The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-02-06
IMPORTANT FROM WASHINGTON.
THE TARIFF QUESTION,
Meeting Of tina Democratic
Caucus.
PROPOSED REDUCTION OF EXPENDITURES.
INTERESTING DISCUSSION.
Meeting OF the Pennsylvania
Delegation,
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WASHINGTON, Feb. 8, 1859.

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WASHINGTON, Feb. 8, 1859.
o'clock. There were sixty members present-Mr.
Cochrane in the chair, and Messrs. Cavanaugh and
Ruffn acting as secretaries.
The rule limiting debate to five minutes was
adopted.
Mr.. GARNErr, from the Committee on Retrench-
ment, presented only the outline Of report IN
tended to show that the revenue Of the present is
cal year would exceed by several millions the re-
port submitted by the Secretary Of the Treasury,
and made statement showing number OF items
IN the estimates which might be largely reduc- /
ed-among them Hthographng and engraving,
ne binding of public documents, the pub
lie printing, cutting off the Congressional
Globe, the branch mints, the coast sur
vey, &C., reducing the army estimates to the
amount of several millions, and the navy about
Three millions; near two millions by suspension Of
the work on the public buildings; by reduction of
ranking privilege to two ounces; diminishing the
Number of the mail routes to California; making
the ocean mail service selfsustaining; and cutting
off light houses, supporting them hereafter by ton
mage duties.
Mr.. vALLANDIGHAM, member of the same commit
tee poke of the great increase Of public expendi
lures from 1874 to 1858, from twentysix millions to
eighty millions, and the Importance to the country
and the democratic party of an immediate reduc
tion by Congress. The committee were of opinion
that millions could be cut Off He thought, himself,
from fourteen to twenty millions He warned his
democratic friends that they would be held respon
Eble in 1850, and be obliged to answer for it.
Mr.. CRAWFORD, from the same committee, and
member of the Committee of Ways and Means,
presented table of items showing specifically that
In them alone there could be reduction Of upwards
Of ten millions
Mr.. CAvANAusH wanted to know of Mr.. Craw-
5ord i he expected any revenue from public lands
In case the Homestead bill should pass the Senate.
He thought government ought not to look to pub.
Nc lands for revenue at all
Mr.. CRAWFORD said he did not expect that bill
would ever become law.
Mr.. PHELPS advocated all possible reduction of
expenditures but maintained that it was not in the
power Of the Committee of Ways and Means to
effect as much as they would desire. He thought
Mr.. Garnett had over-estimated the amount
revenue; the duties being reduced by the tariff of
1867, a much larger importation would be necessa-
ry to raise revenue equal to that under the tariff
of 1876.
Mr.. STEPHENS, of Georgia, said he did not want to
know how these expenditures had been brought
about. The question they had met to consider was
how they could be reduced, and to what extent.
He thought there might be good many millions
saved Mr.. Crawford's table, he thought, was
accurate, and the reductonlpracticable.
Mr.. srcKLEs said that the estimates had been fur
nished by the heads Of departments, who were re-
sponsble for them, and understood what they
were about. They had no doubt cut them down as
low as possible He did not think that portion of
the members of the House ought to undertake to
revise them He meant no disrespect to others,
but he thought it showed want Of confidence in
the heads of departments.
Mr.. VALLANDIaHAM said the want Of confidence
was not personal but only just such as legislative
bodies ought always to have.
Mr.. BURNETT asked Mr.. Sickles to point out
wherein the committee was wrong.
Mr.. CRAWFORD here offered resolution that the
Secretary of the Treasury be authorized to reissue
ihe twelve million treasury notes. and that any
other deficiency should be supplied by retrench
ment.
Mr.. BURNETT demanded the previous question.
Mr.. srcKLEs denied that the previous question
obtained in caucus
The CHAIR overnled the objection.
Mr.. GRoEsBEcK desired to make remark.
Mr.. BURNETT refused to yield.
Mr.. TAYLOR spoke strongly and excitedly against
cutting off debate.
Much confusion ensued, amid which the previous
question was sustained; but Mr.. Burnett withdrew
it by unanimous consent.
Mr.. GRoEsBEcK then, for the purpose Of avoiding
all feeling upon the subject, moved that the
adjourn sine die, with the understanding that
general conference Of the party should be held
next week.
Mr.. STEPHENS approved Of the suggestion.
The motion was carried and the caucus adjourned
We understand that the committee will reduc
their report to form for publication. Pennnsylva
mia, New Jersey, Connecticut and California we're
not represented. New York was represented by