The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1869-10-06
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.

WASHINGTON, u u, sept "a, IOoS.
Some few weeks ago rnmor was
started that Congress intended to in
crease the tax on wliiskey at the next
session of Congress. The rumor was
apparently so well authenticated that
/ had no hesitation in declaring it true.
Believing the rumor true a large num-
Der of prominent members of the whis-
ky ring out west who arc noted for
their shcewdness, commenced to buy
largely of the best brands, for the pnr-
pose of profitting by the rise 2 1t is
now said that the committee of ways
and means have decided after long in
vestigation to still further reduce the
tax, believing that such policy would
raise larger tax for the amount of
revenue than by increasing the tax on
| it. Now the statement as first made
was that it WAS seriously contempla-
ted to reduce the income tax, the de-
ficiency thereby would be made up by
ducing the latter the inference may be
made that Congress intends raising the
former. But the truth is that our emil
nently wise and polite Federal Legis-
lators have no intention ofretucing the
Income tax, while it does mean to raise
the whiskey. This late denial is made
simply for the purpose of soaring off
others who wish to buy, in anticipa-
ton of an increase of tax, of course an
additional tax, will break up the small
Ter dealers. thus puttingthe whole bus
mess in the hands ofthc few, and open
the way to immense frauds on the Rev
cnue which will inure to the benefit of
the political thieves that now infest the
country. The Administration is CIV
I! ing practical evidence that it is in ia
vor of reputation, when reputation
does not affect its own members. Last
winter, it will be remembered that
Congress appropriated twenty five
thousand dollars to pay DR.. Alexander
Dunbar, the veterinary surgeon for in
structing the veterinary surgeons and
farriers of tho Army in the treatment
of horses hoofs, he having discovered a
new and superior style of so doing.
But few days ago the accounting off
Ger of the Quartermaster's Department
offered him trifle over 10000 dollars,
or little over two fifths of the actual
Indebtedness, if the Doctor would sign
| a receipt in full for the sum appropria-
ted. This Dunbar refused to do, and
insists upon receiving the full twenty
Ave thousand dollars. It~strikes me
that in the older days of the Republic
such proceeding on thepart of a quar-
termaser's agent would have given
rise to some "qneer" ideas about the
agents desire to do "soft" thing for
himself. As however the Government
backs him, it is clearly case of repu-
diation of IL part of the "national debt"
for the sake of economy, Now if one
part of the debt, no matter how small,
can be repnliated, then upon the same
principle the whole of it can be. AS
the radicals have started practical re-
pndiation, how can they ccnsure GER
tain enthusiastic Democrats who tall.
theoretically Of Reputation? But the
old terse idea again comes in as an H.
lnstra,ion of the Ra deal policy:
so, wad somc Power the giftce gle us
To Sec ciirscll's rs ithers see U.S.
Following the example that the adj
ministration officials have set, the for
rign ministers resident i'm Washington
have been absent from the city during
Tie summer, and have not yet return
ed. Mr.. Thornton, the British Minis
ter, is, understand, engaged in the
work of collecting all the facts relating
to the violation of the neutrality laws
in regard to Cuba, to send to the Brit
isl Foreign office. England does not
permit any interference with the rights
of her citizens. The American Repub-
lie formerly adopted the same plan,
but of late days it is too much engaged
in prosecuting its own citizens to think
of interfering in Il cir behalf when
their rights are invaded abroad. "Thc
National Intelligencer and Washing
ton Express" the new Democratic pa
per started this morning, and presents
a very creditablc appearance. Its ed
itorials are marked with ability, its ty-
Biography is very neat, and its local de,
partment well conducted. 1t will com
mand success. TREBLA.
/ ,nt Tie prntect 01rsoluae.