New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-07-14
AT THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
REDUCTION OF PUBLIC BURDENS.
AN IRREGULAR TARIFF DEBATE IN THE SENATE.
Inv rrIr rr-..

consumed by the Senate this afternoon. preceding
the formal taking up of the Revenue bill in dis
cussion of the merits and virtues of the two po.i-
cal parties and their attitude upon the questions in-
volved in the general subject Of taxation Tho
Democrats were not anxiOus-in fact were gener-
ally very unwilng-tO SEQ any decrease made
in taxation during the present session, be-
lievng they were in better position
for the approaching campaigns in tie several States
if things should remain they arc provided
Republican Congress could be made to appear re-
sponsible for failure reduce taxation, than they
would be if the public demand for a reduction
were needed. They, therefore, brought up every
conceivable argument. and tried every device for
delay short of putting themselves on record by vote
or speech in opposition to the measure.
The Importance of measures upon the calendar,
which might be put In antagOnism with the Reve-
nue. bill, greatly exaggerated The slight which
they assumed would be put upon the Tariff Com
mission just organized under an act of Congress- If
the subject of tariff revision should thus
be taken away from it, was argued
at length, the most earnest opponents Of
the commission evincing the greatest solicitude
for its tender treatment at the hands Of its CREATOR
the Congress of the United States The fuctua-
tions of the thermometer among the nineties,"
and the sullerings to which Senators would be SUBJ
jected were feeingly referred to. But the special
point which the Democrats sought to bring out was
what they termed the new born zeal of Repub cans
for a reduction of taxation, compared with their
attitude when the Tariff Comnlssian bill was un-
der discussion. The Republicans We're of course.
ready with their replies to all imputatons and all
arguments and as is their custom, they refused To
remain upon the defensive, but brought up Demo-
records support of their position and IN re-
futation of the attacks upon them. The debate
yras hardly earnest tla mart of tle Democrats.
since it was impossible that they would put them
selves in actual opposition to the measure
Senator Morgan made some sarcastic illusions to
the assumed change of opinion of the Senator from
Vermont, Mr. Morrill,, who has the Revenue bill IN
charge. He hoped the measure would not be
pressed now If there was any such urgency for the
passage of this measure. was now pretended the
Senate had been mislcd by the Senator from Ver-
mont and Others. He had supposed that the COM
mittee would at least give some indication to the
country of relief and that therefore Congress would
not be put upon the tenterhooks at this session;
but the Senator from Vermont came IN now and
urged that everything else should be laid aside In
order that relief might Immediately be granted to
the country. The positions were not reconcilable.
The country ought to accept from the Senator from
Vermont the assurance he had always given that
the commission was sufficient to relieve all the
difficulties and embarrassments that environ tnc
country under this question of taxation. lie did
not wish to give the Tariff Commission a slap in the
face of this kind.
Senator Pendleton said there no disposition
to oppose any measure for the reduction OF taxes.
Democrats would sit there long as IT was
desired in order to accomplish that end but this
bill would be debated fairly. The Democrats would
90 further in the line of reduction than the Republi-
cans butit was not the desire of the Democrats
not his own at least-tO take up this bill at this
time Senator Beck made special plea for the
calendar which he thought had been neglected.
Senator Sherman said if this Congress adjourned,
whether it be hot cold, without reducing taxa
ton, it would be dereliction of its duty. There
was no sentiment in the country stronger now tnan
that Congress has neglected its duty thus far in not
reducing the taxes. For he was determined
that that should not be laid a his door
Senator Garland thought so much energy and zeal
was improperly bestowed this time; it was in
consistently manifested. The othor day, after the
Tariff Commission had assembled in Washington,
and the president of the commission had made his
congratulatory speech, the House passed this rev.
enue bill He should mOveif the Senate took up the
matter that it be postponed until the second Nom
day in December, so that the Tariff Commission
might report upon it. Mr.. Window replied sarcastic
cally, expressing profound astonishment at the
attitude of the Democrats He supposed they were
unable to sleep soundy in their anxiety to reduce
the burdens of taxatan now borne by the people,
Instead of that they were making every concelva-
bic excuse for postponing such action.
Mr. Bayard said he a member of the commit
tee charged with the consideration of these ques-
tions. He presumed neither the chairman any
member of the committee would say that there had
been the slightest obstacle to the consideration in
the Senate of any proposition to reduce taxation.
Never was the power TO fix the rate of taxation so
important as it is to-day never were the interests
to be affected so large rs they are to-day never
WAS the country brought face to face with the ter
rible problem of the adjustment OF the relations Oh
labor and capital as it to-day: but the Senator
from Ohio and the Senator from Minnesota had
exhibited rather the eastuteness OF skiliuI politicians
than the wisdom of statesmen lie held that tho
majority of the enate lad right TO control the
order of business Ii was the duty Of the minority
10 Law before the Senate the various questions pre-
senting themselves for consideration in order that
the majority might select under their discretion and
upon their sense Of responsibility which
question they would first consider lhe senator from
Ohio said Congress could not adjourn without
reducing taxation Coming from that Senator SO
distinguished as a party leader there was cool
IN the propostion weh was INA. sne So
was bill to reduce taxation appealed TO his nsiDil-
ities Ii took of pound ahd added ton Ihls
bill was simply stub To the larlu commission IN
advance: it was a vote of want OF confidence IN
them lie was willing to take up the bill aud have
1t decided whether the taxing power OF the Govern;
mont could be used III favor OF special classes and
special interests. .,,
Senator Van Wyck expressed his unwillingness TO
proceed with the Revenue bill at thus time IL would
dIsplace the Pembina bill and other measures OF
great Importance. Senator Butler said he was one
of the unfortunaes who voted Tor
the Tariff Commission bill under the
IMPRESSION that it was to put end TO the discus
sion for thus session. TINS newborn zeal came
from tue lash OF tine Republican caucus III wasa
"a IN fo
he was much mistaken tie Democrats would maze
those senator's SICK before the discussion was ended
senator Hawley was ready 10 pe lnaue sio~ ,i !. AZ
fra,, anv diseussion There not the slightest