New-York tribune., 1875-02-12
WASHINGTON.
THE DEBATE ON TAXES AND TARIFFS


Ma. DAwEs's PREVIOUS ASSURANCES AS TO THE
CONDITION OF THE FINANCEs-MR WOODS REA-
SONS PoR OPPOSING ANY ADDITIONAL TAXATION.
lBr TELEGRAPH TO The TRIBUNE.l
WAsHNGToS Thursday, Feb. IL, 1878.
1t will be year ago tomorrow when Mr. Dawes
made the first of his two speeches of last session on
the financial condition of the Government. short
time before that, Secretary Richardson had DIS
covered that his expenses were likely 10 DC
greater than his income, and In a great
state of excitement he called upon Congress
10 increase the taxes and give him more revenue
At that time business Of almost every kind was de-
pressed and the party was about to enter upon the
Congressional campaign. Mr.. Dawes, the Chairman
Of the Financial Committee of the House, threw
himself into the breach and strongly pro-
tested that there was no occasion Tor
alarm that the revenues of the Government
would be ample. and that with that measure
Of economy which the Republican party would
practice. all the obligations of the Government
would be met Again. on the last of the session, fol-
lowing Gen. Garfield, who. announced that
the appropriation bills had been cut
down S25OOOOOO Mr.. Dawes repeated the
assurances he had given four months before and
announced TO the House. that there would be plenty
Of money to enable the Government to meet the
Sinking Fund and all its obligations. With these
two speeches still fresh in the memories OF the
people, it is not strange that Mr. Dawes should have
deemed it necessary to spend the greater part of the
hour and half which he occupied in opening the de-
bate, in explaining why he had changed his
After an elaborate explanation of the present con-
dition of the finances and the need and objects OF
the proposed bIll he closed with an earnest appeal
TO Republicans and Democrats for its support.
The remainder of the afternoon occupied by
Mr. Fernando Wood. Having made a few good ma
tured thrus;s at Mr.. Dawes Mr. Wood asserted that
TIC monthly debt statements published by the
Treasury Department did not give correct
account of the public debt In that debt
he saw included $140OO,OOO for the naval
pension fund, which in no sense a
debt of the United States. Again. there were coin
certificates amounting to S246S5 900 included by the
Secretary in his statement of the amount of coin on
hand. Then there was the matured and unpaid debt
money set aside to pay bonds, most of which had
been lost or destroyed-and the greenbacks and
three per cent certificates. Now, in computing the
one per cent to be carried to the Sinking
Fund, all these items were counted, and
swelled the apparent deficit OF that fund
much above what it really was. On the other
hand the Secretary based his estimates on the re-
ceipts of last year, which had been marked by an
almost unprecedented depression in business, In
which revival would greatly increase the reye-
nues. Again. the little tariff bill, signed by the
President on Monday. would probably yield
S4OO0OOO a year and the increase of duties enacted
in the revised statutes $5,0000Oo more. Taking
these and other facts into consideration, Mt WOOD
did not think there was any occasion for present
increase OF taxes and tariffs
SOUTHERN MEASURES BEFORE THE CAUCUS.
AsIENDER ATrENDA ANCE-THE JOINT CAUCUS BILL
UNDER prsCUssIoN-DOUBTs AS TO ITS CONsrI-
TUTIoNAIrY-M REGARDING IT AS AT
REST INOPPORTUNE.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBCEE.l
WASHINGTON Feb. IA Joint Republican caucus
of the two Houses was called for this evening but
no TO the time Of adjournment after three hours
scseion not single Senator had presented himself,
and the slender attendance of members showed the
want of interest the Southern question: when
tbe caucus was called tie consider. There were less
than so members present. The joint caucus
Lii was the ouy matter considered, and on this the
debate WAS general The discussion indicated that
even majority of those present were opposed 10 IT,
Mr.. ]. Amber Smith of Virginia moved to strike
ont the thiid section, as to place the Northern
States on the same footing as the southern. On
tl,is he made speech against the whole Dill
as unnecessary and il-advised. Messrs. Dawes,
Cobb. Williams Of Michigan, and others,
also made speeches holding that the Dlil was
doubtful as TO cOnstitutCnality, and was at TINS
time inopportune. Mr.. Lawrence Of Ohio was its
and TO most OF the members present was probably
distasteful. He thought the bill was within the
Constitution ard that Congress he'd right to pass
ANYTHING for the protection of any class OF the
people of the country. Mr. Hawlcy OF Connecticut
made very striking and liberal speech. lie thought
the hill. besides being measure of doubtful
wisdom, was useless and miSchleyous lie also
Thought it unconstitutional. Some sharp words
wore exchanged between Nj Lawrence on the one
side and Messrs Dawes Cobb, and others on the
other side No decision whatever was reached, and
an adjournment until tomorrow night was carried
without opposition
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL.
IEGIsLAIIoN FOR MR.. KINGS TRIAL FOR
PERJURY
WASHINGTON. Thursday. Feb. II, 1875.
An interesting incident lnthe history OF the racine
Mail investigation occurred in the House on Monday
last few months ago it was discovered that there
was no legal provision for a grand jury in this
District. Early in the present session OF Con-
gress bill was passed to correct temporarily
,b;s dafect in fhe law, and grand jury