the course in he
taken by congress. upon the call OF
the executive. is wholly within its
discretion.
In the making OF tariff bill the
prime motive is taxation. and the SCI,
curing thereby of revenue. Due
largely to the business depression
which followed the financial panic of
1907. the revenue from customs and
other sources has decreased to such
an extent that the expenditures for
the current fiscal year will exceed re-
ceipts by $1G0.000.000. 1t is imperative
that such a deficit shall not continue,
and the trainers OF the tariff bill must
of course have In mind the total
revenues likely to be produced by II.
and SO arrange the duties as to secure
an adequate income. Should II be
Impossible to do SO by import duties.
new kinds of taxation must be adopt
ed. and among these | recommend
graduated inheritance tax as correct
in principle and as certain and easy
OF collection.
The obligation on the part of those
resronsib for the expenditures made
10 carry on the government to be as
economical as possible. and to make
the burden OF taxation as light as
poss ible. is plain and should be az
firmed in every declaration of gov
eminent policy. This Is especially
true when we are face to face with
heavy deficit.
In the department of agriculture
the use of scientific experiments on a
large scale and the spread OF informa-
| ton derived from them for the i'm
piovement of general agriculture.
| must 60 on.
The importance of supervising busi-
| ness OF great railways and industrial
con bin: tons. and the necessary IN
| vestis alton and prosecution of unlaw-
| full business methods, are another
| necessary tax upon government which
did rot exist half a century ago.
The putting into force of laws
which shall secure the conservation of
our resources. so far as they may be
within the Jurisdiction OF the federal
| government. including the most i'm
| rortant work of saving and restoring
cur forests. and the great improve
ment OF waterways, are all proper
| government functions which mast in
| volve large expenditure If properly
| performed.
| Then, too, there are expenditures OF
| government absolutely necessary IL
our toantry is TO maintain It's proper
| tlace among the nations OF the world.
and Is to exercise Its proper influence
| IN defense Oh its own trade interests.
IN tie maintenance OF traditional
American policy against the colonial
| ion of European monarchies In this
hemisphere, and IN the promotion of
leacc and International morality.
Ie.cr To TIE cost of maintaining Il
| II
able Notifications upon the mainland
of The United States and in its de
Tendencies.
One of the reforms to be carried
cut during the incoming administra.
ton Il n change OF our monetary and
banking laws. so as to secure greater
elasticity N the forms oil currency
available for trade. and to prevent
the Limitations of law from operating
10 increase the embarrassments of a
financial Panic. The monetary com
mission lately appointed is giving full
consideration TO existing conditions
and 10 all proposed remedies, and will
doubtless suggest one that will meet
the requirements of business and oil
public interest.
The incoming congress should
promptly fulfill the promise of the
Republican platform and pass a prop
er postal savings bank bill. 1t viii
not be unwise or excessive paternal
ism.
sincerely hope that the incoming
congress will be alive. as 1t shou,t
be. TO the importance of our foreign
trade and Of encouraging it in ii.
every way feasible.
Tie importance which the depart
I. ment of agriculture and Of commerce,
and labor may play in Kidding the
markets OF Europe OF prohibitions ant
examinations against the importa
tion of our products is fully unias
stood. and il is hoped that the as.
of the maximum and minimum featart
of or tariff law TO be soon passed
will be effective 10 remove many o
those restrictions.
The Panama canal will have a mos
important bearing upon the trade he
tween the eastern and the far western
sections OF our country. and will great
ly increase the facilities for trans
Eortation between the eastern an;
The western seaboard. and may pos
. sibiy reyolutionize the transcontinant
al rates with respect to bulky mar
chardise. II will also have a mos
: beneficial effect to increase the trad,
: between the eastern seaboard of III,