New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-12-18
ANOTHER RAID ON THE TREASURY.

AN ATTEMPT TO SECURE THE REFUNDING OF
$70,000,000 OF COTTON TAXA GIGANTIC
LOBBY sCHEME-PREsENT STATE OF THE
PROJECT.
IRON A REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THR rRIBUEBl
WASHINGTON, Dec. 17.-For the past two
years or movement has been organizing to
the reundng of the paid Cotton during the years
1865 1866 and 1861 when the law taxing cotton three
cents per pound was in operation This movement has
hitherto scarcely felt in Washington. Various bills
have been introduced by Southern members to
psh the purpose sought but they have not been passed.
and served other purpose than TO give notice Of
an intention to make a demonstration in force when
sufficient force should be acquired and favorable
moment should arrive for action The managers of the
that they must wait until after the Pres.
idental election before they could hope for serious
consideration In Congress their project because the
Republican party leaders held it TO be essential that
they should go the country with favorable balance
Sheet and would not have ventured to put the debt
side the t00OOOO required to refund the tax Besides
the movement not ripe until large proportion Of
the caims could be gathered up and controlled by an
organization. There is for believing that this
has been effected and that unusually powerful lobby
is forming. with the purpose Of pushing the scheme
through this session If possible.
The paid by the producers, owners or holders
OF the cotton who given receipts as were others
who paid internal taxes Many Of these receipts
ence and together with the books OF the revenue col
ectors they furnish the evidence to sustain the claims
They have been bought systematically and thorough
y throughout the South 1t is reported, by assoca
with the purpose of getting bill
through Congress fOr their payment. AS long as the
claims were in first hands nothing was to be apprehend
ed from them, but now that they have been concen-
trated so that millions controlled by few indvidu-
ais there is great to fear that Congress will in
the end be induced to take the from the
Treasury required satisfy them. The receipts, with
mens OF the claims Of planters and Others for re-
payment have il is understood, been bought at rates
varying from TO 20 cents the dollar, and probably
not averaging moro than 10 cents. The holders can,
therefore, well afford to pay enormWls sum for lobby
expenses and still obtain profit Of millions. lobby
st who appeared to familiar with the plans Of those
have purchased the claims said recently that they
could afford to pay 100000 to get their reiundlng bill
passed. -, , o.. r.,
about two years past which brought TO test the con-
sttutOnay of the law levying the tax IL Is claimed
that law unconstitutional Tor three reasons
First because IL was tax on articles exported inc
cotton producing States, such tax being strictly pro-
hibed by the Constitution. Second, because 1t was not
a uniform tax duty and third, because If 1t Is to be
among the several States according 10 their respective
numbers. The Court has decided the case, and
probably will not, If there Is likely 10 be any action by
At the last session bill was introduced by Repre-
sentative Mckee OF Mississippi TO refund the tax and
Representative Perez OF the same State put speech In
prpt in support of the time In May. Inc
bill has remained uncOnsdered in the Ways and Means
Commute since. On Saturday, however Mr., Mckee
sent 10 all the members copy OF Mr. Perces speech
with printed request for its reading attached. and
notice OF an intention to bring up the bill at early
day From this IL is surmsed that the refunding pro-
ject will be strongly urged this session.