The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-03-06
Last NIGHTS Dispatches.
CONGR e 8 ION AL.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, March 5-Mr. Beck op-
posed the reference of his resolution,
declaring it inexpedient to levy and collect
taxes for the maintenance of sinking
fund, to the Committee on Finance. He
renewed his previous arguments and de-
clared that our whole system of Federal
taxation was unjust and heavy. He argued
that the Astors, SteNarts and Vanderbilts
should give their just share towards the
expenses of the government. Whatever
financial legislation should be enacted,
depression would continue under the
oppressive taxation. He mentioned the
decline of ship building. and said our COM
meree which in 1861 was rapidly passing
that of Great Britian, has fallen off He
favored the repeal Of the navigation laws
and high protective tariff, which had we'll
nigh destroyed our commercial marine.
The sinkind fund was now in condition to
meet all pledges. There was no necessity
| to levy taxes for it at present. He opposed
| all subsidies He would encourage com
petition and discountenance combinations.
He favored free ship stores, removal of all
taxation on ships and their supplies. He
favored an income tax so as to raise $23,-
100000 annually. At present poverty
bears the burdens of the government,
while wealth escapes. He feared Messrs.
| Morrill, and Dawes would control the
Finance Committee and defeat his resolu
tlon. The Treasury Department should
have collecting and disbursing secre
tary, who should be check on each other.
| dis resolution was to revise commerce, not
to weaken credit
| Mr.. Morrill, said he was willing to do a
great deal to reduce taxation, but thought
it strange that Mr. Beck should want this
important resolution passed without re-
terring to the Finance Committee. The
navigation laws, which Mr.. Beck 6enounc-
ed were the same as iu 1851. He denied
that the poor were oppressed and the rich
favored by present taxation. The fact
that no people on earth are clad better
than Americans proved that taxes didn',
oppress them lie hoped this would not
be one of the resolutions to be passed
under the whip and spur of outside in
fiuence, The removal of taxes was &
pleasant duty. but their imposition wa!
sometimes patriotic necessity,
The motion to refer to Finance Commit
tee was agreed to without division.
Adjourned.
/ HOOSG.
WASHINGTON, March 5.
The fortifcation appropriation bill ap
propriates 100000 for works of defence
| S125, 600 for the armament of Notifications
and $4,000 for harbor and torpedo defen
ces The bill was laid aside for report t.
the House.
Mr.. Durham made speech on the bil
authorizing the Secretary of the Treasur
T to employ temporary clerks and maxim
appropriation for them.
Mr.. Kelly, by unanimous consent, mad
speech in reply to Mr.. Garfeld's o
resumption. He denied Mr.. Garfield
statement that the year 1860 was prospeI
Gus. and sustained his position by quotin
from various authorities. He declare
that Madison and Jefferson aDd Alexande
Hamilton were exceptions to Mr.. Garfield
t sweeping assertion, that no President {
4 statesman ever favored any money bJ
/ standard gold. He refuted Mr. Garfield
? assertion that Senators and members WEI
reluctant to pass the legal tender act. Ha
t Mr., Garfeld's argument been made
t 1862 it would have been denounced as tt
5 kissing of a venomous copper head. Il
:, garding resumption he said: With $65
: 100000 of gold in the Treasury, with mol
s in the hands of the people and $700,O00,0 OK
r to be redeemed, it was proposition
insanity. He concluded as follows: lnstes
g of business revivlng everywhere pric
d lcontinue to shrink, wages to fall, emplo
IS ment for labor, skilled or unskilled beeom
y more difficult to obtain, and the nation
d APPALLED, by profouuder gloom than has ev
,s Swallowed it since the gentleman's 9th
s. prosperous year of 1860. This sad conditit
d will continue and will from month to mon
% intensity until that menace to coDhcenC
s. the resumption act, shall be repealed,
to cannot be otherwise. The silver bill "
an act of justice, not of relief. Its 60
influence cannot be felt appreciably un
restored confidence will justify an enlarl
ment of the circulation of money a
40 credit. The bonds have not fallen I
20 gold risen since its passage over the Pre-
y. dent's veto. Its, enemies have be
10 confounded by experience, and SO too "
DO its friends be if the resumption act
u permitted to disgrace our statue books,
ay Mr.. Garfield rose to reply to him and
OF to have an hour for that purpose when
or House again goes into committe on
re bill.
The committee rose and Mr.. Fort int
", duced bill to authorize the preparat
90 of fine or standard silver bars of the va
ne of $lOl. ZOO and for deposit of the same
re the United States Treasury and issue {
tifcates thereon. Referred.
Adjourned.