The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1869-12-02
GheGttelLigrr
GOSSIP PROM wAsHINGrOH.
WASHINGTON. mo. Nov. m,

PROPOSED REDUCTION IN TAXATION,
There 10 o good deal OF talk among
members OF Congress who have arrIv-
ed here.about the general onestIon of
taxation and the revision of tie Internsi
revenue laws. The consolidated law
passed by the House last session 10 now
In the Senate Finance Committe, and In
pretty certain TO be reported for action
In january. Conversation with Con.
gressmen Indicates that there will be
two decided parties In the movement 10
reduce taxes. The Secretary Of the
Treasury ID understood 10 be In favor of
retaining the present rates generally,
for at least another year, and thinks
such a cOurse will be satisfactory to the
country. He believes the people are
willing to pay these taxes, and will
gladly zee the public debt reduced
from one hundred and fifty 10
two hundred millions more before
asking change OF rates. Special
Commissioner Wells 10 understood
10 hold that reduction OF taxa.
ton had best be made this winter; that
the present rates are O great check 10
Industry and commerce, and that relief
10 this direction will helm the country
on TO specie payments. The President
rather sides with those who favor q re-
duction OF taxation at an early day, He
has stated that the present system will
give us such surplus that we can pay
OIL one hundred and tifty millions Of
debt next year, and the drift OF his Ian.
guAge seems TO be that he will be con.
tent with such reduction as pays off
seVenty.hve millions. The estimates at
the Treasury do not look 10 quite so
great surplus as the President thinks
OF, bnt II cannot be less than one hun
dred and eeventy.five millions. 1t Ia
get too early to say how Congress will
stand, but many members appear 10
favor some reduction.
REVISION OF THE TARIFF.
The Ways and Means Committee In
sllll engaged In considering what ad-
ditlonal articles Of Import shall be put
on the free list In their new tariff bill,
and have not yet shown how much
they mean TO raise the duties on other
articles. The theory on which they be-
gin work seems TO be 10 admit tree "A
large number OF things not raised or
made In this country, and used TO but
a limited extent, and increase the rates
on other articles coming into Competi-
tlon with our manufactures. They
have called on the Statistical Bureau
for the returns OF the last fiscal
year on long list OF articles |
Il IL proposed 10 put on the free
list. These returns could not, In
the ordinary course OF business, be |
collected for some months, and \ good |
deal Of extra labor Ii involved In pre-
pairing them at this time. The Commit.
tee will not take much definite action |
till they get these figures, and were In |
session but short tlme, The Chair
man and other members were at the
Treasury long time. What view the |
Secretary willtake on the question vt |
Issue is not yet known. Commissioner
Wells again recommends revision OF
the whole tariff on mere revenue ba.
sis, and among Congressman here there
seems more disposition than heretofore
to hear his argument. It is learned
that the Pennsylvania Protectionists
are preparing TO meet his reports with
facts and figures.
THE CIRCUIT JUDdRsHIPS.
The Attorney General took fall list
Of the candidates for the new Circuit
Judgeship to the Cabinet meeting to.
day, together with letters Of rsoommsn-
dation In each case. Other business |
1t was determined TO hold q special
meeting OF the Cabinet tomorrow to
examine each case and settle the whole
matter II possible. There Is q good
deal OF interest among congressman
and public men from all sections OF the
country In this matter, and many of
them are anxlously trying TO influence
the President In making his selection.
THE CUBAN PETITIONS.
The Cuban Juuta began here to-day
to get signatures to their petitions ask
Ing Congress TO declare for recognition |
OF Cuban Independence. They had
persons circulating them In hotels,
offices, stores, department buildings |
and everywhere about town, and took |
the names OF all who were willing 70 |
alRn. The information ID that they are
going 10 make concerted effort In this |
direction through the country. They |
several OF their leading men In the city,
and undoubtedly mean 10 do what they
can TO worry Congress into early action.
Persons likely enough 10 know, aAy
Cuban bonds are abundant for those
who deal In stocks. 80 d.. a'
THE sI0KLRs DIsFATCH.
The appearance in print OF Minister
Sickles' dispatch to Secretary Flsh, a
few hours after Its receipt, caused great
sarprise ut the State Department. The
fact that Spain was ready to make such
large concessions to Cuba was not
known to the public, but the Govern.
ment has been for Bome time In posses.
sion OF information Of similar tenor.
The city papers treat the dispatch as a
| oh m akn hn ~ In
will trouble the Cuban Junta.
THR SINKING FUND.
The Treasurer Of the United States
now holds SIS, ,47S, 800 In ak per cent
bonds on account OF the regular sink.
ing fund, and the fund is held subject
to the order OF Congress. All who pur-
chased since the 1lth Of May, when the
Secretary Of the Treasury initiated his
new policy. The bonds cost the Cow
eminent SSp,282,27O. The interest on
them gives an Income Of a 52S. .72S per
year to Government, OF which S7O4 3O4
already fallen due, hes been invested
In $787,000 Of bonds which are also
held subject 10 the order Of Congress.
The Secretary, as heretofore announc-
ed, has ordered the purchase Of $lS.-
000, 900 bonds during the month OF De.
| CbulboEV auu ID AlAOAy W. 'eAO AAeto
next May TO have reduced the public
debt in this way at least sl25, 900, 1000.
tRxoHANaINd FIvE.TWENTIBs.
Iuquery at the Treasury Department
brings to light somewhat singular
fact. The clerks In one Of the divisions
have for several weeks been quite busy
In doing the business necessary to the
exchange OF coupon fve.twenties for
registered bonds. This sort OF exchange
ls going on rapidly Of late. The Treas
ury oificials look upon II as \ good
omen, indicative Of increased conti>
| ,lnnna m tho Yan u NJ fha na0nlA