The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-02-22
CONGRESSIONAL.
spEECu OF THE HON ANDREW JOHNSON

lsi7-ln Committee OF the Whole on the state OF tn
Union, on the civil and diplomatic appropriation bill
and against taxing tea and coffee.
Mr. Johnson said He agreed with the member VIII
had lust taken his seat Mr. WENTwoRrHl in many o
the conclusions he had come 10 in relation TO taxing
and coffee Yet he mir was of the opinion that he
could satisfy the member from Illinois, the House, an,
The whole country, that the Executive and the Secretary
Of the Treasury against taxing tea and coffee this
time He said he happened TO be one OF those unfortu
nate or fortunate members, as the case may be, who
were opposed to evylng tax tea and coffee. Levy
ing a tax on those articles of daily consumption by the
great mass OF the people, involved principle that he
was not prepared al the present time 10 sanction by his
vote But TO make himself more Ineligible upon this
point he would be compelled To- retrospect little In
1892 during the administration of General Andrew Jack
son coffee was made free OF duty, and remained in the
free Ist till 1871 :when General Harrison was elected
President of the United States. AT the called session oil
ISL the wing party found It necessary provide means
promise upon the statute book which had been passed in
1888 10 the Union from dissolution Under the ope
ration OF this act the duty was running down to twenty
per cent leaving large deficit IN the treasury TO be sup
Piled from some other quarter. This compromise had
been held sacred from IT'S adoption up to that point OF
tme-ne:ther party daring 10 disturb the principles
established in the law. 1t will be remembered by the
House and the country, how important the compromise
was held by Mr.. Clay on It's very passage.
Mr. j. here read the following extract from Mr. Cay's
speech the passage OF the compromise bill, in 1888:
''Bu rtle measure should be carried by the common
Of both parties we shall have all security History
will faithfully record the Transaction narrae under what
stances the blu passed that
measures that it was oil poured from the vessel Of the
Union, 10 restore peace and harmony to the country When
all is was known, what Congress, what Legislature would
the glaanteel What man, who is entitled to deserve
the character Of an American statesman would stand up in
his place either House OF Congress, and disturb the
" of peace and anity.''
MIR had merely read this extract to show the solemn
circumstances under which it passed By the operation
of this act the receipts into the treasury falling many
millions short annually of the eypendituresthe
gradually declining the expenditures gradually ncreas
ing. This the condition of our finances at the extra
session of 1871. In this condition OF public affairs it
became necessary TO repenish the treasury from some
quarter other The necessities of the treasury
urgent the one hand, while II equally important
the other to preserve the compromise sacred and
impaired Under these circumstances, the House OF Rep
resenatves passed tariff BILL levyng tax many
tlcles in the free list, embracing tea and coffee. The bill
passed the House in this form by whig votes democrats
voting against IT, The bill then went TO the Senate Mr.
SAID the House would bear mind that, previous to
action being had upon this bill by the Senate the bill au-
thorzng the Secretary of the Treasury to borrow upon
the credit of the government twelve millions of dollars
had passed, and become the law OF the land 1t will also
be remembered that the bonds of the government had
been hawked and peddled, not only in the cities
OF the United States but in the great marts OF Europe,
without being able TO effect loan for single doarthe
treasury empty very great extent and the government
without credit at home abroad.
Mr. j. said he had made this depression for the purpose
OF showing the mpeous necessity at that period of time
one did or could exist for taxing tea and coffee,
to save the credit OF the government and prevent inter-
ference with the compromise If there ever could be
combination OF circumstance making usIabe to tax
was empty, without regard to what made 1t the
cessy to supply the deficit great time is
at another. Government can no more exist in time of
peace without money, than il time of war Money,
money, is the Likelihood and soul Of government In fine,
is the government itself, and without there no gov
eminent in fact
1t under those circumstances, in 1871, at the
called session OF the federal party that they proposed
fax tea and coffee Mr. r. ]. Walker then senator
IN Congress, the Secretary of the Treasury He,
~ thpI tod
IN the list of free articles and was claimed at the time
as great democratic triumph AT the next session of
Congress Mr., Walker so much opposed to taxing
the necessaries of life, while the tariff bill was under
consideration, he offered amendment to the bill pro-
posing to tax gold and silver plate Mr. j. here read the
amendment referred to- as follows:
And further enacted That, from and after the passage
OF this act there shall be collected by the marhas in the
several districts OF the United States, under such regula
tons as shall be prescribed by the Secretary of the Treas
ury annual of 20 per ad valoren on all gold and
silver ware, exceeding in value fifty dolars and all
Where the mnrslals shall not themselves collect this duty,
they hereby authorized to employ the assessor collector
sheriff, in each Of the counties or parishes
OF The several States TO aid them in collecting said tax and
compensation OF Que per cent shall be allowed for The
amount OF tax collected and paid under the provisions
OF tins act"
Mr.. Walker had proved he said, in the course of his
remarks upon the amendment that there was i'm the Uni
led States some hundred and sixty millions of dollars
worth OF gold and silver ware which would, at the per
cent proposed in the amendment, create thrtytwo
millions of revenue Mr. J. SAID by the permission of
the House he would read one or two extracts from the
speech OF MIR Walker He then read as follows:
M IN reply TO the question OF the senator, asking him
whether he was serious in his proposition, he would say
maj The senator would day find that the people were
iefon enough IN their conviction of It's expedency Since
he hrSt offered this proposton four months ago, an
amendment To another BILL he had received more letters
nom different parts Of the country expressing appreciation
OF his object than before relation to any other meas
ne; aud he had received the testimonials several public
meetings.
THE senator had spoken of mercy to the old women
asked the senator why lie had himself been merci-
III and why he had voted for her tea and coffee
ne senator would tax her accommodating which she
winch sie could seldom atord-come in free orduy She
nd use china eapots, and dispense with her gold and
ye vessels, but could do without her coffee and tea
Mho' thgni was m favor OF taxing the poor-he senator
W himself In order TO satisfy the senator he would so
Toh Bold and silver plate exceeding fifty doaysYns But
,S Ia ady my s'il hays finder this provision cx
cpt indeed it. h., rom The very rich Those in moderate
rcumstanees, rather dian pay the tax, would have her
ware converted into coin"
Mr.. J. continued, by saying that thus far it would
seem that the Secretary of the Treasury opposed TO
taxing tea and coffee He then called the attention OF
the House to Mr. Walkers report recently made to Con-
gess from which he read the following extract;
"Annexed (marked @ is a table OF the mp ports OF tea
and coffee from 1921 to 1876 1t will be perceived
linn the IMPORTS of tea being l6 S9l 02O pounds consumed
in The United States the last fiscal year amounted to the
value OF 7 and of coffee, being l2i36,O5i pounds
Of the value OF $7,S02,S9i, making an aggregate OF $il
s6 23l-a duty OF ~ per cent on which would ycd an
annual revenue of Sl946 jjT IS. After making inl al
owance tor decreased consumption ON account OF the uu
ties the additional annual revenue rom TINS source llH
be safely estimated ut S2,50OOOo - -;
"rhis dnty however, would be rendered nugatory IN
several years, unless were imposed during very
ary period of the session, and go into effect al e nor
later If possible, than the first OF January next Between
that date aud early in the spring large imPofh
lions of tea and, extent OF cohee, are proghtno
country and ought be subjected to the duty IN order
that revenue should be raised from such imports this -
later period the tax will operate as an enhanced price
Tl