Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-02-12
AT THE NATIONS CAPITAL
FOLGER ASKS A REVISION OF
THE TARIFF ACT OF 1888.

Blind Passages Which are EntaiIing
VexatiOus Litigation = Congressman
H1seOck Opposes the Bill Granting
Aid to the Flood Sufferers, but it Passes
Both HOuses-RepOrts on Bounty
Equalization.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.-THE Secretary
Of the Treasury has written a long letter
to Mr.. Morrison, Chairman of the WAYS
and Means Committee, with respect to the
practical operations of the tariff act OF
March 3, 1888, and pointing out many diff
ficulties of the administration connected
Herewith. He suggests that it would be
well for Congress to declare the order in
which the various parts Of section 2449
shall be applied, and correct the meaning
OF section of the act. The Secretary re-
ters at length to the various provisions of
law as found in the numbered paragraphs
OF the tariff, and shows how extremely
difficult it is to administer them
without involving litigation, as
to the meaning thereof. Many para
graphs are conflicting and confusing, and
in some there appears to be two rates of
duty for the same goods. The Secretary
recommends that several of the para
graphs be stricken out entirely, but
above all things suggests that each sec
tiOn be made perfectly clear, and that
Congress state in the most precise terms
the proper construction to be given the
doubtful provisions. The department has
ruled upon many cases cited, but the de-
cisions are being disputed by importers.
and various complications are arising
hence the anxiety of the Secretary that
the law shall be made entirely positive
and distinct in its meaning.
EQUALIZATION OF BoUNTIEs.
The Secretary of War sent to the Senate
to-day, in reply to the resolution offered
by Mr.. Voorhees, calling for information as
to the number of soldiers who served one,
two and three years respectively In the
Union army in the late war. the amount
of bounty paid to each class and the ap-
proXimate amount which would be re-
quired to equaliZe the bOunties of those
who served in that war, a communication
from the Acknowledgement. giving the in
formation asked for as to the number of
soldiers and copies Of letters addressed to
Congress in former years by the Paymas-
ter-General OF the army, setting forth esti-
mates of the amount which would be re-
quired for the equalization ofbounties. The
Adjutant Generals report gives the num-
Der of enlisted men who enlisted for the
various periods, as follows: For three
years, 2,03O,S04 for two years, A, 400: for
one year, 39l, 1872; for nine months, 81. .5SS:
for eight months, 313; for six months.
%, 439; for four months, 42; for one hun
dred days, S5,507; for three months, 10S.-
4l6; for sixty days, 2,045. With respect
to the information asked for in regard to
the bOunties paid or the sum necessary to
equalize the bOunties of those who served.
the Adjutant General says that it cannot
be compiled from the records in his office.
He calls attention, however. to enclosed
estimates submitted to Congress by the
Paymasler General of the army in 1S72-74-
I6-IS and 80. In the estimate submitted
on April p, 1876, the Paymaster General
states that up to that date there had been
paid in bOunties to enlisted men 1885 917 =
6S2, and the Adjutant General states that
since then there has been paid in bOunties
", 292 ,56I, making the total of the bOun-
ties paid to date of his communication
Y3SS.2lO,249. The first estimate of the
amount required for equalization of boun-
ties was made by the Paymaster General.
of which copy is submitted in this com
municatiOn, and is dated January IL.
1877. 1t is based on the provisions of
bill then pending in Congress
to give to each enlisted man. or if dead. to
his heirs, a bounty at the rate of IS 33I%
per month for his term Of service. The
Paymaster General estimates the cost at
Sl3I,215, lO6. In March, 1872, the Paw
master General estimated the amount
necessary to pay bounties at the rate of
Sl00 each to the men who enlisted between
May 3, 1861, and July -, 1861. and who
were honorably discharged without
bounty after service of less than two wears
at 81, 10000. In April, 1874, he estimated
the cost Of equalizing all bounties at the
rate of s. 331S per month for the term of
service to the date of the muster out of Or
CARNATIONS at $l61 .543, ,634. In March.
1876, and in April of the same year he
replied to the resolutions of Congress
asking for estimates of the amount neces-
S&rY to equaliZe the bounties of all SOL
diers who served between April II, 1861.
and May 8, 1860, at the rate of $S 33l% per
month Tor their terms Of service, less any
and all bountieS already paid them under
the provisions of any United States or
State law. At this time he says the lowest
estimate yet made for decentralization boun
ties is that made by the Second Comp
trOller in February, 1874, calling for SOL
941, ,S25, and from this the amount of the
States would have to be deducted.
If they could be ascertained.
COnjecturing that that item would reduce
the sum about one-quarter, he finds that
at least $4,000, 900 would then be neces-
sary. On February 10, 1880, he sent
another communication to Congress in re-
spOnse to resolution asking for an esti-
mate OF the money required to carry out
the provisions of the bill thea pending to
give to each enlisted man who served
between April II, 1861, and Nav 9 1865,
and was hOn0rably discharged, or his
heirs, S. 1919 per month for his term of
service, the same estimate of $101, ,947, ,S25
II no provision were made for deducting
the bOunties paid by States, and if
there were such provision $75, 600, 900.
THE ELECTIONS INvEsTIG ATIoNs.
The Senate subcommittee, composed of
Senators HOar, Cameron of Wisconsin,
Frye, salisbury and Jonas, with Deputy
Sergeant-at-ArmsR Reede and their clerks
and messenger, will leave Washington to-
morrow morning at II o'clock on the fast
mail train via the Atlantic Coast Line for
New Orleans, en- route to Jackson Miss.
They will then proceed to Copiah county.
and after looking over the ground there,
Will probably return to New Orleans as
their headquarters for the examination of
witnesses. The members of the sub-cOm-
mittee wish to complete their work and
return to Washington before the 1st of
March. The subcommittee charged with
the investigation of the Danville trouble
viii begin their work at Washington next
Wednesday. They viii probably visit
Danyille before their labOrs are con-
cluded.
THE SILVER DOLLAR QUESTION.
The House Committee on Coinage,
Weights and Measures to-day agreed to
report bill for the exchange of the trade
dollar for standard dollars, or for their re-
ceipt for government dues within two
years. 1t provides for their recOinage into
standard dollars, and that bullion shall
be counted against monthly purchases of
bullion at bullion rates. The action of
the committee was not unanimous, and
the bill, as it now stands, will be opposed
by Mr.. Bland, Chairman of the commit
tee. He proposes offering an amendment
to strike out that portion of the bill which
provides that coins shall be counted as
bullion against monthly purchases.
IN SENATE AND HOUSE.
Detailed Report of the Proceedings in
Both bodies