The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-03-10
CONGRESS.
WAsRINeroN, March 9.
SENATE.

WAsnINeroN, March 9.
SENATE
Mr.. Christiancy presented petition
Of the members Of the bar of Detroit in
favor of establishing an intermediate
court Of appeals as part of the judicial
system of the United States. Referred.
Mr.. Cragin, from the Committee on
Naval Affairs, reported back the bill
authorizing the payment OF prize
money to the officers of the Farragut feet
for the destruction of the enemy's vessels
in 1862, and asked it to be referred to
the committee on appropriations. So
ordered.
Mr.. Caulfeld, from the the Judiciary
Committee reported back the substitute
for the Senate bill, fixing the terms of
the United States Courts in West Vir-
glnia. Passed.
Mr.. Hurd Of Ohio, from the same com.
mittee reported bill to regulate the re-
moval of suits from the State Courts to
the United States Courts, After an ex-
planation the bill passed.
Mr.. Hurd also rejected bill TO pro-
vide for holding the terms of the United
States District and Circuit Courts at
Fort Wayne. Passed.
Mr.. Cockrell offered resolution in
structing the Committee on Judiciary to
inquire whether patents for lands have
not been improperly issued to the South
ern Pacific Railroad Company. Ordered
printed and to lie on the table.
Mr.. Harvey presented joint resolu-
from the Kansas Legislature, regarding
legislation regu ating Indian reserva-
tions, rights of freedmen and others in
Indian Territories. Referred.
Preventing Frauds I'm Revenue Col.
Iectiops.
Mr.. Gordon called up the resolution
submitted by him on Tuesday, instruct
ing the Committee on Finance TO ascer-
tain if possible, what amennments to our
revenue laws are necessary to secure
economy aud, certainty in the collection
of internal revenues, and prevent re-
currence of official fraud in that branch
of public service, and he modified the re.
solution to read as follows:
WHEREAS, The frequent and enor-
nous frauds committed by the distillers
and government officials have deprived
the government of large proportion OF
its Legitimate revenues, and brought dis
repute upon an important branch OF the
public service; and,
WHEREAS, The interests of the people
and the good name of the government
demand that Congress shall take imme-
diate steps to amend the laws, to secure
economy and honesty in the collection of
the Internal Revenue; therefore.
ResoLred, That the Committee on FL
nance be instructed TO ascertain, if posi-
Bile, what are the defects in the present
system, and what legislation is necessary
to remedy these detects. and especially
to INQUIRE First, whether it be advisa-
Bile to so amend the laws as to levy the
whisky tax directly upon the capacity of
the fermenting tubs, and require it to be
collected in advance; and Second, To
create corps of excisemen to hold office
indefinitely, and to be removable only
for'incapqcity or malfeasance in office.
Mr.. Gordon said as the resolution pro-
posed radical change in the revenue
laws, it was therefore proper that he
should explain the reason and necessity
for such u change, and he disclaimed in
advance any disposition to reflect on the
head OF the revenue bureau or Treasury
Department His purpose was to deal
with the system alone and show It's de
fects.
Mr.. joyce would Have been Honest
had this resolution been adopted three
wears ago. Even Joyce would have been
compelled to act as an honest man. The
whisky distlliers would have paid the tax
and the whisky ring would have been
impossible Money enough would have
been saved to the government to pay the
cost OF one hundred Centennial exhibl-
tions, or build Pacific Railroad, not
only TO Cali ornis, but around the world
if there WAS land to sustain it. He be-
lieved tnaL there should have been re-
ceived into the treasury since 1864 over
II, ,200,0 100000 from the tax on whisky,
but instead of that only about
s45O,O00,000 had been receiy-
ed. Take into consideration the
fact that the production as well as the
consumption had been increased by the
Southern States resuming their relations
with the Federal Government, aud he
believed that at least 500 100000 had
been lost 10 the Government on account
of the the whisky frauds. Where has
this money gone? Into the pockets Of
dishonest dstlllers, or what was worse
into the pockets of dishonest Govern
ment officials. 1t has brought disgrace
and decentralization on the conntry.
Why was it that England under the
same system could collect Ten times
rs much in gold as the United States
could in green backs2 1t was because
England appointed her officers solely to
collect taxes, while here they were APP
pointed to collect taxes and help the
party which for time might happen to
to be in power. Applause in the GAL
laries. but promptly checked by the pre-
siding officer The English excise officer
WAS forbidden to belong to any party or
ganiza.Ion, but here such officers not only
belong TO party organizations, bat
he must belong to the party, and for the
party to which he WAS indebted for his
commission he must work and pay TO the
party appointing him, and if he refused
to do SO. his official hesd went of. In
England the revenue system was success
and the pride of the people, while IN the
United States the same system was an
ignominous failure; famous only from q
failure, and conspicuous from crime;
infamous with the ipeople and
q disgrace TO the country. As long as the
revenue officers were appointed by the
party for the time in power, the coun-
try would have these corruptions. Tice
metres might be increased; diligence
might be doubled and agents quadrupled,
but as long as the agents were appoint
ed on account of their party influence, So
long would dishonest distillers bribe dis
honest officials. he wished to add his
deep conviction that whs,ever party
might be called on 10 administer the
government, If it appointed men to col.
lect taxes on account ofthsir party infu-