Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-03-27
CONGRESSIONAL.
The Tariff Debate in the Senate.
Promising Concessions to Taxpayers
Change in Currency Bureau Demanded
SENATE.

BENAEGa
WASHINGTON, March 26.-A bill passed
granting right of way to the Mobile Grand
Trunk Railway.
Mr.. Morrill,, of Vermont, offered reso-
luton to repeal the tariff and large num-
Der of internal revenue taxes.
Mr. Morton objected, and the resolution
was withdrawn.
Tea and Coffee.
On motion of Mr.. Scott, the tariff bill
was informally laid aside, and the House
bill to repeal the duty on coffee taken
up. He moved to have the law take effect
on the first Of July next.
Mr.. Trumbull moved to place salt on the
free list.
Mr. Sherman asked to let vote be taken
separately on tea and coffee, but Trumbull
declined.
Wholesale Railroad GaugIng.
Mr.. Robertson introduced bill to secure
uniformity in the gauges of railroads of the
United States, providing that the Post
master General shall require, as one of the
terms Of contracts with railroads for carry
ing the mails, that the gauge shall be four
feet eight and one-half inches; and also re-
quiriDg the Department, in making con-
tracts for carrying through mails, to dis
crtminate against railroads that have other
gauges-these provision not to apply, how
ever, to narrow gauge roads which don't
exceed three feet six inches.
The Tariff
Mr.. Morrill,, Of Vermont, offered the fol-
lowing resolution:
"Resolved, that the Committee on FL
nance be instructed to report au amend
ment to any bill reducing taxes, which shall
repeal the Internal Revenue laws now in
force, imposing taxes as follows: the tax
on illuminating gas; taxes imposed by sec
ton ITO Of the Internal Revenue act of
1864 as subsequently amended, and all taxes
payable by stamps, except such as relate to
distilled spirits, fermented liquors, tobacco,
snuff and cigars"
Mr.. Morton objected to its present con-
sideratiOn, and Morrill, withdrew the reso-
luton.
The tariff bill then came up.
Mr.. Scott moved TO Law aside the tariff
bill for the purpose Of taking up the House
bill to make tea and coffee free.
John Sherman said the tea and coffee
trade was paralyzed by the uncertainty as
to the action of Congress, and for the pur-
pose OF ascertaining the will of the Senate
on the subject, he would agree that the
House bill making tea and coffee free should
be taken up, though he would not vote
for 1t.
The House bill was taken up, and Mr..
Scott offered an amendment, providing that
it should GO into effect the first of July next,
also, that tea and coffee In bond on the 1st
July shall be free, and that the duties that
shall have been paid on tea and coffee in
bond on that day be refunded.
Mr.. Trumbull moved to amend so as to
put salt on the free list on and after the
passage Of the act.
Mr. Hamlin suggested he should add coal, |
but Mr.. Trumbuil said he perferred to have
them voted on separately.
Mr.. JnO. Sherman said if the amend |
nents were to be passed they would defeat |
he object he had in view in consentiug to !
lay the tariff bill aside.
Mr.. Trumbull said he wished to bring |
The Senate to a direct vote on salt. He |
said that the people would be relieved fire |
lines as much per head by repeating the
iuty on Woolen goods as by making tea and |
,offee free.
Mr.. Morton said he believed we could |
make tea and coffee free, make the proposed
eductlon Of 10 per cent on articles In the
d section Of the Senate tariff and repeal
ii internal peYenue taxes except on spirits,
ermented liquors and tobacco and still pay
If S5O,OO0,0OO of the public debt next
ear; and he therefore gave notice that he
you'd offer an amendment leaving tea and
Office free and repeating all laws imposing
aEes
~ Stamps
kept on spirits, fermented liquors, snuff
nd cigars, and all laws imposing taxes on
as, the repeal to take effect the 1st of
october, 1872.
Mr. Scott said if Mr.. Morton's amend
lent should prevail, he (Scott) would
hink it waste of time to consider the
louise bill further, and would yield the
7hole subject again to the chairman of the
Committee on Finance, Mr.. Sherman.
The question was then taken on Trum-
ull's amendment to include salt, and was
elected by 10 to 30. The amendment to
lclude coal was also rejected; yeas 10,
ays 25.
Mr.. Morton then offered as an amend
lent to the pending House bill the whole
t the tariff bill reported from the Senate !
Ommittee relating to tea and coffee.
Mr.. Scott appealed to him to Withdraw |
he amendment, but he declined tG do so. !
The amendment was then rejected
eas 22, nays 2G.
Mr.. Morton then offered the amendment
f which he had given notice.
Mr.. Morrill,, Of Vermont, offered the free
st In the Senate bill as a substitute for
Ir. Morton's amendment.
Mr. oaiH ha T4yOr,1I - g. T.
Iorton's amendment, although he re-
arded it as incomplete, because it would
ave undisturbed the tribe of internal rev.
nue. othce-hoiders now b4rdening the a.,
1untry. This ought not to be left to the
secretion of any body. The bill ought to
0ntain positive provision Of
determination
yainst the whole tribe.
Mr.. Morton said the Secretary of the :
reasury had power to discharge unneces-
Try revenue officers, and that it must be
# to him or some Executive officer to !
ldge how many could be spared.
Mr.. Morrill's substitute for Mr.. MortOn's [
mendment was adopted; yeas 81, nays 13. S
Mr.. Wright then offered to add the sec /
nd section of the Finance Committee bill,
,ducing duties ten per cent on textile fab
cs and manufacturers of iron, STEEL
glassware, leather and India
lbber. Agreed to- yeas y, nays II.
Mr.. Sherman gave notice that tomorrow I
: would offer the tariff bill as reported !
ON the Committee on Finance as a sub '
itute for the pending House bill, q
Mr.. Morton gave notice that he would
new his amendment for the reduction Of r
ternal taxes. :
Mr.. Trumbull said he would renew his '