The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-04-11
T0P IcS Oh THE TIMES.
ATrAsas al T1sE rAraoNAL cAprrAL.

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| sEcEETARY SHERMAN MOVING IN THE
MATTER OF RESUMPTION OF SPECIE.
1 PAYsfENTs--THE WAYS AND MEANS con-.
MITTEE FAVOR THE RETAINING OF THE
| INCOME TAx--REpEAL OF THE BANK
| RUPTACT BEFORE THE sENATE-A $780,
600 EMBEZzLEMENT IN MAssACHU.
sETTs-THE REPUBLICAN, CAUcUs-coM
MENTs on THE RECENT DEBATE IN
PARLIAbfENT-rNTER AND siGNT-
FICANT CORRESPONDENCE FROM sT. Pc
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. IN LONDON
AT PRINCE GoRTsCHAKoFF's REPLY TO
LORD sALIsBURY's OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
s1vE MOVEMENTS OF RUSSIANS On RoU-
| MANIA, &C., &c.
Washington.
THE TExAs-PAcIPIC sINKING-FUSD BILL,
AGAIN--A BILL TO TAX WORCESTERSHIRE
SION OF THE SINKING FUND-THE TARIFF
| AND VIRGINIA FARMERS-THE ToBACCo-TAX
| QUESTION AND THE BANKRUPT LAw--GENE-
RAJ SHIELDS IN THE SENATE YESTERDAY
| PERSONAL, &C.
from Our Regular Correspondent
Il
Of the Thurman bill were still talking to-day
| in regard to their defeat last night, and are
unable to account for its completeness.
They knew that the Thurman bill upon a
fair trial OF strength would pass. but they
thought they could carry the Blaine amend
ment, and practically defeat it; and the
amendment did receive the votes Of Messrs.
Jones of Florida, Plumb, Voorhees,, and
| Rollins, who afterwards voted for the bill
| when their efforts to amend it had failed.
Mr.. Teller, who voted for the amendment,
failed to vote at all on the final passage Of
the bill, and Mr.. Dorsey, who was paired
on it, voted against the bill. Mr..
Edmunds stated that the objections OF
Dir. Conkling to the bill. were not funda-
mental. Mr.. Conkling was absent and pair-
ed with Mr.. Cameron, OF Pennsylvania. The
bill, its opponents admit, will pass the
House, as similar bill passed that body last
session with little opposition, but they talk
of defeating it in the Supreme Court. 1t is
hardly possible, however, that Messrs. Ed
munds and Thurman, the best lawyers in
lean efforts to get through an unconsttu-
tional bill. The friends Of the railroads,
by the way, give these statesmen full credit
for the ability they displayed all through
the debate, which has been one OF the best
OF the session; and one Of them to-day re.
marked in the presence of your correspond
emit that these Senators were the ablest that
bad occupied seats in the body since the
death of Morton and Fessenden.
TIE INCoME-TAX AGREED UPON.
The Ways and Means Committee to-day
determined to report bill taxing incomes,
but came to no conclusion as to its details.
This will be done at the next meeting.
There was an earnest discussion upon this
one side contending that there should be
uniform per cent. on all incomes over $4,000,
and the other that the tax should be gradu-
ated, holding that the man with the largest
income is best able to pay literally towards
the support OF the Government. This was
the view Of Mr.. Tucker, Of Virginia, who
SAYS the $1,000 represents the necessa-
ries Of life, the $4,000 the comforts, and
over that amount the luXuries, and that
the luxuries can best stand taxation. Some
OF the gentlemen from the rich districts OF
the North think there is something agrarian
in graduated income-tax, and while they
want no tax, if they are to have one say 1t
ought to be uniform-that is, that all in
comes over $4,000, whether large or small,
rboll nov the sar,e per cent.
AS your correspondents predicted some
time ago those voting for an income-tax
were NIessrs. Tucker, Burchard, Gibson,
Robbins, and Harris OF Georgia.
It looks as il the committee will vote for
n uniform rate OF taxation on all incomes
over $4,000, but an earnest effort will be
made in favor OF a graduated system.
SUSPENSION OF THE SINKING FUND. :.
I asked a leading member tonight
whether the Ways and Means Committee
will report in favor Of the suspension OF
the sinking fund, and he replied promptly,
"Yes; and the House will pass the bill by
large majority. 1t will then remain with
the Senate to say whether it shall go to the
President for his signature" Mr.. Wood,
in his speech, boldly urged suspension
for eight years, contending that at the end
of that time there will be no necessity
for it; and Mr.. Tucker, in his speech,
which will be the next after that of General
Banks, will take similar position. Every
body here is looking for a great speech from
Virginia's representative on the Ways and
Means Committee, and they will not be dis
appointed. 1t is asked frequently, Why re.
port an income-tax il the sinking fund is to
be suspended? and the answer is that Con-
gress may not pass the bill suspending the
sinking fund, and then an income-taX viii
be proper legislation.
THE TARIFF. AND VIRGINIA FARMERS.
Professor Page, Of the University OF Vir
sinia, has written letters to Messrs. Harris
and Tucker, urging that nitrate OF soda and
muriate OF potash, both articles OF prime
| necessity in southern agriculture, be placec
upon the free list. He says the former il
the cheapest source OF nitrogen farmer
can use next to his domestic manures, ano
muriate OF potash the cheapest form Of that
valuable element Of plant food. The farm
ers, he adds, are following his advice ant
buying these articles directly from the i'm
porters, and that a duty on them will pu
them more at the mercy Of the manufactu
| ror, ~ commercial fertilizers than ever be