New-York tribune., 1872-12-13
xLIID CONGRESS-3D SESSION.
sENATE. ..wAsHNeroN, Dec. y. ls72.

SENATE...... WASHINGTON, Dec. II, 1877.
Mr.. MORRILL, Rep., Vt.) introduced a bill to
suthorze the purchase of additional site for the Post
Once In Boston, Referred to tho Commtte on Public
Buildngs and Grounds.
rTrs INTERNAL REVENUE BILL
Mr. SHERMAN (2ep, Ohio called up the bin for the
reduction OF the offices and expenses Of the Internal
Rovenue Bureau ~ aoSnsns - , te ine,na, me, hevchue
would save between $20oOoc0 aud S25oO,0Oo annually.
Mr. SUMNER DAB. Rep, Mass.l asked whether the
Committee on Finance had considered the prOpriety OF
reducing tho number OF Collectors OF Internal Revenue
;ee that the number OF Collectors might be greatly re-
duced without injury 70 the service.
Mr.. SHERMAN said that in some large cities IL might
be practicable reduce the number OF Collectors it
would not in regions less thicky populated. Besides
the reduction OF the number OF Collectors would not
greatly reduce the expense as they were paid chiefly by
fees depending upon the amount of business done
Mr. TRUMBULL Qsib.iRep, Il) said that as he under
stood the law last June this subject 1t provided for
greater reduction OF the Internal Revenue officers than
the pending bill would make That law authorized the
reduction OF the whole number OF Assessors and Collect
ORE 70 ly & Se me Is u of t the mSs
about 29O He did not say lie would not vote for
reduce the Of the Internal Revenue Department.
of how little had been done under previous
DEBATE ON TIRE BILL
Mr.. MORRILL, said that when Gen. Grant came into
Office there 1850 assistant assessors, but there
were only about 800 therefore there had been reduc-
ton under passed years ago Of about
assistant assessors besides about 80 Then
of ~ the number to 50, and the senator r Trumbn
complained that action had been taken under that
law ignoring the fact that the time had yet arrived
when the law was 10 go into effect But in the mean
time the Commissioner OF Internal Revenue by great d
iCene had devised scheme bv which the force could be
very much more reduced than by the law OF June last
That law reduced the number OF collectors and assessors
10 leaving 10 with the TO retain the
number of assistant assessors But this bill would re-
duce the number OF collectors to for each collection
district while providing that collector shall receive
more pay than s5oo and as their deputies are TO be
paid out Of their own pockets the number OF deputies
makes no difference 70 the United states.
Mr.. TRUMBuLl, in reply to MI. MorrilIs statement
had yet arrived read the following provision Of that
law: So, ,--.,..p-.
sn and be s hereby sqhons and directed to reduce the Internal
He Nlr. TrumbulD repeated that the number Of In
tern Revenue officers allowed to retained under this
already enacted but unexeeuted The plea that the depu
ties OF the collectors would cost the United States moth
ing because each collector would pay his deputies
out OF his $500 a year. was preposterous.
M. CASSERLY Dcm., CALI said 1t was plain that the
Administration either from want of power want of
will had failed to carry out tho reforms in the Internal
Revenue Department for which Congress had provided
Te ala not wish 10 be unjust 10 the President, and be-
leyed tla If he understood this subject more thoroughly
he would be prompt TO act on his own Judgment in
enforcpc the law; but It his misfortune TO be
rounded by men who were interested in keeping the
truth from him. and Who being themselves pressed at
nnable 10 do their duty TO the President.
Mr. SHERMAN said there was not the least occasion
fr the senator from California Ir Casserly) OF any
one 10 arragn the President in connection with this
fject az fo intimate that he had in some way con.
trved Ia nut OF the execution Of the law OF June
mil after the election. Everybody knew that in mat
fer of his Kind the President did not act merely upon
his own Judgment No doubt by the 1st Of January, he
Would have performed the duty imposed upon him by
thjs law; but be would do II after due consideration
with the officers Of the Department
THE BILL PASSED.
After further discussion, the amendments reported
from the Committee Finance agreed to. and the
bill was passed.
RELIEF FOR BOSTON.
On motion Of Mr.. WILSON gep, Mass). the bin for
The relief Of the sufferers by the Boston fire
taken up.
Mt SUMNER 1Ab Rep, Mass) said he hoped the bill
would ne passed IL came from the House; the bill
was opposed setting bad precedent out the prece-
dent V6uld be applicable only in a similar case, and
when such case should he should insist upon its
Mr. CARPENTER CRep., Wis., opposed the bill, as he
had opposed the Chicago Relief bill, the ground that
It was unconstitutional.
without action on the BILL the Senate, at O'Clock y.
m went into Executive Session, and soon after sd-
fouqned