Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1871-02-01
Washington City Gossip.

Washington Ulty Gosslp.
The object for giving territorial govern
ment to the District of Columbia, in order
to simplify its operations and lesson the de-
mands upon Congress for local legislation,
was considered in the Senate. The original
bill, with several proposed amendments.
was rferred to Conference Committee.
SECRETARY boutwell, is reported to be
earnestly opposed to the repeal of the in
come tax law, and places the amount to be
returned from it at fourteen million dollars,
in place of seven million dollars, the figures
given by Gen. Pleasanton. We think the
probabilities are very much more favorable
to the correctness of the figures OF the
Commissioner, than those of the Secretary
of the Treasury. The rate OF the tax
alton, it will be remembered, was
reduced from five to two and half per
cent and the exemptions placed at two
thousand dollars. This certainly should re-
duce the tax at least Seventy per cent. As
| the sum realized for two or three yetrs, from
| this tax, was only about twenty-six million
/
seven million dollars is all that can now be
reached. But out of this must come the
expenses of collection, which will leave COM
paratively nothing for the Treasury. 1t is
better to meet the Secretary's views, and
by the abolition reE 81 his Ri tax in some other
way than leave it unrepealed
The Congress sional Committee on Appro-
priations have given favorable consideration
to the subject of continuing the appropris-
ton for the storm signal service, organized
last year, under the direction of the chief
signal officer of the War Department. The
utility OF the service is thought to have been
demonstrated by the experience already
had, and the small expenditure neces-
sary for its continuance will, no doubt, be
authorized.
SUBSIDIES" AND Gland GRABS" seem
to be the only solid ideas that can find rest
ing places in the minds of some members of
Congress The country is pretty well tired
of this continued and persistent character
Of legislation, and those gentlemen who
seem not to realize this fact, will learn it
hereafter, probably to their sorrow In one
single day no less than $1,000, 600 of acres
were modestiy asked, while subsidy of
$3.50, 900 year was just as modestly re-
quested for steamship line. 1t is kind
of disease, that if not cured, will certainly
be fatal to those members of Congress SO
badly afflicted.
A bill, introduced by Senator Edmunds,
to increase the pensions of soldiers and
sailors twenty per cent. passed the senate
without a word of debate. 1t will add
about four million five hundred thousand
dollars yearly to the payments of the gov
ernment on pension account.
The bill proposing the organization of the
State of Utah does away with the right to
vote now possessed by the Mormon women.
The Senate Committee on the Judiciary
has made report in favor of the admission
of Joshua Hill as one of the Georgia Sena-
tors DR.. Miller, elected at the same time.
is rejected because he served in the rebel
army as surgeon, and is thus disqualified.
The majority Of the committee agreeing to
the report are Senators Trumbull, Edmonds,
Conkling and Carpenter. Senator Thur
man agreed with them that Hill is entitled
to take his seat on. taking the oath pre-
scribed. The minority of the committee
are in favor of seating Messrs. Whitley and
Farrow, who have recently been elected.
But if it is decided that the Legislature
which elected Messrs Hill and Miller was
elected and organized, tie question is set
tied against the latter election, and there
will have to be another election to fill the
place of DR.. Miller, if he is ineligible.