Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-07-20

Inc next resolution, declaring Smalls en-
titled to the seat, was carried. Yeas 141
nays 5-Messrs. FORD and Rice of Missouri,
Hardenbergh OF New Jersey, Jones -;
Texas, and Calkins of Indiana.
Mr.. Calkins, In casting his vote in the
negative, said he did so because he consci-
enttouslY believed that the election should
be relegated to the people, which led Mr..
Randall to regret that there were not more
conscientious men on the Republican side.
The Speaker then stated that in footing up
the former vote-yeas 145, NAYS l, the CLERK
had made a mistake aud that the vote
should have been-yeas IA, nays l. 1t
would, he said, have made no difference be-
cause the Chair now voted In the athrma-
tive, thus making quorum.
Mr.. Randall objected to the Speakers
voting as being against all precedent.
The Speaker-The Chair is informed that
he is only following precedent.
Mr.. Caswell, of Wisconsin, said that the
precedent had been set by the gentleman
from Pennsylvania himself when Speaker,
and quoted from an occurrence In the
FortY-fourth Congress. The circumstances
of that case were as follows: On suspen-
sion Of the rules Monday q bill was passed
by exactly two-thirds vote. On the follow
ing day Mr.. Plaisted, of Maine, stated that
he had voted in the negative, and
Mr.. Fuller, Of Indiana, that he voted
In the affirmative, but neither vote was re-
corded. This left the measure lacking one
vote of the necessary twO-thirds, and the
Speaker Mr.. Randall) thereupOn claimed
and exercised his constitutional right to
vote on any question before the House, and
voted in the affirmative. The journal of
proceedings having been read, Mr.. Randall
declared that 1t was not similar case with
the present, and that at the time no objec-
JiOn was made, whereas now there was
objection.
Mr. Blackburn said that for the sake OF
making precedent he would like the Chair
to rule whether the elevation Of member
to the Speakers chair vested him with any
right, which no other member possessed,
that of casting his vote after the roll call
had been completed and the final result an
nounced.
The Speaker replied that the Speaker did
not come within the rule applying to mem
bers, inssmuch as his name did not appear
on the roll call. There was good feeling
exhibited on the Democratic side over the
ruling.
Mr.. Blackburn. in an aside to Mr.. Robin
son, asserted 1t to be an intentional error on
the part of the Clerk, and Mr.. Calkins, in
view of this assertion, offered a resolution
directing an investigation to be made into
the matter.
Mr.. Blackburn having, however, left the
chamber, the resolution was postponed until
tomorrow.
smalls, escorted by Mr.. Wait, Of Con
necticut, then appeared at the bar Of the
House and took the oath OF Office.
The Alabama case of Smith vs.. Shelley
was then taken up-yeas 145, nays l, and
Mr.. Rsnney, of Massachusetts, having taken
the floor, the House at $50 adjourned.
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.
The Senate again took up the revenue tax
| bill, and resumed the discussion of Mr.
| Beck's amendment reducing to twelve cents
the tax on tobacco.
Mr.. Bayard spoke in favor Of the amend.
ment.
Mr.. Malone opposed the amendment
as calculated to benefit largely the
retail dealer to the prejudice
of the consumer and the producer. He
thought the difference between the old and
new would be so slight that the dealer
would take advantage Of the reduction and
continue to charge the same rate. He pre-
| ferred to have the tax fixed at s cents per
pound, as this would secure a substantial
reduction, the benefit of which would
enure to the consumer and producer alike.
He gave notice that when the third sec
tion of the bill was reached he would move
| to reduce the tax to eight cents. In re
| gard to the rebate clause, he strenuously
advocated its restoration, and asserted that
| this was due to the manufacturers and
dealers as matter Of common honesty. The
tobacco interests of the country were
unanimous in advocacy of the rebate.
| In confirmation of his assertion he quoted
the statements of leading manufacturers,
| and read letter from p. Lorillard 6 Co. !,
who, he said, manufactured 100000
pounds, and paid the government revenue
OF from $4,000 to 81, 100000 per annu
1oNe ,,o1 h. A,II
in support of the rebate clause: It would
be an act of justice to those who
had paid the tax on cost price, as the reduc-
tion in rates depreciates the value of stock
on hand by that much. 1t would not be
necessary to provide that a long
period shall intervene to enable the
manufacturers aud dealers to provide
for the lower rate of tax, while the regu-
lar operations OF employers and opera
tives will not be disturbed The firm sue-
gesJed a reduction to cents in preference
to ten cents, as this would leave the tax at
exactly half cent per ounce, thereby avoid
ing fractions In the calculation of ounces,
and saving trouble in many ways. But in
the event Of a reduction, or total abolition,
authority should be given to repay to the
dealers, who have large stocks on hand, the
tax paid on all unbroken packages,
as otherwise many dealers would be seri-
ously crippled and others driven into
bankruptcy. Ga the other hand, the fixing
of day in the future at which the reduc-
tion shall take effect will virtually throw
out Of employment thousands of dependent
operatives, snd materially reduce the price
of leaf tobacco, as the manufacturers
cannot buy when they cannot work, and
only parties benefited will be the buyers for
foreign goods and foreign dealers.
From another authority in Cincinnati the
speaker quoted, that If the tax be reduced
one-half to eight cents, the consumers will
obtain at once the full benefit of the reduc-
tion, which will be exactly half a cent per
ounce. A reduction of six cents would in
many II not most cases chiefly benefit the
retailer and but little the consumers There
was an advantage in having a new rate de-
Vised for the old.
Mr.. Johnston, of Virginia, expressed
himself in favorof the abolition OF to-
bacco taxes and the entire internal reve-
nue. system. The people whom he repre-
sented regarded that system as feature of
despotic government, and despised the in
former and restraints imposed upon them.
Finally, vote was taken On Mr.. Beck's
amendment, fixing the tobacco tax on and
after January /, 1888, at twelve cents per
pound, and 1t was agreed to-yeas 90, NAYS
26.
The Senate passed the joint resolution
continuing the appropriations for the las
fiscal year to July 31st, and adjourned. with
a motion pending, offered by Mr.. Voorhees,,
to strike from the revenue bill the proposed
reduction of taxes on bank capital, deposits
and checks.
NOMINATIONS.
The President sent the following nomina-
tious to the Senate to-day: William Hale,
of Iowa, to be Governor of the Territory of
Wyoming; J. Schuyler Crosby, of New
York, to be Governor of the Territory of
Montana; Wilson w. Hoover, of California,
to be Associate Justice of the Supreme
Court of the Territory of Arizona. And to
be Postmasters, David A. Windsor, at
Alexandra, Va, and Charles E Deaver, at
Lexington Va,
THE LEvEE BILL.
The House Committee on Pacific Railroads
to-day decided to postpone, until December
next, further consideration of the bill to aid
in improving the navigation of the Missis-
sippi river by constructing levee from
Memphis to the Yszoo river in Mississippi.
and to authorize the Memphis and New
Orleans Railroad Company to build its road
upon the levee.
THE STAR ROUTE TRIALS.
Argument in the star route cases today
on the admissibiilitY ofWalsh's 8 evidence was
not concluded. 1t is probable that 1t will
be concluded to morrow, and the fate of
the thieves will be probably decided.