Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-02-17
't''tV NOIIt VHIIVH9 WVt NdNUEtu D LHo
DemOerRts


There have been general consultations
Of late among Democrats in both houses
upon the expediency of Southern States
calling conventions to change their Consti-
buttons, and it has been agreed, with much
unanimity, TO discOuntenance such cOuven-
tiOns. The question first came from GsOr-
gia some weeks since, and Senator Gordon
wrote strongly depreCating the move
Dent. Not long since there was a
conference at Raleigh Of a number of
the most prominent Conservatives
in North Carolina, upon the prOpriety of
calling a convention. The matter was re-
feTred to Senator Ransom, and he consult
ed with Democrats freely in both houses,
and wrote back that the entire body of
Conservatives here were opposed to the
holding Of such conventions now, in any
part Of the South. Within a few
days the Texas Legislature has consult
ed the delegation of that State here upon
the same subject. There was 4 reply
sent to-day, signed by the whole Gelega-
ton, urging that no step be taken to call a
convention. The objects Of these cOnven-
tiOns, as stated to the Southern members
here, was not to change those portions of
the constitutions relating 10 questions Of
the present Government, or those growing
out of the W ?, but the replies, in all cases,
were that no mater what the reasons were,
it was altogether inexpedient at the pres
ent time to call constitutional conventions
for any purpose whatever.
Retreat Of Tom Scott.
Col. Tom Scott has withdrawn his forces
and abandoned his intention of making
further effort TO secure a subsidy for the
Texas Pacific
Increase Of the whisky Tax.
Special TO the Cincinnati Enquirer
The statement was made sometime since
in these dispatches that the increased tax
on whisky, in the bill reported by the
Ways and Means Committee, did not com
mand the approval of the Secretary Of the
Treasury. The Secretary expressed some
weeks ago to the WAYS and Means Com
mittee the. decided opinion that the
tax is now as high as it could be
raised and collected, and he expressed
the same opinion to your correspondent on
Saturday last. Gen. BristOW has been up-
on the floor Of the House of Representa-
tives, and, in conversing with members,
stated, unreserved,y, that his judgment,
from all the Information that be could OBJ
tain, was against any increase Of the
tax upon whisky, and that, if the duty was
raised, it would not be followed by an in
crease Of the revenue. The feeling against
the bill is on the increase, and the chances
for its passage are deemed doubtful, es-
pecially if debate is allowed.
The Tax on Tobacco.
There is a strong and increasing feeling
against the increased tax on tobacco. The
Michigan and Wisconsin members are said
10 be against it. In Virginia the PROPOSE !
ton ezcites much opposition among the |
farmers who are already suffering from the |
very short crop of tobacco, and will suffer |
more II the bill passes. Petitions are |
coming up against this tax from the Viz
yinia manufacturers, and the Senate of that /
-tale has unanimously passed resolutions
against it which will be ratified bv the 9th /
sr branch Of the State Legislature.
Fifty Republicans Against the Caueus !
BayOnet Bill.
The Committee on Affairs in Alabama. /
which las charge Of the House Caucus bill /
or the control Of elections in the South, /
lad a meeting to-day. Mr. Cannon. of /
Illinois, moved to strike out the section /
providing for the suspension Of the writ of |
idbeaS corpus, but the proposition
vas Tejecled, and it was agreed /
hat he should be allowed to
Jffer the amendment when the bill /
was reported to the House. The bill will |
be reported substantially as it passed the
,aucns. There Is some talk now of allow
ing the Mississippi Committee to report
he bill, as It is understood that, with the
Of the Democrats. the members
# that committee are unanimously in
ayor Of the passage Of the bill. They have
prepared their report, and are ready to sub
nit IT, If this course should be decided
IpOn, there will be no opportunity for Blr.
Cannon 70 offer his amendment in regard
% habeas corpus, which is regarded by
every one as the principal point in the bill.