Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-12-25
Tuatrbman & state journal.
BYE.P. WALTON
MONTPELIER, DECEMBER %. 1868.
AFFAIRS IN WASHINGTON.

AFFAIRS IN WASHINGTON.
Internal 1ores
Tho Report Of the Commissioner Of In
ternal Taxos (Mr Lewis Of Pas is very full
and very fair. The receipts have failed ma
terially of coming up to the expectations Of
the trainers Of the act. The actual receipts
for the year ending Sept l,is63, we're SAL.
4S9 i73 and adding amounts supposed to
be in the hands Of collectors, he total csli.
mated amount for the year is sos O00, 900 -
As this is less Than half Of the amount anti
cipated. it will be necessary to increase the
revenue from this source byi increased taxes,
and much Of the report is given to this topic
We have Already noted the proposed increase
on liquors. tobacco, and petroleum. In adj
dition, the commissioner proposes tax Of
80 cents per bushel on malt, or an increase TO
8 so per barrel on malt liquor lie also
proposes a tax on MINERAL and soda water,
/ dogs, diamonds, gold watches, pianos, thread
and yarn, boards, shingles, brick, plaster,
tiles, inks, maps, periodicals. aud auction
sales. lie proposes an increase on notes, in
land bills, drafts, orders, mortgages and
bonds, and an increase Of stamp duties gem
orally and an increase Of two per cent. ON
general manufactures. But with this increase
the Commissioners is careful 20 regard the in-
terests Of the Taxpayers, and evidently en-.
deavors to arrange the burden as we'll as he
can consistently with the amount of revenue
required. The cost Of collecting the tax has
been fraction over 6 per cent. Of the amount
received. This is less, we apprehend, than
was generally expected and yet it can prob
ably be reduced. Alterations in the mode Of
compromising assessors and collectors are
sugges ed, which ate designed not only to
better equaize the pay, but, as to collectors
in large revenue districts, to increase the a.
mount collected. Where assessors and col
loctors reach the maximum of compensation
by commissions on the amount collected they
have no personal or pocuniary inducemeut to
enlarge the revenue, and changes are recon-
mended to meet this condition Of things.
D,bate IN The Senate.
/ Mr.. Davis OF Kentucky doubtless feels
bound, as usual, to do about half Of the talk
ing OF the whole Senate. So he began early
and zoalously, donouncing the Administra-
ton in round terms. Davis thinks the Com
stitution has been torn to rags, and-the god
dess Of Liberty driven out Of the capitol with
out shirt to her back. Yet it is very clear
that it is the danger to SLAVERY, not Liberty,
that so strangely affects him MIR. Hale ftly
responded to this attack, for Hale's fashion
of talking fits the case but most satisfactory
to every body was the reply Of Reyerdy John
son of Maryland. An old Senator of an old
slave state--a Senator distinguished among
conservative men-fully and ably defended
the course Of the Pres dent and especially in
the sorest point to Davis--,hat is, the use Of
slaves in the army. We quote a part Of the
speech which touches the whole slave ques-
ton
It might be admitted he thought that In ihc eye Of
the constitution SLAVES properly IN those state. where
they are 50 heidi but IN are persons also. kepfc
alton IN Congress is based the fact that they
persons. Though slaves they are mem They owe allie
glance by b' and though The sUpt"ns Court mas de.
Z
that court, they not citizen, IN relation To other
clauses Of the Institution u may be far different They
have the protection nf the Rnvernneut certain
tent least, aud Why should they not contribute its de-
feuce A. property they may be- taken Tor the public
use ON compensation TO their owners being made As
] 70 me fnmP hsSioh' some complaints hNd been made,
and justly, perhaps as the Senator thought no fesard
TO the uann'r IN which the law HAD teen executed by
some NJ the agents II thc government The however,
should induce The Co MA his voice in Oh
Senate his OUT NJ TO wcaken embarrass the
government in its efforts u suppress IN, rebellion -
he attfh rff he
full extent, then inquiry might aud would be made into
all such matters As 10 the sAvc himself compensation
dycsted the Of all his rights, and conveyed them
10 the public Tie lMr Johnsoul had doubted tha,
the employ Of the slave 10 the military service ui
the country rp4ot 'Eto emsnepatod hun II would be
dsgracef alter the employment Of cploted men de
ieud ITS existence, that this government should pcrni,
them 10 return tn slavery He thanked God they never
could be re-cnsavcd II gave him pleasure o. femen,-
Der that when hr formerly had he honor ~ occupying
scat this floor, in 1877 he declared in deb,ie upon
the SUBJECT OF slavery that 1t wrong system.
morally and politically, AID especially economical, -
SLAVERY iudefensibe, The people NJ this country
were rapidly bee ming wiser on this subject.
Measures proposed.
As usual a, the opening OF Congress, = large
number OF measures has been proposed, nine
tenths Of which will lie and die in committee
! many Of them good measures, too. Among
the bills, we observe one by Senator Foot, for
the Northern Pacific Railroad one by Soma
tor Wilson, changing the exemptions Of the
conscription act, aboli,hing the two cla-srs a
enrolled men, and apportioning the draft ac-
cordiug 20 the population capable Of bearing
arms--and another bill changing bounties and
increasing the pay Of the army;
Resolutions.
Mr. Rollins Of Mo. introduced resolutions
on the war, somewhat like Criitendens. which
were not adopted. but subsequently Mr. Smith
of KY introduced series
LIST. That the war must be vigorously pros
ecuted till the constitution and laws are obey
ed in all parts of the country, declining all
propositions of peace so long as rebel is
found in arms, and declaring that there are
only two parties-patriots and traitors. Mr..
Cravens of Ind. (dem.) moved to lay this on
the table, and the motion was lost, ayes 60,
noes 90 ; and the resolution was then adopt
ed. SO to "a.