Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-02-09
cur Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, d. @. Jan. %.

: Editor Rutland Herald Nv men doc
= tvs disagree who shall decide y During
the past week two significant measures
have been under consideration in
! THE SENATE.
And eminent men of like political Greco
, are found upon both sides. The bill re-
3 pealing the "Odious Income Tax" passed
: the Senate by large majority. The bill
s was opposed by many of our most expert
= fnanoiers. Secretary Boutwell, strongly
t advised that the income tax law be not
/ abolished, and demonstrates the impracti
bility of doing away with this tax, unless
au equivalent to the revenue OF the
country is rendered in some other way
His figures, according to the present re-
gime, show the estimated receipts of the
: government for the present fiscal year to
be about $3.50, 100000, and the estimated
expenditures about $110,0O0,0O0. The
income revenue is about $14,OOO,OOO, and
and the expense of collecting it, which 1t
is claimed will be abolished with the law
authorizing the collection of the tax, is
about $S,O0O.000, leaving net gain to the
government of $6,000,000, from this
source. Both sides of the question enlist
ed great talents and weighty arguments
in their support. The policy of Mr.
Boutwell, is we'll known TO be one of IL
nancial safety found in the year by de-
crease of the public debt, and with this
end in view be is of opinion that the
revenue cannot be further reduced with
safety to public credit. This was sub
stantially the policy of Washington when
| in hia fret messages to the infant Con-
gress he advised the speedy payment of
public debt as means of preserving pub
lie credit, sand to not ungenerously throw
the burden upon posterity," knowing
that tomorrow always brings to.morrows
cares and responsibilities. But the oppo-
site policy finds many adherents there
are those who are content to pay debts
when credit il no longer to be had and do
not regard a public debt as a public en-
barrassment, hence the hue and cry about
oppressive taxation, etc. and their argu-
ment for delaying the present payment of
the debt, is suggestive of the old farmer
who always had to get his horse shod be-
fore he could go for the doctor. But there
is food for reflection in the fact that eight
millions has to be expended in raising
from the financial resources of the coun-
try, fourteen millions and the query is,
can the six millions gain be accomplished
in better way.
| Another significant feature of the times
has been the debate upon Senator Trum-
bulls bill, to relieve members Of Congress
from importantly, making it a penal Of
tense for Senators and members of Con
gress to recommend applicants for the
civil service. His bill comprehends, in
spirit an in letter, the true state of the
present system, which is replete with per-
nicious Influences, and with boldness
characteristic of the man, aims at imme-
diate correction, hit and hurt where it
may. That there are great abuses exist
is patent TO every one. That in the good
time coming-the millenum-every-
body will be honest and willing to render
an equivalent for value received: that
hired laborers will not have to be watched
to prevent their squandering time that
friend will be true to friend; that poll
tics will be- emancipated from it's present
disreputable features, which lead the
world to say that all things are fair and
believe that nothing is honesty in poll.
tics, and that republicani-m reigns in
spirit as we'll as in name, is the hope OF
all good men. But few expects to live
to see the lion and lamb lay dow together,
and few expect a speedy correction of
these wrongs. doubt if even Mr.. Trum-
bull expects his bill to become law
while humanity is selfsbly weak, and it is
honorable and profitable ~ for men to sit
in Congress, it Ia reasonable to suppose
that there will be found a majority in
Congress who will be slow to relinquish
one of the principal elements of their
pIocGbb R'"CL' DOuo'AtSS 1AAob SCSohS
their elections, and retain their honorable
positions by being able to secure for their
friends the lions share at the public crib,
and are possessed of little else TO recon-
mend them for seat in the nations coun-
Gil.
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE
On Monday had under consideration a bill
reported by Mr.. Stevens of New Hamp-
shire, regulating the rank in the navy,
which elected much warm debate The
main object of the bill seems to be to give
to the staff officers rank to be recognized
in the navy, and in part to do away with
the severe or official ostracism now exist
ing between the two branches Of the SER
vice. On Tuesday Mr.. Young presented
the credentials of Mr.. Stephen A. Corker,
member elect from Georgia, and after
being read, motion was made that he pro-
coed to take the oath of Office, whereupon
Mr.. Butler objected, and presented the
memorial of Thomas G. Baird, A contest.
aUb IhS SCAT anu uOVOfI luAC the
matter be referred to the committee ON
elections. This gave rise to a most spirit
ed political debate, which was finally ter
minated by many of the leading republic
cans taking issue with the democrats, and
thus voting down Mr.. B's proposition up
on the ground that where there is 20
claim of ineligibility set forth, nothing
csn take precedence of regular creden.
tai. to prevent member from being
sworn.
The Indian appropriation till,appropriat-
ing $4,359 400, has been before the House
several times during the week, and many
old Indian political speeches made. The
humanitarian view seems to prevail, and
the policy of alternate feeding and fyht-