Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-02-25
WISE SAVED HIS WIND.
AN ATTEMPT TO ANSWER BRA
DY RULED OUT OF ORDER.


The Half Gallon Tax Bill Under Discus
sion when the Attempt to switch on
the Debate was Made-The Bill FL
nally Passed by the House.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 94.-The House to-
day went into committee OF the whole on
the half gallon tax bill, Mr.. Morrison
stated that the purpose Of the bill was to
compel the payment Of the tax at the
time fixed by law and at the rate fixed
by law on all distilled spirits removed
from distillery warehouses. From 1852
to 1868 the tax had bcou collected in cash
on gallons and fractions of gallons. In 1868
the system Of collecting through stamps
had been adopted, and it having been in
convenient to have stamps for every frac-
tional part OF a gallon, it was provided
that not only gallons but parts of gallons
should pay 30 cents tax. In 1872 it had
been determined not TO tax less than a
half gallon at all, but to tax over half
gallon at the gallon rate.
oUTwTTTING THE GOVERNMENT.
1t had turned out that with view to
escaping taxation all parts OF gallon
were less than half gallon,
and the Commissioner OF Internal Rev.
enue reported that IN the last year this
fraud had grown to such an extent that
packages which contained less than half
a gallon fractions exceed those contain
ing more than half gallon fractions by
500, 900, which would amount to loss OF
$780, 900 to the government.
Mr., Wise, of Virginia, took the floor,
and as it was known that he intended to
reply TO the speech made some time ago
by Mr.. Brady, OF Virginia, the members
crowded around him to listen. He start
ed with a statement that on Feb. l6 a
night session had been ordered Tor the
discussion Of the Fitz-John Porter bill. In
violation of an implied, II not an express
understanding, he Mr.. Brady y
CALLED TO A HALT.
But Mr.. Wise was not permitted TO pro-
ceed further for Mr.. Brady mpetuously
Interrupted him and exclaimed: 'The
! gentleman in making that statement
states what is not true, because had a
direct understanding. / had direct I'M
derstanding not only with Mr.. Springer,
chairman OF the committee Of the whole,
but with Others"
Before Mr.. Wise could MAKE any reply
Mr.. Morrison came forward and declared
Indignantly: ssWe have had quite enough
of irrelevant matter, and protest against
it. | will have no more OF 1t.
Mr.. Wise made another attempt to pro.
ceed but he was again interrupted by Mr..
Brady with an exclamation that he had
been misrepresented here.
Mr.. Wise said that be did not wish tC
initiate or follow the bad example Of those
who had gone before him. He wanted u
declare that he wished 10 occupy the floor
not upon the whisky bill, but ia reply tC
his colleagues speech.
Mr.. Brady-TIat IS what stated with
regard to the Fitz-John Porter bill before
/ made my speech.
DECLARED OUT OF ORDER.
The Chairman-The gentleman having
stated that he did not intend TO discuss
the question now under debate the chair
thinks he is out of order.
MIR. Wise-I rise now TO a question Of
privilege.
The Chairman-The gentleman is out OF
order in committee.
Mr.. Wise-Is it permissible under the
order Of the House made yesterday for me
10 speak Saturday?
The Chairman replied that that was a
question TO be considered by the then
Chairman of the committee.
"Well," said Mr.. Wise, II will take the
opportunity Saturday"
SO the committee came back to the con-
sideratiOn Of the half gallon tax bill,
which after some further discussion was
passed and the House adjourned.