Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-01-10
CAPT. 4. w. Chiffon,
Recording Secretary.
= Special Dispatch to the baltimore sun.
FROM WASHINGTON.

FROM NAsAINGTON.
Interesting Views OF Congressmen--Im-
| poFtant Legislation Expected-The HI
names and Taxation-cpiniOns in Re
| gard to the Currency and Contraction
Reduction OF Taxation-E hisEsey Petit
tions, &c.
WASHINGTON Jan. 81 is expected that
Congress, after reassembling tomorrow,
will at once get to work earnestly and, it is
hoped, patriotically, upon the measures al
| ready proposed, and others contemplated,
to relieve the country from the CONNER
cial and financial disorders which prevail or
threaten.
Members o. Congress just returned from
the holiday visit to their homes report that
they have been urged by their constituents
10 use their best efforts to Immediately
perfect the necessary legislation on ques-
tions Of finance and taxation, to the end
that these may be speedily and wisely set
tied, not only in obedience to the emer-
gency of the times, but as well that these
grave matters may be determined before
the Presidential election, and thus keep
them as free as possible from party politics.
These members represent that recently
some modification in sentiment has taken
place on the propositions to increase paper
dlll W COutILCG luG same, the
frst-increase of currency-being urged
less, and the contraction-scarcely
at all that the proposition to tax Govern
ment bonds has grown in favor; that the
mode and time Of paying these bonds is
engaging the earnest consideration of the
people ; that there is well-defned division
OF opinion-except in cases where the law
in express language on this subject directs
the payment in coin-and it is difficult to
determine whether there is majority in
favor OF redeeming these obligations in
currency. Some also represent that there
is not such earnest and active opposition to
the National Banks as was manifested at
the commencement of the November session
Of Congress.
But above al other questions upon which
the people express solicitude, that of tax
alton is, probably, foremost. Tho reduc-
ton Of the aggregate sum collected about
five hundred millions) is advised, and the
popular idea seems to be that it should be
fixed, as an experiment for the present at
least, at three hundred million dollars 1t
is also advised that the number Of taxabable
articles be greatly reduced; that the cotton
tax should be at once repealed; that the il
como tax IS Odious and inquisitorial and
should be abolished that the tax on dis
TILED spirits should be greatly reduced,
ooiAAC G5AbS GhGAvJ, OtLSAS IIAbJ CCAiS per
gallon. They say that there is an almost
unanimous belief among intelligent com
mercial men that the present tax upon
spirits can never be collected, because it is
so dlsproportionate to the cost Of produc-
ton, and that this tax results in q prOhibi-
ton upon fair and open business. Such is
substantially the information your CORES
pondent has to-day obtained in converse
tions with congressman fresh from confer
encC with their constituents.
Upon the subject Of tax on whiskey there
are memorials here, to be presented this
week IN the House, which agree with the
views above presented. and one of these
memorials (from the Cincinnati Chamber
OF Commercc) recommends the abolish
ment OF bonded warehouses;, and the collec.
ton OF the tax at the distillery, and to fix
the tax at fifty cents per gallon.
These recommendations coincide with
those OF the spirit convention held here
last month, and seem to meet with general
approval, except from the whiskey ring
and persons engaged in illicit diStillation.
The members OF the spirit convention APP
pear to be anxious to Cooperate with Con
gress IN the adoption of q law which shall
embrace the essential points set forth
above, but there is powerful whiskey
ring here who are exDeuding large sums to
prevent amy modification or change of the
present tax on spirits, or in the mode of
cOllucgmg the revenue. DATA