Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-02-15

dement's of society in Louisiana, and
is institutions had been wen-nigh under
mined. No guilty man had been punished
lnce the Nichols government had been in
lugurated, however it had refused to ex-
end shelter to criminals. If it were shown
hat there was any merit in the case of Ander-
'on, if it should seem that there had been
my bias against him, or that there had been
my degree of vicious public sentiment
nnyerlying the transaction-nay more, if
The Republican leaders in the House. or out
of it, should intervene and ask that the ex-
ecutive clemency be extended, he believed
that the gallant, patriotic, and magnanimous
Governor of louisiana would accede to their
wishes, for one, he, Gibson, would not find
fault with him. He had entered public life
with view of bringing about good under
standing between the North and South, and |
and Southern men had met in Congress, this |
feeling had arisen, and Endlier feelings had |
prevailed.
Mr.. Hale rose to reply, but was met with
cries of Irregular order," from the Demo-
cratic side.
Mr.. Thompson-Then don't talk about
Mr.. Hale then moved to adjourn, but
withdrew his motion at the request of the
Speaker.
The Speaker asked consent to lay be-
fore the House a communication from the
secretary of the treasury, which he said was
a more important matter for discussion than
that which the House was pursuing, as it
was in regard to question which affected
the finances of the country, irrespective of
politics or partisanship.
Consent being given, the Speaker laid be-
fore the House communication from the
Secretary of Treasury, enclosing copy of
letter to him from the Commissioner of In
ternal Revenue, setting out that the internal
revenue receipts for the current fiscal year,
including yesterday, as compared with same
period of last fiscal year, have suffered de-
crease of $4,969,21s, and suggesting
as the cause of this decrease
the agitation for reduction of the tax
on spirits and tobacco. The Secretary urged
upon Congress-, in anticipation of the same
rate of decrease continuing during the next
fiscal year, reduction of the appropriations
to be made for service of the government
during that fiscal year, or an Increase of
taxation in such form as might be best.
The letter from the commissioner of in
ternal revenue recommends the passage of a
resolution in regard to tobacco, similar
to that passed some time ago in regard to
the tax on distilled spirits, declaring reduc-
ton of the tax on that article inexpedient.
Mr.. Wood, of New York, in moving to re-
fer the communication to the committee on
appropriations said that it was an error to
assume that the incidental circumstances
which had caused the falling off in revenues
were of a character that entitled them to any
very great consideration at the other end of
ho IF ho1 1,1y{ no
secretary of the treasury that Congress had
no right to altar existing laws, how
ever vicious they might be,
lest the revenue might fall off, he,
Wood took issue with that assumption.
Congress had charged an important commit
tee with entire revision of the question of
taxes, and If in consequence of the agitation
incidental to delay in preparation of the bill.
the revenues had fallen of, he attached no
particular Importance to that fact But if
the treasury department assumed to dictate
to Congress what it should do in regard to
whisky or tobacco or any other subject of
taxation, he thought it went a little beyond
the legitimate executive provocative belong
ing to it. He concurred with the secretary.
however, that the expenditures of the gov
eminent should be curtailed.
Mr.. Butler thought the House should not
quarrel with the secretary of the treasury in
regard to the wisdom or unwisdom of send
ing the communication, but should pass
some law settling those questions of taxes on
whisky and tobacco, and thus allow business
to go on without suffering from agitation.
Mr.. Wood said that it was an entire error
to legislate i'll piecemeal. If the House
should pass upon those two questions, it
would interfere with the general system of
taxation. If Congress should take part of
the system out of the hands of the commit
tee which had charge of that, it would de-
| range the whole system. He objected to that
style of legislation.
Senator Tucker thought the communica-
ton should go to the committee on ways and
means, but he denied that a reduction of
the tax on whisky and tobacco would reduce
the receipts Of the government.
Mr.. Wood accepted the amendment to send
the communication to the committee on ways
and means.
| Mr.. Harrison stated that the constitution
gave the President the right to communi-
cate to Congress his views on proper legisla-
ton, and that the law gave to the secretary
of the treasury the right to communicate to
Congress information when he was asked for
it, but the House had not asked the Secre-
tary to comment on its action, and until he
was asked the House should receive no sug-
gestion from him. He (Harrison) thought no
reference should be given to the commune
cation. If the secretary deemed it right to
communicate with the House he should let
the President send it in. The House should
not allow any dictation of that sort from the
secretary of the treasury, and he therefore,
moved to lay the communication on the
table.
At this point, amid much laughter, a mes
sage was received from the Senate. stating
that that body had passed the House resolu-
ton declaring reduction of the tax or
whisky to be ine1pedient.
/ Mr.. Wood declined to yield to the motion
to lay on the table.
Mr.. Harrison made point of order thai
the secretary of the treasury had no right t.
send such communication to the House.
The speaker decided that in the first place
the point of order came too late, but waiv
ing that he decided that under the law The
point was not we'll taken. The law made it tn,
| duty of the secretary of the treasury to max,
reports, and to give information to eithe
House when he is required to do SO, or tina
shall appertain to his Office. It had been tn
unvarying practice for the secretary to com
municate to Congress as he saw fit.
Mr.. Foster expressed his surprise to lear
from the chairman of the committee OF
ways and means, and from his colleague
(Sayler) that the committee did not conside
the whisky tax question settled.
Mr.. Wood IN. Y.1-So far as | am con
cerned the gentleman has not understood
me correctly.
Mr.. Foster-The House has by majorit
of 35, and the Senate by vote of 40 to.
declared the reduction Of the whisky tax in
expedient. That question is settled, and
| .o<,.o4 %bo% II ahould no civen ont nnblicj