Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-06-18
WASHINGTON.

special Ielegraphie Cor. Ceurier-J 0urnal.i
W~AsRIEGTON, June l6.-The internal
revenue bill now pending in the House is
of general consequence to the people Of
the South and " est. Besides the great
relief t the tobacco growers aud manu-
iacturers by reducing the tax from "a to
l6 cents per pound, there are in the bill
a number Of changes modifying the ma.
chinery of the internal reVenue system,
which, in the opinion of Mr.. Carlisle and
other Representatives, greatly smeliorate
the hardship of the present laws and
render its passage eminently desirable.
The bill has had a hard gauntlet to run.
First there is the opposition Of the bsdy
Of the Republicans, led by Garfield and
Foster, and OF the Internal Revenue Blu.
resu, who want to keep up the system
which leVies taxes on the farmers and
exempts the wealthy Of the Eastern
States. Second, Mr.. Knots reading Of
bis report took up nearly an hour of the
most valuable time yesterday, when the
true policy wal to push the tobacco bill
to a vote. IDjudieious amendments of.
fered BY friends of the bill also put it in
jeopardy, but the worst blow OF all was
struck by Mr.. Carter Harrison, Of Hi.
nois, in offering his long aud foolish in
come tax proposition. Il forced a large
number Of members either to vote for a
measure which would defeat both income
tax and tobacco tax reduction; or, on
the other hand, to give q vote apparently
against the income tax, and thus
be made liable to misrepresentation and
injustice. Numbers OF the gentlemen
thus felt themselves compelled to vote for
the amendment. who we're indignant at
the unmitigated folly and selfshness and
weak love OF notoriety, which, in spite
Of all appeals of friends, had thrust this
issue on the house. If the internal rev.
enue bill shall fail to pass both houses at
this session, the result will largely be due
10 Mr.. Carter Harrison. II it had gone
through the house last evening, there
would nave been q fair chance to pass il
in the senate this month. Now this is
doubtful. II is thought the tobacco
measure will pass the house tomorrow
Unless the session be prolonged, it will
be hard to gstit before the senate Prob
ably a majority Of the senate finance
committee will vote to report il for &C.
ton, though the New York and Lorillard
lobby is very anxious TO defeat it.
COMMISSIONER BRYAN.
Mr.. Thomas B. Bryan, lately district
commissioner, retires from Office under
the new law. with the respect and graft
tude Of the best element of this city for
his labors to protect their interest. h,
will at once begin the practice Of law ia
the various United States Courts in thil
city.
n PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
The Potter investigating committee
will probably adjourn till congress shall
wind up They cannot possibly attemp
to work during the closing hours Of con
gress. II is How obvious that Mr.. Stan
ley Matthews will not be required by th,
house OF representatives to testify. Dc
spite the comments Of the press corr
s~pondents, the best nformedlperson her,
OF both parties are of opinion that Sena
tor Matthews has been saddled with 81
undue share Of blame. There is D,
proof whatever that be had aught to d,
with the frauds set up by the LouisianI
members OF bis party. His error seem
70 have been 10 trying to protect hi
party associates from exposure, and hi
trouble now SEEM To be that he is prG
cluded by q sense Of honor from goin
before the committee and freely givin
up the secrets which would damage Their
and not himself. In this way he ha
been made a scapegoat for others o
lenses. The ~ultraists, who want tn
; bloody.shirt policy revived, are anxiou
to break him down by making him al
pear as the leader, instead Of John She
man and hls Washington associates.
II POST ROUTE BILL.
The post.route bill, containing Ii
Brazil mail subsidy, is in the hands Of
conference committee Of the two house,
The friends Of the subsidy desire to hav
F, report e~xpunging those features of III
= bill modifying the postal rates, whic
made IT subject 10 the point Of being
}. revenue bill, which ought to originate i
the house Of Representatives. The speaI
=, er holds that the bill, having been r
> turned TO the senate, is not properI
before the committee, and can not
reported Tor action in any shape. II tn
view be sustained by the house it will |
fatal 70 the bill; but an effeft will |
made to override it il the speaker sha
): persisl IN his ruling. Il o w.
g The Rev s. Wood, Of Arlington, X,
70 was III on a recent Sunday, so his W,
- stepDe0 intO the nuln;t 81 49,.