lengthens the hours and diminishes the rewards of their labor. I favor
the policy of economy, not because I wish to save money, but because I
wish to save people. The men and women of this country who toil are the
ones who bear the cost of the Government. Every dollar that we
carelessly waste means that their life will be so much the more meager.
Every dollar that we prudently save means that their life will be so
much the more abundant. Economy is idealism in its most practical form.

If extravagance were not reflected in taxation, and through taxation
both directly and indirectly injuriously affecting the people, it would
not be of so much consequence. The wisest and soundest method of
solving our tax problem is through economy. Fortunately, of all the
great nations this country is best in a position to adopt that simple
remedy. We do not any longer need wartime revenues. The collection of
any taxes which are not absolutely required, which do not beyond
reasonable doubt contribute to the public welfare, is only a species of
legalized larceny. Under this republic the rewards of industry belong
to those who earn them. The only constitutional tax is the tax which
ministers to public necessity. The property of the country belongs to
the people of the country. Their title is absolute. They do not support
any privileged class; they do not need to maintain great military
forces; they ought not to be burdened with a great array of public
employees. They are not required to make any contribution to Government
expenditures except that which they voluntarily assess upon themselves
through the action of their own representatives. Whenever taxes become
burdensome a remedy can be applied by the people; but if they do not
act for themselves, no one can be very successful in acting for them.

The time is arriving when we can have further tax reduction, when,
unless we wish to hamper the people in their right to earn a living, we