The New York herald., 1873-12-16

DWered, except 81 - Nr. Dawes presumed 70 say
that Mr.. Richardson had sent on letter
on the points for publication this da5. During
this discussion "Dewdrop,n true 70 his nee
trade Instincts asked Mr.. Dawes-"Have the ways
and Means considered how they can increase the
revenue by reducing the tarfn :" No satlsfactory
answer was onered except rom M. Kellogg, Of Con-
necttcut, who said--'It cannot be done."
One would suppose that after 80 long fiscal
squabble, where there was 80 little light and 30
much talk, the matter would END. But It did not
END with thls quadrtlateral debate. Mr.. Kelley
came along with his resolution against fresh taxa
tion and for innation. Then came scene Mr..
Kelley nearly had the House. 1t adjourned to avoid
the VOTE Mr.. Butler the West and the South seemed
to be with him. Mr. Dawes did not like 1t. In fact
the same matter was before the Ways and Means
to-day. Ihey refused to report the Kelley reso-
luton, 30 Its author brought 1t in the
House and with . great flourish. II was
. tonchstone. 1t has tailed for the
present, but the House is for innation, as it
appears to-day. During the skirmishlng 1t was
suggested the resolution might be amended, 30 as
to have the Ways and means inquire whether the
could not be increased by the reduction Of
the tartn; but the Speaker used his gavel freely,
ana the House nnally adjourned, without reaching
anything definite. Nothing is likely to be done,
80 far as new taxes or more greenbacks is con.
cerned, until after the nrst week In January.
The day in the House was eventfu, as evidencing
the first day OF serious work on the grave
problems OF the session. 1t arrayed the
heroes OF this rough forum OF debate-th the
beligerenr Butler his eyes and face all agow with
fermented spirit; the grsly Dawes, slow, solemn,
measured and melancholy, determined and gamey;
the irrepressible Cox, on the alert for the mer-
chant ana people OF the big mart Of commerce;
s~a~~ Orw. An<r
Garfield drives with more force than grace and
the histrionic, indefatigable. loud-votced Judge
Kelley, OF Pennsylvania. These made up the GEN.
tral figures In Q scene where the values Of our
country are being weighed with every word, and
where the ughsest word may count millions in
speculation and destroy millions by reckless and
inconsiderate legislation.
Secretary Rtchardson's Reasons tor an
Increase or Taxation, and Why He So
lected Certain Articles Named In the
Bills.
The following letter from the Secretary Of the
Treasury Is Of Importance
TREASURY DEPARrMENr, Dec. II, 1878.
DEAR SIR-I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt Of your letter OF this date, transmitting
resolution OF the Committee OF Ways and Means OF
OF the Treasury Ito give his reasons in writing for
an increase in taxation, and why ne has selected
proper objects lor increased taxation, and that he
Inform she COMMITTEES specifically as TO the expen-
ditures and condition Of the revenue which rem
der the proposed increase necessary
In the report, which, in accordance with law
had the honor recently to submit to Congress,
Dc revival OF business ct an early aay and an in
crease in the receipts over those OF the past two
quired to meet expenses Should such be the case
recommend additional taxation, judiciously laid,
so as to be the least burden upon the people and
borrowing money and increasing the public debtn
1t Is on the grounds here generally stated that
customs ana internal taxes have not materially in
creased. and It u apparent that no considerable
q nUse p%bc @
debt was increased by demands which could not
be avoided during the month Of November to the
it WIN be srii further Increased during the current
month by many millions. While the coin receipts
terest on the public debt and other coin expen-
dttures It will not be prudent 70 sell gold to in
crease me M supply Of currency S rne current ex
about $4,000 600 OF what has been called the re
serve,n and there remains only about $26, 600
issue OF United States notes authorized by law viii
be reached. The public credit can only be main
fully up so es the expendturesp for orc Ordinary e1
penHcs for interest on the public debt and for the
purchase OF ponds for the sinking fund to the ex.
tent provided by law. It is manlfestly the true
policy, In view OF maintaining that credit, so to
N Win Ss raised with
OF some surplus revenue rather than incur any
risk OF deficiency, which would make 1t necessary
to borrow money ana thereby increase the debt
In selecting tea and coffee for taxation, am in
nuenced by the consideration that taxes on those
articles are easily collected and are not oppressive
to the consumers.
In selecting spirits, tobacco, gas railway and
s an e
Commissioner Of internal Revenue in his letter
already forwarded to the committee. in the follow
ing wOrds:-'Tn selecting sources for possible tax
alton nave taken those that would give the reve-
nue. probably needed without any material increase
to the present force, or any amendment to the
present system, considering that it Is wise to get
the public & revenue with as little interference as
and that the tax gatherer should greet the public
eye as rarely as practicable"
/ have presented the bills for increased taxation
to the committee thus early, that the SUBJECT may
at be called to the attention. of Congress for
such action at an early day as may be deemed ex-
It should be taken into account that the eject OF
any law which may be enacted to increase taxa
its passage. and that in the apparent disposition
among the people to reduce expenditures, the
same amount Of revenue as would accrue under
different circumstances. Ihave the honor to be,
'''' 'M WILLIAM A. RICHARDSON, Secretary.
TO Hon. II. L. DAWES, Chairman OF the Com
mittee OF Ways and Means Of House Of RepTesen-
tatives.
The Estimates Of the Executive Depart
ments To BE Revised.
The House Committee on Appropriations this
morning voted to oner q resolution in the House,
requesting the President to request the
various executive departments to revise
their estimates for the next fiscal year, II
possible, before January The object i OF COURSE
to ind means to cut down the estimates, which
were all MADE several months before the recent
financial disturbances began and before 1t was
known that the government revenues were likely
to fall behind the national expenditures.
Detailed Duty OF the Committce ON
Appropriations.
The House Committee on Appropriations to-day
allotted work to its various members as forows:-
Messrs. Loughridge, Parker and Hancock are
charged with the preparation Of the Indian Appro-
priatton bill; O'Neill with the Pension bill,
Swami with the Diplomatic and Consular; Stark