The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-01-30
Pleasanton on the repeal Of the income
tax in opposition to the we'll known and

repeatedly expressed wishes Of Secre-
tary Boutwell,, and it has been reported
that some members of the House in
tend to vote against the repeal out Of
Difference to what they suppose to be
the desire OF the Administration. 1t is
known here, however, that Pleas
anton, in his opposition to this unequal
tax, is acting after full consultation
with the President, who expressed him
selfas unconditionally in favor Of repeal
and supports the Commissioner in the
course he has taken as to the net rev.
enue which will be derived from the
tax if it is continued. Commissioner
Pleasanton is still Of opinion that the
expense Of an honest collection OF it
will nearly equal the amount obtained.
He does not think that it has been pos
sible, with the force of assessors and
collectors at the disposition Of the
Bureau, to make anything like just
assessment and collection of the income
tax, and that while honest men have
paid their full tax, dishonest men have
cheated the Government out Of millions.
To examine fully every case would re-
quire not only the restoration Of the
seven hundred revenue officers already
or soon to be disposed OF, but the ap-
pointment OF an indefinite number
more.
The Ways and Means committee did
not take up this subject yesterday, but
will continue the consideration OF it at
its next meeting.
The Alabama Claims.
A special to the Erening Post says:
Your correspondent is now enabled not
only to reatfirm the truth Of his dispatch
on Tuesday, that the question of the
settlement of the Alabama claims has
been reopened, and that negotiations
are in progress between this country
and Great Britain, but to say, without
violating any confidence, that the mat
ter in question was the subject Of care
ful consideration at the recent Cabinet
meeting, and that, al the instance OF
the Administration, it was brought be-
fore the Senate committee on Foreign
Relations at a meeting held last Tues
day. The subject was introduced by a
prominent Republican Senator, who Is
member of that committee. For some
unexplained reason, there is a strong
feeling and disposition on the part Of
the Administration to settle this long
pending controversy with Great Britain,
since the latter has made known her
readiness to do 30 by compromise before
any bill should pass Congress authorizing
the Government to audit and purchase
claims arising ont Of the depredations
of the Alabama. While the Admins
tration is anxious to settle this matter
with Great Britain by treaty, conceding
even more than is believed would be
acceptable TO the American people,
there are large number Of prominent
Republicans who believe that further
efforts should be made to pass bill
auditing aud paying claims arising from
depredations committed not only by the
Alabama, but by the four rebel cruisers.
1t is learned that as yet Minister Thorn
ton has not written any communication
giving the basis upon which this gov
ernment stands ready to make a settle
ment, but all communications have
been OF a verbal character Before the
British government places its PROPOSE
tons in black and white, it is deemed
best first to ascertain whether the pro-
posed terms would be acceptable 10 the
United States, and, if so, then the
formal documents would be transmitted
to the State Department. The Prest
dent and his Administration are ready
to accept terms, but before the treaty "
finally concluded the feeling Of the
Senate must be fully known, so as to be
secure against rejection il submitted for
action.
Miscellaneous.
1t appears from official data that
$50, ,75O,76l have been refunded to the
different States for the expenses incurred
in raising volunteers. The amount
still due is $7,7S5,972.
Mr.. Choves, delegate from New Mex
ico, will make an effort to have passed,
this week, bill providing for the ad
mission of that State into the Union.
The Secretary Of the Treasury has di-
rected the Assistant Treasurer at New
York to purchase 81, 600, 900 bonds each
Wednesday and sell Sl,0O0,00O gold
each Thursday during February.
The importance Of the business before
the American and Mexican claims com
mission has exceeded all expectation.
The docket shows l,0l7 claims against
Mexico and go against the United
States. The commission expires Feb
ruary lst 1872, but the time may he
extended.
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