New-York tribune., 1875-02-12

representatives here were Messrs. +. d. Morgan a.
Co., Dwight Townsend Grinnell, Minturn & Co.,
and Booth g. Edgar. Most of these gentlemen or
their representatives have had interviews with the
Ways and Means Committee. They represent that
there is great inequality in the construction of the
BILL and that it does not bear equitaby. These gen.
tlemen say the bill itself is bad, and that dealers,
rectifors and Others in the trade, are opposed to
the increase After the gentlemen had been heard
to-day, the Committee decided so far TO amend the
bill as to include melado among the sugars on winch
the tax is TO be increased. great number OF the
druggists Of the country, wholesale and retail, and
also manufacturers have been here to protest
against the continuance of the proprietary tax.
Mr.. j. N. HegCman of New-YoTk had an interview
to-day with several members of the WAYS and
Means Committee and with members of the Finance
Committee of the Senate. He represented the case
of the druggists and particularly protested against
the increase of the tax on alcohol as seriously af-
fectlng his business. He said alcohol was largely
used by druggists, and that the increase would bear
heavily upon those who could not afford to pay.
lie also thought the stamp tax on proprietary arti-
cles ought to be repealed, bearing heavily on the
poor consumer.
LEGISLATION FOR THE DISTRICT,
The District of Columbia occupied the attention
of the Senate again to-day Mr.. Wright warmly ad-
vocated his substitute for the Morrill, bill providing
for the election by the people of Mayor and NUM-
cipal Council and closed his remarks with
stirring appeal to the Republican party TO be strong
and do what it considered right without fear
Mr.. Mortons amendment making the District Com
mssioners elective by the people, having been sub
mitted to the Senate with Anthony in the chair, it
was rejected by the tic vote Of 2S to 20. Mr. Ed
munds thereupon moved TO lay the bill upon the
table, but this motion was defeated by the
moro decisive vote of % to s.. Mr. Edmunds
was greatly discomposed at the result of
these votes, and said in reference TO
a slight confusion on the floor of the Senate, that
was not to be wondered at, as there had been
Democratic victory, This assestion was re-
Election upon the following Republicans who
voted against the Morton amendment: AllI-
son, Gilbert. Ingals, both the MorrilPs, Pratt.
Sergeant, Schurz, Scott. Stewart, Wadleigh.
Norton, and Edmunds Both sides talked
very exciedly in regard to the bill and especially
of the amendment by M Sargent, providing Tor
the election of the delegates, which WAS accepted
by Mr.. Morrill, merely for the purpose of maintain
ing the principle of suffrage. 1hls concession does
not satisfy MIR. Morton, to whom any restriction
Mr. Morrill, with more yigor resented
the attacks made upon the bill by those VINO adj;
mitted that they bad not read it,. Ii is eXpertcd
that Mr.. SaIgent's amendment will be amended to-
morrow, and that the passage of the bill viii
Immediately ensue There is little. hope of its
consideration by the House during the short time
intervening before the close of the session.
THE PROJECTED MISSISSIPPI RIVER IMPROVE
The House Committee on Commerce to-day heard
arguments in regard to the improvement Of the nav
igation of the Mississippi River. Congressman
Stanard (Rep. MOI adduced statistics showing the
necessity for prompt action to this end and favored
the adoption of the jetty system for the mouth OF
the river Mr.. Sheldon Fcp, La.) did not believe
in the lefty system but in view Of the recent report
of the Engineer Commission, was willing that 1t
should be tried as experiment. provided the con-
tracts were let by tho Secretary OF War to the low
est responsible bidder, condition that IN case OF
failure the accented bidder should sustain the loss
He also insisted that in trying the experiment, a
sufficient amount of money should be provided to
have the work done speedily. Capt Eads then read
n written argument In support OF his proposlton'
Can't Gould and Others representing steamDoa H.
terests argued that the expenditure should be made
at the Southwest Pass, as proposed by Capt Eaas,
instead of the Southern Pass, as suggested by the
Government engineers. The Committee then ad-
jouned without action.
COLORADO AND NEw-MEXICO AS STATES.
caucus of the Republican Senators was held
this morning. bnt little of political character
occurred The question Of the admission OF Colorado
as a State came up. and was briefly debated. The
bill which passed the House at the last session, pro-
viding for the organization of State government
was considered, and was finally passed by very
large vote This makes it party measure. The
admission of New-Mexco, the bill for when also
passed the House at the last session, was likewise
considered as agreed upon by the caucus. THIS
otion socures the admission of these two Territories
as States unless the Republican enemies OF the
measures succeed with the AID OF the Democrats III
amending the Colorado bill by coupling the TWO
together thus sending the question again 10 the
House where some difficulty might be experienced
owing TO the ateness of the session. IN again obtain
Ing favorable action
WASHINGTON NOTES.