The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-08-12
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
The Weeks DOingS at the Ma
tiOnal Capital
TIE RrTrEH ELL LAW.

The enemies of eleomargarine express great
satisfaction with the action of the President
in approving the bill for the taxation Of that
article aud the sentiments, conveyed in his
message which accompanied the bill on its re-
turn TO Congress. The Presidents views on
the subject as expressed in his message appear
TO be in close harmony with those repeatedly
expressed in debate by friends Of the bill in
both Houses. He comedies in the opinion that
it is, strictly speaking, revenue measure, and
while he does not recognize the necessity for
the increase OF revenue, he INDUCES the hope
that the operation of this bill may justify a
corresponding reduction of internal taxation in
some other direction, and thus, at least, impose
no added burden upon the people. The Presi-
dent is cleasly of opinion that the bill is not q
sumptuary measure. He thinks while ii is in
no sense legitimate or proper for legislation to
prescribe what people may or may not cat,
il is clearly within the province of Congress to
protect them from imposition. He thinks it
eminently Just and fair that oleomargarine
and all kindred articles should stand on their
own merits and be sold for what they are and
not for what they pretend 10 be. He thinks
the small tax not oppressive, leaving the mar
ket still open at remunerative prices.
The President, however, mentions some SEQ
tons in which he thinks the provisions of the
bill may be made more clear. "The article pro-
posed to be taxed and the circumstances which
defined in the statute. It seems to me that
this object has not been completely attained in
the phraseOlogy of the second section of the
bill. and that question may well arise as TO the
precise condition the article to BIO taxed must
assume in order to be regarded as made in
imitation or semblance of butter or when so
made, calculated or intended TO be sold as butter
or for butter The 18th and 18th sections of
the bill. in my opinion, are in danger of being
tNnl ,farf NIa l.,a
powers of the States. Not being entirely salts
fled of the constitutionality of these provis-
ions, and regarding them rs not being so con-
nected and interviewer with the other sections
as if found invalid 10 vitiate the entire meas
ure, i have determined to commend them to
the attention of the House with a view to an
immediate amendment of the bill, If il should
be deemed necessary, and if it is practicable st
this late day in the session of Congress.
The fact, too that the bill does not take
effect by its terms until 90 days have elapsed
after its approval, thus !eavingit but one month
in operation before the next session of Con-
grcSs, when, If time does not now permit, the
safety and efficiency OF the measure may be
abundantly protected By remedial legislative
action, and the desire TO see realized the bene-
fetal results which it is expected will imme-
diately follow the Inauguration Of this legisls-
ton, have had their influence in determining
my official action"
GOLD AND SILVER.
DR.. James T. Kimball, the Director of the
Mint, has submitted his report on the produc-
ton of gold aud silver in the United States
during the calendar year 1885. The production
OF gold is estimated at S3l 500 900, an increase
of 81, O0OOU0 over the estimate for the calendar
year 1884. The production of silver for the
calendar year 1855, calculated at the coming
rate in silver dollars is estimated at SOL 800 000
against SiS,S00,OO0 in lSS4, an increase of ST.
$4,000
The distribution of the production among the
States and Territories was as follows: