The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1869-02-11
Washington Matters.
THE WHISKEY sWISDL

LIE SNi->DLL'
The reduction of the tax on whiskey in bond
was part of the scheme of special whiskey
ring promoted it is alleged, by few members
OF Congress who were in the secret. The OPP
eratlonS OF the ring were on the grandest scale
known in history. 1t will be remembered tnat
during all the early period of the last session
of Congress it was given out by members VINO,
from their position, were supposed 10 oe au-
thoriZed to speak for that body, That there
would be no reduction of the tax, and the Com
mittee on Ways and Means had reported that
there should be no reduction. During all this
time the four grand managers Of the scheme,
knowing what was to come, purchased nearly
all the whiskey in bond, amounting to fifteen or
sixteen million gallons, paying for it prices
ranging from FIVE to fifteen cents per gallon.
When these purchases were completed it was
announced in the House OF Representatives
that the tax was to be reduced not only on what
was to be made in future but on what WAS in
bond, which the Government already held for
tax. The price Of bonded whiskey at once ad-
vanced to sixty and sixty-fve cents, thus net
ting to the ring who were the purchasers OF
bonded whiskey, about So, 00O0 900, which was
divided among the smart manipulators OF the
scheme. How many members Of Congress re-
ceived dividends in this gigantic trick will prob
ably never be truthfully made known. One OF
the ring, already millionaire, In New Iork,
added two millions to his fortune. Instead OF
eminent, 1t was a monstrous loss. If this
Whskey had paid two dollars tax as 1t should
have dom, it would have produced for the
Treasury thirty millions OF dollars instead or
seven or eight millions. More Of the specific
facts OF this huge speculation are forthcoming.
On Wednesday, the 10th, the Presidential
electoral vote is to be counted when 1t Is I'M
derstood objection to counting the vote Of Lou
isiana and Georgia will be raised, on the ground
that neither of these States have complied with
the spirit, if, indeed they have with the letter,
of the law. Under the rule this objection will
cause the two houses to separate and vote up
on the propositions but as no debate is allow
ed, a few minutes will dispose Of the matter.
Very few have any idea tina | Louisiana will be
excluded, for she is represented in both branch
cs of Congress. Georgia is In an awkward po-
sition, being represented in the House, whilst
her Senator's are excluded
The Subcommittee of the House, to whom
was committed the draft of new law regu-
lating the naturalization Of foreigners, have
prepared two bills, one by Mr.. Jenckes, the
other by Mr.. Poland. The essential difference
in these is as to the jurisdiction Of the cour IS
over the subject Mr.. Jenckes gives the ex-
elusive jurisdiction to the Federal courts,
whilst Mr.. Poland, III addition, gives jursdic-
ton to the highest State courts within the
country in which the application shall be made.
Mr.. Jenckess bill provides that before the nat
uralization papers be issued, the clerk of the
court shall post the name Of the applicant IN
some conspicuous place for ten days, and Shall
furnish q list of the applicants to the Secretary
of State. The residence is to be five years In
the country before naturalization certificate
can be issued.