Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-03-05
Facts and speculations.

- Mr.. Wentworth, from the select COM
mittee appointed on his motion, to enquire
into certain charges of corrupt bargains"
between the President and some members of
Congress, has reported that the whole story
was derived from observations made by re-
porters in the gallery. and conjectural infer-
ences drawn therefrom. There was no tos-
timony given rejecting, in the least, on the
integrity of. members. There was not the
least knowledge obtained by the committee
about the reported proposition for reconcilia-
ton between the President and members !;
nor had the committee any reliable expecta-
ton of Obtaining such knowledge Under
these circumstances the committee asked to
be discharged from the further consideration
of the subject The reading of the report
particularly of those parts of it showing the
inability of the committee to discover any
thing Impoverished much amusement on
both sides OF the House.
= The Special Committee of the House of
Representatives to investigate the subject of
alleged "trauds of persons concerned in the
manufacture of distilled spirits, tobacco, CT
gars, &c, and the completely of revenue Off
GERS in these frauds" report, that they are
satisfied from the testimony taken, that in the
manufacture and sale of tobacco, cigars, aud
spirits, and especially the latter, the most stu
pendous frauds are practiced against the gov
eminent In the collection of its revenue In
deed, it is believed that at least seven eighths
OF the entire amount of spirits manufactured
under the present law have escaped taxation.
The committee feel warranted in the assertion
that few, if any, OF the large distilleries in
the United States now in operation, are doing
Legitimate business"
= The Tax Bill has passed the House of
Representatives. The income tax has been
altered so as to levy five per cent. on all in
comes over 81 900, with allowance for house
rent. The tax on whiskey is unchanged at
50 per gallon. Cigars are taxed uniformly
at So per thousand. Though the tax on cot
ton was taken off in committee, it was re.
stored in the House. The bill has yet to re-
celVe the action Of the Senate.
1t is certain that all the argument, and
all the reason, and all the justice, and all the
Constitution, are in opposition to the measures
OF the dominant party in Congressman vet,
by the force of party discipline applied to
numbers, these measures are carried-and
acquiesced in. We begin to perceive the
principle Of Jcar exerting some influence at
the North. They quail there under the ter
ror" of the Radicals. This is one Of the worst
signs of the times.
The Washington correspondent of the
Baltimore Gazette affirms that it is '.publicIy
known" i'll Washington, that Mr. Reverdy
johnson, has urged the President to sign the
Force bill, and advised members Of the House
to vote forit. We are still increduous.
"A dispatch from Richmond dated Feb,
%, says THE Senate'hcId secret session
to-day, on the subject OF calling State Con-
Ventlon. No result was made known,
Tho National IntcMgencer contends that
the new government to be established in the
South. will be the end of freedom in the
North.
The House of Representatives by a vote
of 104 to 35 has rcluse;. to take stems to roo
move the Naval Academy from Annapolis.