The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-11-23

coasts of the British provinces OF America,
and the free navigation OF the ST. Lawrence
River from its source to the sea.
The demagoguism which passed the eight
hour law just before the elections, year ago,
is shown up by the administration even in its
practical enforcement. The workmen on the
New York postofice arc laboring ten hours
each day, and when the trades unions COM
plain to the Treasury Department, which con-
trolls it, they are answered by Secretary Bout
well that the government employs contractors
only. and that the latter employ the laborers
As nearly all of the work of the government
outside of the navy-yards is done through the
contract system, the workingmen are making
a very pertinent inquiry into the way in which
the eight hour law benefits them. They have
already drawn up memorials and bills which
thew intend to ask Congress to act on the very
first week of the session. The law applies now
.to all laborers engaged on public works" :"
and in the New York postoffice case the ad-
ministration petifogs the matter.
A telegram from Washington, in the Balti-
more Sun of yesterday, says that Senator
Sherman, who is here, ''is busiy engaged in
preparing bill tor funding the public debt,
which he will present early in the coming ses-
sion. The bill will embrace all the features OF
the bill introduced by him during the last ses-
sion, with the exception of the rate of interest
at which the debt is to be funtled. 1t is said
this will be lower than was previously contem-
plated by Mr.. Sherman" This is wholly incor-
rect. Mr.. Sherman, as chairman of the Senate
Finance Committee, is not preparing new
bill. On the contrary, he intends to press to
vote the funding measure which the committee
agreed on at the last session, and so far from
the rate of interest being lower than the old
bill, it is Mr. Sherman's opinion that it will
have to be fixed higher than four per cent.
The exact figure he has not agreed on, and
will not until the message and financial report
are before Congress.
The income tax expires next year, and yet
the Treasury and Revenue Bureau will sub
stantially recommend its re-enactment In
| their forthcoming reports. Why this burden
should be continued when it could be reduced
to two per cent. and twenty millions collected
from an efficient enforcement, is hard to see.
Five per cent on the net income of every in
dividua is tax that is not demanded by the
condition of the Treasury, and cannot be de-
Tended on the principles Of equitable taxation.
The estimate of internal revenue from all
sources for the fiscal year ending June 80,
1870, is sl40, ,O0o, 900, and yet the prospect Is
that the aotual result will be from thirty to
forty millions more, which is just so much
capital taken from the business interests of
the country. If the result exceeds the esti-
mate, taxes should be reduced.
The Masonic fraternity Of this District are
in O Hourishlng condition. They have just
completed a magnificent temple, at the
corner of Ninth and streets, which is
to be inaugurated on December lst. The
building is three deep stories in height,
the first floor being built of Quincy
granite, and the other two stories of Seneca
stone, with window caps elaborate with Ma
sonic designs. Besides the regular halls for
the use of the lodges, there is large audience
room, with st4ge, dressing and retiring rooms,
suitable for theatrical entertainments, lectures,
&c.. With, perhaps, a single exception, 1t is
the handsomest public building in the District
outside Of the government structures.
| Hoar goes out of the Cabinet on January lst
and on to the Supreme Bench-at least his
friends say that Grant has promised him that
| important vacancy. IETA.