The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-06-23
Cessress-Ths Incsae Tax-Bes Butler
Cornered.

Csssress-Ths Incsne Tax-Bes Butler
Corncred.
Another railroad job was presented in the
Senate yesterday, but after an hours Discus
continuation OF an old job. 1t extends the
time for the construction Of the railroad to the
Pacific coast by Q southerly route. AS there
was no fresh land grab in it the Senate thought
1t not worth wasting much time upon. The
House bill to reduce taxation, which also
includes Mr.. Schenck's Tariff bill, was dis
cussed at great length, especially the section
relative to the income tax. Mr.. Sherman,
chairman Of the Finance Committee, favored
the continuance, but Mr.. Sumner, Mr..
Coukling and other prominent Sena-
tors strongly opposed It.. The amend
ments introduced by Mr.. Sherman's
committee repeal all special taxes except
those ON spirits, tobacco and beer, but the
clause relative to the income tax remains in
the bill substantially as 1t was agreed to in the
House. Senators must remember that the
income tax has expired by limitation, and that
in agreeing to this clause they really re-enact
measure which could have been excusablc
only in war time. They cannot shield them
selves behind the excuse that the clause, being
already law Of the land, their error, if an
error at all, is only one Of omission in failing
to repeal 1t. They must bear the odium, If
they adopt the tax anew, Of imposing upon the
people in times Of peace and plenty the most
obnoxious revenue tax that the American
people have ever been saddIed with. The bill
was finally laid over until to-day. Ia the
evening session the Southern Pacific Railroad
bill was discussed.
In the House Mr.. Schenck reported bill
creating new department Of internal revenue,
which was made o special order for Wednes-
day next. The report of the special commit
tee in reference to the conduct of the reporter
of the Erening Post, in sending dispatches to
his paper rejecting on members of the House,
was received 1t is a practical, common
sense view Of reporters duties in Congress,
and Of the relations existing between Congress
and the people. Reporters in the galleries
are the mouthpieces by which the people Of
the country are informed of the actions of their
servants in Congress, and it is only through
their faithful and fearless criticism that the
people can know how the work delegated to
their servants is performed. The committee,
in accepting this view Of the case, have acted
wisely. Mr.. Smith, the reporter, erred in
lack of caution, but his report had no venom
or malice in it, and Congress will merely stul-
tify itself in expelling him. This is not at all
likely, however.
The event of the day in the House, how
ever, arose from the discussion on the Presi-
dents veto of the bill extending Rollin Whites
patent for the invention of a revolving pistol.
Mr.. Butler favored passing the bill over the
Presidents veto, and Mr.. Farnsworth in op-
posing 1t charged Butler with re-
ceiving a two thousand dollar fee
for his advocacy Of the measure. The
evidence in the shape of letters from the
Commissioner of Patents showed very plainly
that Butter had received that amount for his
services but in his defence, which was in the
Essex statesman's best style, he claimed that it
was IOr arguing Tic Cubc III tue Suprcuo OOuTt
before the matter came up in the House. The
bill was not passed over the veto, and nothing
resulted from Farnsworth's charge except some
very warm words; but we besecch Butler to
be more circumspect in future. There is mo-
body whom the House would like to get on the
hip so well as he. His heavy preponderance
of brains is all that keeps his meagre amount
Of conscience from being indicted at any mo-
ment, and even brains have come near failing
him On several occasions lately. He will trip
before long unless he makes at least one ap-
pcarance Of virtue, by avoiding such clients al
Whittemore and keeping out of such compli.
cations as the present and the Cuban bond
business. He ought to remain more steadily
in the House, attending to his legitimate
duties as legislator, and avoid small law
suits.
EUROPEAN NAIL DISPATCHES. The Euro
pean mail at this port yesterday supplied