New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-12-07
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.
A DEMOCRATIC COURT OF CONSCIENCE.
ARGUMENTS BY WHICH GENERAL MANNING WAS
INDUCED TO ACCEPT CERTIFICATE OF ELEc-

WASHINGTON, Dcc O.-lne democrats IN Con-
gress have organized tribunal which, TO say the
least is not only original but unique. The name
given TO it among themselves has not yet been di-
vulged as they do not apparently yeam to have its
designs and doings made public. IL may. however,
be styled not inaptly A Democratic Court OF Com
science" and it's chief function appears to be to pass
upon questions and scruples which may arise In
connection with political theft. This tribunal ap-
pears TO owe its origin to certain scruples OF con-
science the part Of General Manning, of Missis-
sippi which made him hesitate to accept the stolen
certificate of election awarded to him by the Gov.
ernor and Secretary of the State Of Mississippi.
This certificate General Manning honestly believes
belongs to General Chalmers; and he, not being
Fence" naturally enough feels qualms OF
conscience at the idea of acceptingit.
Certain political friends of General Manning In
Congress- however, who appear to be more pro.
foundly versed ID Democratic casuistry than he is,
insisted that he should become the beneficiary Of
the fraud perpetrated in bis behalf and that of the
Democratic party, and as a means OF overcoming
his conscientious scruples suggested that the mat
ter should be submitted to the aggregate or average
Democratic conscience as represented by the Sena-
tors and Representatives belonging to that party.
The suggestion was accepted and last night the
first session of the Court of Conscience was
held about a score of Senators and Repres natives
from the North, West and South being
present OF course no detailed report of the pro-
ceedings has been furnished for publication but o
very general outline of the discussions has been
obtained from sources which appear to be trust,
worthy. Mr. Manning present and explained
the scruples and uncertainties which trouble him
and cause HIN to hesitate about accepting the
stolen certificate lie also informed th3 court hat
he had received notice Of contest from General
Chalmers Moreover he remarked that tine "cerI
tifcate" although not yet filed with the Clerk
OF the House. was where it con.d be
obt med upon very short notice, should 1t
he decided that he (Slanningl ought to hle it,
Furthermore, he expressed the belief that of the
honest "unbOught votes" in the ballOt-bOxes he
had received o majority. The eminent casussts
who composed the Court then discussed the sub
ject. in it's various bearings. Several Mississippi
representative es inclined to the opinion that General
Manning ought to return" the certificate -
which he has not yet accepted ION the ground
that for him to retain and claim seat in Congress
on the strength Of it, might cost the DenOciato
party than his services would be worth to its
1t is understood that in this opinion the Northern
aud Western members OF the Court did not cOnvur.
General Manning they said, believed that he had
received majority of the unbought votes IN the
ballot-boxes; Chalmers had begun contest let
Manning therefore take the certificate" which
had been so providentally awarded to him and
compel Chalmers to prove to .he satisfaction of q
Democratic House that Manning lid not receive q
majority OF the "unbought votes" This they
thought would easily solve all tho difficulties,
satisfy the conscientious srruples OF General Man.
ming which had excited their warmesJ admiration,
and withal gave the Democrats another vote in the
next Congress. This plan met the hearty approval
of large majority of those present. and is reported
to ha afiafap
Abram 5. Hewitt and some other prominent mem.
bers OF the Court absent, it was thought best
to leave the matter open until another session
could be held
General Chalmers has fled with Clerk McPherson
protest against the placing OF General MannIngs
name ou the roll Of the next House. The main
points of the protest and Of the evidence staining
il were published in The TRIBUNE of Saturday last,
General Chalmers has asked for a hearing by the
Clerk of his protest, and 1t will be granted aftcr
General Manning has filed his certificate"
THE TARIFF AND INTERNAL REVENUE.
THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS
EQUALLY DIVIDED ON THE TOBACCO TAX QUEs-
TON.
rBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
WASHINGTON, Dec. 6.-Chairman Kelley and Mr.
Randall of the Ways and Means Committee, wore
the air of men who performing an at Of grace
and magnaDimity yesterday when they consented
that the minority" of the committee might have
several days In winch 10 present views on
the Tobacco bill AS matters have turned ont, this
course was wise; for. with the arrival of
Mr. RUSSELL of Massachusetts, who abb
sent when the vote was taken yesterday,
the majority has suddenly vanished 1t was sup
posed that he would vote for the bill; the cons
trary he is opposed to it, and has signed the
views" of the minOrity-which really Is no
longer a minority, being composed of six members,
the same number comprising the majority Had
Mr.. Russell been present yesterday therefore, tho
motion to report the bill favorably woull have
failed by tie vote. Mr.. Hubbell is still absent.
but it Is asserted with apparent confidence by the
opponents of the measure that he is on their side.
The minority views" prepared by Mr.. Kasson
and signed by himself and Messrs Dunnc McKin-
lev, Haskell Morrison and RUSSELL were submitted
to the House this afternoon. accompanied byseveral
written statements showing IN greater detail the
grounds of objection held by individual members,
who also signed the general report. That document
il short The opinion is expressed that. 50 !ong as
any income from internal revenue is necessary to-
bacco and spirits best supply it, experience hav-
ing shown that the revenue from those sources is
less liable to fluctuations than from any
other source. The sgners hold that for some
time to come the internal revenue system muso
be main tained and that 1t will be more conducive
TO the general public interest 10 remove the burdens
upon other articles than tobacco and spirits, es-
pecaly IN view OF the fact that the receipts from
customs subject to great fluctuations. The re-
port concludes follows:
Until is ascertaned what portion of the reduction OF
shall be applied to the customs 1t Is clearly un-
wise abolish wholly so regular revenue ana one SO
well established that In question. The undersgnea
are therefore prepared TO accept the entire aoou
ton OF the tax, nor run the risk OF reducing the
revenue OF the Government below the amounts
which will evidently be required TO meet the
srrearages of in addition TO the other currene
expenses Of the Government by any e1taya9ant reduos
tion OF other OF public revenue II 10 much
agreeable duty. and much more feasible 10 reduce
taxe to time the now unknown extent OK
onr liabilities shall developed than reimpose them
10 the imperative obligations OF the Governments