The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-02-05
From Our Regular Correspondent

JOHNSTON oN.THE SILVER BILI.-PERsoNAL,
&C., &C.
From Our Regular Correspondents
WASHINGTON, February 4.-Thc discus
sion OF the tariff bill will commence to-mor-
row in the Ways and Means Committee, and
will be protracted one. The final passage
of the reform tariff bill by Congress seems
extremely doubtful, though there are many
members OF Congress who favor it who
smile at the idea of its defeat. They say
the opposition comes from New England,
&C., and that the South and West are clam
orous for tariff reform, and that the pro-
posed bill is Democratic measure. Now,
| il it passes it will be cut to pieces consid-
eraby. But let us look at the facts: The
Democratic majority in the House is only
twelve, while there is Democratic minors
ty in the Senate. Republicans cannot be
relied on TO pass Democratic measures. or
the Democratic majority eleven are from
Pennsylvania. and the iron interest there
is thoroughly aroused. Next Saturday
Pittsburgh will have all her iron mills closed
aud 10000 iron-workmen will parade the
streets and hold 1emonstrance meeting
against the proposed tariff changes. Then
ut Philadelphia national convention OF
iron-manulacturers is called for the 30th TO
enter their protest and provide for the de-
feat of the new bill. These factshave made
an impression in some quarters here. Per
contra, it is stated that Republican members
I, IN cfa
the bill. How was it the other day when
the wbiskey question came up? Every Re-
publican nearly was in his seat under tho
rough drill while nearly thirty Democrats
were absent, and even some who were
present failed to vote with their party. The
Democrats lack both drill and leadership.
wIIsKEY, TOBACCO, AND L1CoEICE.
The prevailing opinion in all circles here
considers the reduction Of the tax on whiS-
key at this session as completely defeated
already. A few OF those experienced in
congressional legislation, however, are OF
opinion that it will so through with tobacco.
again state by authority that the SUBJ
Committee on Internal Revenue will report
to the full committee this week (probably
Thursday, and thatsthe report, which will
60 to the House, will place the tobacco-taX
ut sixteen cents. Under the present law
imported licorice pays ten cents, gold,
and the proposed tarifTeform bill makes it
five cents, gold. Now Mr.. Tucker will
move in committee to make all licorice free
which goes into the manufacture OF tobacco
for domestic consumption or for expectation
abroad. This, it is urged, will largely in
crease expectation and cripple the Canada
factories.
The Ways and Means Committee will
meet every day after this week.
RETURN OF GovERoR WALKER.
Governor Walker, who returned to the
city Saturday from California, was in his
seat to-day. and looked very finely. His
first remark after shaking hands was to say
what capital thing it is that we are to
have General Joseph E. Johnston in Con-
gress from the Richmond district. In re-
Spouse to questions he informed your CORE
spondent that the people of the Pacific
coast are for the silver bill, but that the
money kings are against 1t. The working
people to a man arc for driving out the
Chinese, and that all want further immlgra-
ton OF Mongolians prohibited. Apropos,
Mr.. Goode, by instruction q the Labor
Committee, reported Joint resolution re-
uuesting the President to open negotiations
with both the Chinese and British Govern
ments locking to the stoppage Of the fur
ther emigration OF Chinese to this coun-
try. This had already beef forwarded by
your correspondent, and is regarded as ims
portant by the Californians here.
SENATOR JOHNSTON ON SILVER, ETC.
Tomorrow Senator Johnston, OF Virgil
mia, expects to address the Senate in favor
of the siver-bil, and his colleague is on
the same side. BY the way, every mem
Der OF the House from Virginia, is on the
record in favor of its restoration to equal
dignity with gold as coin. Senator john
ston has written letter to Mr.. st. Andrew,
of the Farmvile Mercury, for publication,
in which he calls the attention OF the rail-
roads and the people to the importance OF
holding out to immigrants the induce
ments of cheap fares to Virginia. AS it
now is u man can leave Virginia very
cheapy, but he has to pay at high rate
to come into the State to make it his home.
A FIRST-CLAsS SENSATION.
The report that J. Madison Wells was in
| the city made many OF the newspaper cor
respondents extra energetic Sunday, and
| ,op,o NJ tho opeounts of it sent over the
wires will long testify upon what little
foundation tirst-class newspaper paragraphs
can be made.
THE HOUSE FAyoRS AN INCOME TAX.
A resolution instructing the Ways ant
Means Committee to report Il bill taxing in
comes. with a reasonable minimum eXemp
ton, failed to receive to-day the required
two.thirds' vote, but the majority was sc
| overwhelming that it is believed on all side:
the committee will obey the expressed wisl
| OF the House. Governor Walker was the
only yirginian present who voted against
the resolution.
The income vote to-day in the House CON
tinues marvellous surprise even to its adj
vocates. At II O'Clock tonight newspaper.
men and congressman are alike unable to
take in its full meaning.
Mr.. Wood and other members OF the com.
mittee are talking it over at the chairman's
residence. The fact that Eugene Hale, OF
Maine. and colleague, all the New Hamp.
shire and the united Michigan delegation,
voted In the affirmative, and other facts rs