Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-12-15

burning cities and villages, for practically
capturing merchant vessels anu numbering
their crews, and for a system of murder,
arson and robbery, and plunder of peacea-
BILE and unarmed citizens of the United
States; and, whereas, the people of the Brit
ish provinces seem disposed to protect these
thieves, robbers, incendiaries, pirates and
murderers, not only in their individual ca
pacities, but by the bubbles of the law;
therefore,
Resolued, That the committee on Military
Affairs be directed to inquire into the eX-
pediency of enlisting an army corps to
watch and defend our territory bordering
en- the lakes and the Canadian line, from all
hostile demonstrations and incursions.
Mr.. Johnson-I object to the resolution.
The President pro tem-The resolution
will lie over, objection being made.
Mr.. Chandler-I had hoped there would
be no objection to it. | will now offer
another resolution, which / ask to be re-
ferred to the committee on Commerce. The
resolution was received, and is as follows:
WHEREAS, At the commencement of the
present rebellion the United States were at
peace with all the Governments in the
world, and on terms of comfy and good
will with Great Britain; and, whereas, that
nation, before the arrival on her soil of our
Minister accredited to the Administration of
President Lincoln, precipitately acknowl-
edged the rebels as belligerents, thus re-
cogniz,ng their flag upon the ocean, with
out which recognition 1t would have been
regarded and treated as piratical by all 9TH
er powers; and, whereas, she then pro-
claimed perfect neutrality between repub-
lie with which she had entertained friendly
relations forupwards of half a century, and
its reasonable subjects; and, whereas,
mn nj
knowledge of her authorities, commenced
fitting out fast sailing vessels loaded with
munitions of war for the purpose of rum
ming into our blockaded ports for the rebels,
thus furnishing them the means of Or
ganizing and continuing the rebellion, and
| without which it could not have sustained
| itself for six months; and, whereas, in ad-
dition to the above, and with the knowledge
of the Government, British subjects and
members of Parliament engaged in the
manufacture of piratical English ships,
owned by British subjects, manned by
British seamen and sailing under British
colors, for the purpose of burning destroy
ing and utterly driving from the ocean all
peaceful vessels sailing under the United
States flag; and, whereas, many private
unarmed American ships have been burned
and destroyed by these pirates from Eng
lish ports, thus causing great loss and
damage to the citizens of the United States;
therefore e.
Resolced, That the Secretary of State be
instructed to make out n list of each cargo
thus destroyed, with fair and separate val
uation, and interest at the rate of six per
cent. per annum from date of capture or
destruction to the date of presentation, and
that he be directed to demand from the
British Government payment in full for all
ships or cargoesVlestroyed as aforesaid.
Mr.. johnson objected to the resolution,
which lies over.
Mr.. Doolittle wished to have the resolu-
ton in relation to taxation, offered by him
Monday, taken from the table and referred
to the committee on Finance.
Mr.. Doolittle sad | desire to call the
attention of the members of the committee
on Finance to the special points mentioned,
without at all entering into discusson.-
| The resolution instructS the committee to
inquire into the propriety of tax on all
sales of both real and personal property ac-
cording to the best estimate that can
be made. The smallest amount that would
be produced by this tax would be seventy
five million dollars year. 1t not only
proposes tax upon sales actually made
but upon all who sell stocks gold and pro-
duce. 1t will have more of restraining
clleCL Oll speCuliJloIl Ill Sulu GlldH dlly Solu
bill which can be passed, which shall make
it a penal offense to sell gold in the market
or make any distinction between gold and
paper currency. 1t also proposes that the
committee shall inquire into the prOpriety
of adding tax of 25 per cent. to all the
railroad fares of the country, including
street railroads, steamboats, and ferries,
making such companies tax-gatherers for
the benefit of the Government. There is a
source of income and revenues which
is the most Immediately accessible of
any which the Government can lay
hold of, which would be received in
large quantities from powerful companies,
whose revenues would become immense.
This is the time when we should seize hold
of these means which will produce revenue,
for the money we must have. Another
point in the resolution is simply to inquire
whether it is not best to prevent the organ
ization of any new banking companies al
lowing at the same time those banks now
in existence to withdraw their circulation
and to go into operation under the general
banking law.
Mr.. Doolttle then explained the fourth
provision of his resolution in reference to
the substitution of other interest bearing
notes for those now in circulation.
Mr.. Sherman-Before vote is taken 1
| WOulu llhc W SHY u WOIu VI bWO. L nave
no objections to the reference of the resolu-
tion, but will state that the committee of
Finance have already this subject under
consideration, as recommended by the Sec
retary of the Treasuryin his annual report,
and by the President of the United States
in his annual message. All the points at
issue will be considered in the committee,
without any resolution on the subject.
Mr.. Sherman explained further, that
while it was well enough for Senators to
express anxiety ON the subject, all bills to
raise revenue must originate in the House
of Representatives. The Senate should re-
member that at the last session it passed
resolution for a special income tax, and
the House sent it back on the ground that
all such measures should originate in the
House. IIe thought that this resolution
would create a controversy with the House,
which he desired to avoid. The Senate
must await their action.
| Mr.. Brown-I have no objection to the
reference of this resolution to the committee
on Finance, if it was introduced simply for
setting forth the views entertained by the
Senator from Wisconsin (Mr. Doolittle), of
indicating the direction in which he thought
inquiry should be made; but if it is going to
that committee by general consent, and is to
be taken as any indication that the Senate
concurs in the suggestions made shall for
one say that L differ very widely in regard
to the policies he has indicated and the eff
fects to follow from that which he seems to
anticipate. l will add but one more word,
and say this: That think the gentlemen
are perhaps mistaken in regard to the ex-
tent to which taxation can be carried, and