The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-06-16
The Ways and Means Committee Instructed to
Report Separate Bill for the Revision
Of the Whiskey and Tobacco Tax.
Confusion Among the Radical
Leaders.
Proposed Reception Of the Chinese
Embassy by the Senate.

WASHINGTON, June Is, 1868.
Action Of the House on the Tax BilI-ProbabIe
Reduction Of the Whiskey Tax.
The advocates Of pushing the Tax bill complete as
reported from the Committee on Ways and Means,
TO a termination this session are very much ncensed
at the action OF the House to-day in cutting short
their efforts to place the Revenue laws, as they say,
upon better basis. They declare with considerable
emphasis that the country, now aboring under
burdensOme system Of taxation, will not look calmly
upon this action deprving them Of that relief which
was looked for In the new bill. The Committee
on Ways and Means are in such state
OF excitement that they say 1t will take
them longer time to prepare bill the arti-
cles Of whiskey and tobacco than 1t would have
quired to finish the bill reported. 1t is thought,
however, when the committee consider the matter
more deliberately and set to work upon the new duty
devolved upon them by order of the House they will
be able to report In the course OF week or ten days.
There seems to be a general unanmity in favor Of
reduction OF the tax on whiskey to seventy-fve or
nifty cents per proof gallon, Notwithstanding strong
outside pressure to keep 1t up to the present rate.
Distillers from thesWest Urging a Reduction Of
the Tax ON Whiskey.
Delegations OF distlllers from Kentucky, Ohio,
Illinois and Indiana are here urging the Ways and
Means Committee to reduce the tax on whiskey to
nifty cents per gallon. They state TO the committee
that by the reduction OF the tax TO these figures
government would receive from those States
alone more revenue in three months than 1t has
Ceived thus far from the whole United States. At
this price they say 1t would be impossible for Illicit
dstllers to ply their vocation. They further state
that If the tax were reduced government would at
once realize some $40,OO0,OOO from whiskey
now held back from market by themselves and other
large distillers who cannot compete now with Illicit
sell whiskey at low rates. The committee are clearly
Of opinion that the present ~hskey tax should be re-
duced but they have not yet settled the figures to
be Incorporated in the bill before the House.
large amount Of evidence has been produced before
the committee relative to operations OF the whiskey
ring and it has been shown to the satisfaction Of the
committee that there is better chance for frauds
with a tax OF two dollars than with one OF fifty or
sixty cents per gallon.
Failure Of the Resolution to Move the Capital.
The natives OF this unique city were somewhat
exercised to-day to learn the fate OF Logan's motion
TO move the capital from here out West to some
promising prairie in Illinois. For some time past
they have had secret misgivings that the radicals,
being capable OF anything, were also equal to this
tremendous enterprise and now they have prepared
themselves for the surprise OF waking up some fine
morning to see the Treasury, with its precious
wings Of the Capto, he Post and Patent offices, and
all In charge OF John A. Logan, who will be supposed
to occupy position on the top Of the Treasury
pile and deliver the entire national baggage safely
into the hands OF his constituents at Carbonate, the
region OF gas, In the State of Illinois. The motion
failed but the washing will have no taste for
real estate for some time hence.
Movements Of the Chinese Embassy.
The Chinese are feeling the effects of the warm
weather In this locality and to-day they concluded to
indulge in long siesta One or two ventured out,
but Pennsylvania avenue proved too warm for them
and they were glad to take a cool shelter In their
rooms at their hotel No set OF foreigners has ever
been so plagued as the Ceestals for their auto
graphs and all day long they have been occupied in
recording their interesting herogyphics In tea chest
fashion on the immaculate pages Of albums Of all
Sizes However, 1t seems to them a labor Of love,
or otherwise II would be subject OF commssera-
ton. Mr. and Mrs. Burngame, the secretaries and
Captain Dolliver visited the National theatre this
evening and witnessed Ristors performance Of "Sor
Teresa" The Embassy seems disposed TO take rest
for few days longer.
Departure Of the Turkish Minister on n Tour.
Blacque Bey the Turkish Minister, left here this
morning on tour through the northern part OF the
United states and Canada He Will be absent about
three months, and will visit Niagara Falls Chicago,
Canada, Newport and other watering places. Mr..
Baltazzi, Secretary of Legation, will act as Charge
d'Affaires during the absence ofMr. Bacque.
Secretary McCulloch's Retirement Foreshad-
owed.
Rumors OF immediate Cabinet changes have been
70 numerous within the past few months that IL is
almost useless to give them any consideration, but
whispers limiting that an early change will be made
In the Treasury Department. at least, are heard
again from apparently well informed quarters, and
morning journal Of this city, having some repute
an organ OF the White House, is out this morning
with an editorial which 1t is claimed is a foreshad-
owing OF the retirement Of Secretary McCulloch
before the close Of this week.
Reclamation Of Deputy Commissioner Harlan.
designations and rumors Of designations come
thicker and faster. The report passing around
within the past day or two to the effect that First
Deputy Commissioner Of Internal Revenue Harlan
has resigned Is confirmed. Mr.. Harlan resigns,
however on the same conditions adopted by the
Commissioner on the confirmation Of his successor
Reported Resignation of the Chief Of the
Bureau of Printing.
Rumors have been In circulation to the effect that
g. M. Clark, Chief OF the Bureau OF Printing Of the
Treasury Department has resigned his position but
upon inquiry nothing very definite can be ascertained
In regard thereto, excepting that several days ago Mr.
Clark intmated to Secretary McCulloch his readiness
TO resign upon the close Of an examination into the
affairs OF his bureau by special committee to be APP
pointed by the Secretary for that purpose and an
count OF stock duly made and reported. No such COM
mtee has yet been appointed, although It Is believed
that such action win be TAKEN and that Mr.. Clark's
resignation will soon be rendered.
Commissioner Rollins to Reply to Secretary
NlcCulloch.
commissioner Rollins says that secretary McCul-
loch Is in error In believing that he gave copy OF
his letter to the press before 1t was placed in the
hands OF the Secretary, and will at an appropriate
time, answer in full the important parts OF the Sec
retarys last communication.
senator DooIittle Not Connected with the
Chase Movement.
Is not true, as stated that senator Doollttle was
NJ the Chase meeting at Philadelphia, or took any
part In its proceedings. The democratic and con.
seyyajye memhers Of Congress have made him chair