The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-02-15
washington.

SUBJ bAS go
washington.
CIRCUMSTANCES AGAINST THE PROPOSED RE-
,rcrIoS IN THE wHIsKEY-TAx--THET TEXAS
,,,rrpIc.--THg pIAz GorERNMENT-PERs0S-
. Al, &C. =
rFrom Our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, February IA. - Secretary
sherman and Commissioner Raum this
morning sent communication to the
House, in which they expressed great alarm
that the tax on whiskey and tobacco had
fallen Oft S4,0oo.0O0, and that there ought
to be no reduction on either. They fur
thermore suggested that the taxes should be
increased on all subjects, il necessary to
raise the am cunt required by the Govern
mept. This document created consider
able
SENSATION AND NO LITTLE INDIGNATION,
any number OF Democrats taking the posi-
ton that the Secretary had no right to OBJ.
trude his advice upon Congress until asked
for it. Mr.. Harrison, OF Illinois, was par
ticularly indignant, and wanted it laid
upon the table.
air. Wood, chairman OF the Ways and
Means Committee, said it seems to be the
opinion Of the Secretary that Congress cam
not alter laws, however oppressive, because
in so doing the revenue may be diminished.
The House has charged its Finance Com
mittee with revision OF the taX-laws for
the country; and pending the considera-
ton OF the subject values must be more OF
less affected. This applies not only to sub
jects OF internal revenue but to foreign
goods. He attached no importance to the
falling OF OF the revenue; and when the
Secretary OF the Treasury undertakes to
dictate to Congress as to its duty and as to
what the Ways and Means Committee ought
to do he transcends his official authority.
He agreed with the Secretary that
THE EXPENSES OF THE GOVERNMENT OUGHT TO
BE CURTAILED.
Mr.. Atkins asked whether the Secretary
OF the Treasury could not suggest plan
by which the expenses Of the Government
could be reduced.
Dir. Butler thought that great Injustice is
done to manufactures by the delay in the
settlement OF the tobacco question, and the
remedy was to be found in an Immediate
and definite declaration on the part Of the
House whether or not it means to reduce
the tax on tobacco. AS the case stands
now no one will buy and the holders will be
ruined. He suggested that the Committee
on Ways and Means report at once just
such resolution as he had indicated. In re-
Spouse to a pertinent question by Mr.. Saylsr.
Mr. Butler added, NLet us settle it one
way or the other, and don't leave men to be
ruined while we are discussing whether q
bargain was made at Wormley's Hotel on 9
certain day."
Mr.. Wood: 1t is an error to legislate in
the plece-meal way suggested by the gen.
t!eman from Massachusetts. The proper
plan is to consider the whole system Of taxa
ton together. The-Government requires g
certain amount OF money to pay the interest
on the public debt and to meet current ex.
penses. This must be divided among all
subjects of taxation. And yet gentlemen
would have Congress, under
A FEELING OF EXCITEMENT,
without delibcration. destroy the symmetry
OF the bill the committee is framing.
Mr.. Tucker thought the paper should &C
10 the Ways and Means Committee instead
OF the Appropriation Committee, as sug
gested by Mr.. Wood. The views Of the
gentleman from Massachusetts:if concurret
in, would PREJUDICE the question of tobacco
reduction when the committee is earnestly
considering it. The Secretary announces ;
falling Oft in the revenue on whiskey ant
tobacco. OF course there is falling of il
consequence Of the burdensome tax imposed
on them. This is just what he and those
who, with him, favor a reduction, told thu
the Secretary at the beginning OF the ses
sion. A reduction OF the tax will, he con
tended, increase the revenue. Now gen
tlemen would, by hasty resolution, cu
down the hopes of those who anXiously de
sire reduction.
THE OPPRESSIVE TAX ON TOBACCO.
Why not pass upon iron or quinine il
the same summary way? He was tired o
this cry that you can't interfere with OF cor
rect bad system because in so doing yol
affect trade. The present burdensome law
were passed years ago, and it is now tim
when all Of the industries Of the countr!
should be given relief. Mr.. Tucker alluded
pointedly to the fact that the documen
came not from the President in pursuance
Of his constitutional prerogative, but from
the Secretary OF the Treasury, from whom
Congress had solicited no advice on the sub
iect.
Mr.. Harrison, OF Illinois, after denounc
ing the interference OF the Secretary, char
acteriZed him as that man who by his Of
fetal acts is daily. bringing the countr.
nearer and nearer to ruin.
The Speaker decided that according t,
precedent and his construction Of the Law
the Secretary had the right to send the com
munication, and Mr., Stephens agreed will
MIN.
Mr.. Foster said he was surprised to hea
Messrs. Wood and Tucker say that they dit
not regard the whiskey-tax as settled bu
both promptly replied that he misunder
stood them. BE wanted the Committee o
Ways and Means to bring in bill RICH
away fixing the tax on tobacco, because th'
agitation is doing business incalculabl'
harm.
Mr. Wood said the resolution Of Mr.. Fcs
ter the other day in regard to whiskey in
terfered with the committee just as they
were almost