Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1879-04-10
Views Of Hon. Alex. II. Stephens,
of Georgia.

WASHINGTON, March 31.-Tbc tenor of
the discussion 10 the Democratic CAUCUS of
4 yesterday has been very generally com
mentcd upon to day, and it is accepted as
conclusive that thcro will be much longer
session Of the present Congress than was
expected. There il little doubt that there
has been an effort made, on the part of
many Of the conservative Democrats, to
work up sentiment in favor of short
scssion, and it was thought whcn tho caucus
met yesterday that tho sentiment was strong
enough to secure declaration against at
tempting any general legislation. Such q
declaration would probably havo boon made
had it not been for Alexander H. Stephens,
who made the speech which turned the
tide, and procured an expression directly
opposite TO what had been expected. In
speaking upon tho subject day, Mr.
Stephens said to the Times correspondent:
IL regard it as settled now that the com
mittees will be appointed and that we will
go on with legislation. I think VIC should
do so; that is what said in the caucus,
aud [ give ny reasons therefor; but my
remarks have been misrepresentod, and |
have not seen fair statement of my posi-
tion in any of the papers. What | did say
was 10 substance as follows:
"Tho occasion is grave one. A very
heavy responsibility rests upon tho
Democrats of tho House and Of the Senate.
It is the frat time in many years that both
branches arc Democratic 1t is true that
called by tho President, but the Forty sixth
Congress is now 10 session, and it should
not only look to the special legislation for
which it was convened, but to all other
business that legitmatoly belongs 10 it. l
am therefore very muoh avorsc to limiting
legislation to theae two appropriation meas
ures. Tho country, in my judgment, not
witlstanding what has been said to the
contrary, is 10 very depressed condition
in its commerce aud in all its great indus
trios. 1t is needless to say now what has
produced this state Of things. The people
throughout the country, in tho cities and in
the rural districts, are looking to Congress
for relief of tho correction Of that systom
Of legislation which has produced the pres
ent state Of things. do not intend to say
anything now as 10 the character of the
legislation which should bc adopted, but if
Congress should resolve simply to pass tho
two appropriation bills which failed, and
adjoura with deaf car to tho appeals
ooming up from all quarters, | think they
would be derclict 10 tho discharge of thcir
public duties
fHThero aro some matters of legislation
coming up that | think should DO acted
upon at ouce. First, the internal revenue
system should be modified. For myself I
90, FREQ to say that would strike tho entire
system from the statute book. know it is
said thst it is essential for tho maintenance
Of tho credit Of the Govornment--that We
cannot dispense with the largo revenues
derived from that source. There is no one
in this House less disposed to weaken the
credit Of this Government than I, but there
arc othor ways Of collecting tho necessary
revenues, and modes more equal and lust in
their operation, and moro practical than ou,
present system. This, at least, is my judg
mont. Without going iuto details, I must
say that think the present system, which
subjects the farmer TO penalty Of IL
months in tho Albany Penitentiary 70,
distilJipg his own grain or fruits for his owr
use is mopstrous outrage. [ think tha
for his own use man has as much right t
boil bis corn into whiskey as another has +,
boil IL into hominy. But, it is said, whore
viii yon get tho revenue that comes from
this 'sourcep I cay, remodel your tariff
Fson, tho present free list many sdditiouo
millions may be raised. From the prescn
pYohibitory list many moro millions may b
raiscd by reducing existing dutics 10 rcreuu,