Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-07-04
Some Revenue Points.

ments of $34,S26,941 the u. S. treasury
surplus for the fiscal year just closed
is s33. ,452.07; which same causes re-
joicing in Democratic circles-until
they are told there Is an actual def
cit of s1,010.05S.Sl. We are glad it is
no worse. The returns from the new
tariff and income tax, in direct reve-
nue., are gratifying; the returns in un-
employment. millions upon millions
of loss in Industrial returns, and lack
of returns for American products are
not SO gratifying.
But speaking of revenue. the reports
of internal SHOULD be INTERNALLY rev.
enue are interesting and, in a meas
ure, gratifying. Reports made public
Thursday by the commissioner show
that receipts for the fiscal year just
closed totalled $S64.069 less than in the
previous year and most of this decline
was due to the marked falling off in
tax collected on distilled spirits. Part
of the great falling off in whiskey tax
is made up in increased sales of beer
and ale, so that the decrease is less
than million-but it is a gain and
shows the tendency of the times.
In connection with this significant
condition Of affairs, it is we'll for the
average voter to recall the claims and
promises of Democracy one year ago.
BY this time the American people were
to be on Easy Street; revenue and the
income tax were to relieve the COM
mon tax payers of much of their
burden and marvellous inflow of for
eign-made goods in competition with
American-made goods, was to sweep
the high cost of living off the face of
this fair country.
Well, we have enjoyed 90 the great
tide of foreign manufactures until our
own mills and shops have been obliged
to close down for lack of orders, and
the common people have little money
with which to buy the cheapest of
goods; we have tried the Democratic
revenue producer and tax reducer, and
it fails to produce or reduce; we have
"watenfully waited" for that "reduc-
promise was the Democratic slogan
two years ago, and about the only
evidence we have had of Ii Is an in
crease of dining-ca meals from 81 to
sL25. -
We have known of the industrial and
consequent business depression in the
eastern states, but We have been told
that central and western states did
not feel it; that the bad conditions we
are feeling are psychological" and
that We'll soon forget our present DIFF
hculties.
But here is poser for these promis-
ers and false prophets. The latest
monthly report of railroad earnings
available are those for the month Of
May. Everywhere railroad earnings,
particularly of great cross-country
systems, is the most accurate index
of a country's business magnitude and
prosperity. At hand are the reports
of four most important Western roads.
The Atchison shows a. decrease in
gross earnings of s4ss,60s, the Union
Pacific loss of $552.000, the Southern
Pacific a loss of 100000. and the Chi
cage & Northwestern a decrease of
$20s,000. AS rates are unchanged a
shrinkage in gross earnings comes
about through loss of trpsfic and the
falling off in traffic in the great Sec
ton of this country traversed by the
railroads named is reliable indication
of dull tines in sections remote from
ether seaboard.
AS result of such things as these a
strong current has set toward the port
of Republican business principles and
efficient handling of public affairs.
Everywhere bankers, merchants, law
yers, farmers, manufacturers, labor
ers and consumers are turning away
from those who promised profusely,
legislated recklessly, and have failed
signaily.
1t is a Republican year because of
these things. None of them can be
denied. The people who see and feel
and understand, can no longer be fool
ed. II is useless for organs 10 sneer