The Portland daily press., 1868-05-13
WASHINGTON.



WASHINGTON, Nav 12-Mr. Schenck from
tile Committee on Ways and Means reported
to the House bill to reduce INTO one act ana
amend the laws relating to internal revenue
taxes The Internal Revenue Bureau is TO be
changed to a department; the Commissioner
has complete power to appoint or to remove
all subordinate officers; the department. is to
be divided into different divisions with a chief
to each. The most marked change in the old
laws is in regard to distilled spirits, the pro-
visions guarding against fraud being more
stringent, leaving but little to the discretion of
the courts. The tax remains as now, 50 per
gallon, the tax in all cases to be paid at the
dlstlllery by means of stamps; all kinds of beer
81 per barrel; snuff of all kinds 40 cents per
pound; chewing tobacco and on all smoking
tobacco not made exclusively of stems 40 cents
per pound; smoking tobacco made exclusively
OF stems and all made of refuse 16 cents per
pound; on cigarettes, cigars and cherootes OF
all kinds, made of tobacco or any other suDstl-
tute therfor $40 per thousand, transportation
in bond except for expectation forbidden. The
tax ON imitation wines remains substantially
the same as in the old law. Nothing about
iron or coal. The tax on gas is reduced from
% cents per thousand to 10 cents. The tax ON
refined petroleum is kept at 10 cents per gal
!. Ion. Places OF amusement, in addition TO
per cent, are to pay specific tax on each per-
Torrance from So to SO, according to sitting
capacity There are but few alterations in the
law relating to incomes Manufacturers are
exempted from taxation in accordance with
ohO law passed. several weeks ago. line TAX on
ground coffee and spice; is retained.
TRIAL OF sURRATT.
In the Criminal Court of this district, Chief
Justice Carter presiding, the case of John H.
Surratt was called up this morning. The num-
Der OF spectators present were very few, none |
OF the excitement which attended the former |
trial manifestng itself on this OCCASION The |
prisoner was brought into the Court room |
about haf-past 10 and seated near his counsel,
Messrs. Merrick and Bradley, Jr. James H.
Bradley, counsel for the defence on the former
trlal, was present as advisory counsel. The |
United States was represented by Mr. CARING
ton, District Attorney, Mr.. Wilson, Assistant |
District Attorney, and A. G.. Riddle associate
council. Judge Black, who has been men,
toned as one of the counsel for the defence,
was was not present, nor was Judge Pierpont for
the Government. Upon the case being called |
Mr.. Carrlngton stated that he was ready to
proceed odraw a jury and commence the trial.
when Mr. Merrick said that from conversation
he had with Judge Pierpont shortly after the
oath of April last, the time which had been set
TOR the trial, he had become impressed with
the idea that the time should lie continued |
and the defence had laid aside its preparations
not expecting it would be proceeded with at
this term.
Mr.. Darlington had not heard of any agree
ment, and said it never was his intention or
desire to continue the case. He had been ex-
ertng himself to get ready by to-day, and was
anxious to swear the jury and proceed with
|
unless good reasons were presented.
Alter some further discussion by COUNSEL the
Court stated its disposition to let the case go
over to the next term, owing to the fact that
conversation had been had by prominent coun-
sci ON both sides, and an agreement made by
them not to proceed, by which the defence are
now unprepared to enter upon its trial.
Mr. Merrick then entered a motion to admit
the prisoner to bail, stating that any reasona-
BILE amount was ready to be offered. He pro-
ceeded so argue in behalf of his motion, and
subsequently it was determined by the Court
to hear the arguments from counsel on the
motion Tomorrow morning. and the witnesses
in the case were discharged until further no
Ace.
THE RESIGNATION OF COL. FoRNEY.
Col. Forney has rendered his resignation as
Secretary of the Senate, to take effect upon
the election of his successor. His letter to
this effect was placed in the hands of Senator
Wade last night. The principal reason for this
course is, as he states to his friends, that he
may not be restrained by official position from
commenting on the course of those Republi-
can Senators who do not sustain the conyic-
ton OF the President.
ILLICIT DIsTILLERIEs.
The United States Marshal for st. Louis dis
trict has applied through the Commissioner of
Internal Revenue for force of cavalry to as
sist the Government authorities in arresting
distilers who are engaged in violating the tax
laws.
PATENTS.
For the week ending the 10Th inst. 240 pa
tents will be issued from the Patent Office
During the past week 254 applications and 103
caveats were filed.
ADJOURNMENT OF THE COURT OF CLAIMS.
The Court of Claims has adjourned uutil the
first Monday in june Judge Mott has, in the
meantime, been empowered to proceed to
Charleston and Savannah with view to veri-
fly the dispositions of witnesses in the cotton
cases.
DAY OF FASTING AND PRAYER,
The general conference of the Zion (colored)
Church has appointed Friday as day of fast
ing and prayer to God to aid the Senate to
give a verdict in aid of suffering humanity