The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-15

Special Dispatch to The Appeal.
WASHINGTON, Dec. IA question
which is interesting members Of Congress
Just now is whether Mr.. Cleveland will
veto the Direct Tax bill which has just
passed the House, and in that event
whether 1t can pass over his veto. This
bill passed the Senate last January after
full discussion, by vote of As to 10. There
was little opposition to the measure, only
five Democratic Senators voting against it.
II has, however, TO 90 back to that body
for concurrence in certain amendments
adopted by the House. That it will DO
passed there is little doubt, and the only
question is as to the fate 1t will meet at
the hands OF the President. Col. Oates,
Of Alabama, who led the opposition to the
bill, which resulted in the memorable
deadlock Of last April, when every
expedient OF obstructive tactics was
resorted 10 In order to prevent its
consideration, and who also led tho
fight against the measure inch by inch
during the three days consideration
which was given 1t this week. SAYS he has
no doubt that the President will veto the
bill.
During the deadlock OF last spring COL
Oates received an intimation that the Pres-
dent desired TO see him. lie went to tho
White House, and Mr.. Cleveland engaged
him in conversation upon the direct tax
bill and the dead lock. saying that he had
read Mr.. Oatess speech and thought that
he was constitutionally right on the
grounds he had taken. When the subject
came up again at this session, the Presi-
dent once more sent for Col. Oates, and
telling him that he bad mislaid his speech
OF last session asked him 10 send him
copy OF it together with the reports, avail
able data, etc, bearing upon the bill.
From the conversation which he has had
with him, Col. Oates is confident that The
President will veto the measure when it
reaches him on constitutional grounds.
His message on the subject is looked for
ward TO with interest, and is expected TO
take high rank among the strong state
papers Of which President Cleveland has
been the author.
The other question, rs to whether the
bill can be passed over the Presidents
veto, should he take that action upon il,
has also been figured upon 10 some extent.
The vote in the House "Wednesday showed
that although the friendsof the bill greatly
outnumbered its opponents. they were
fourteen votes short OF having n two-thirds
majority. In addition TO this, there were
on that day absent, either through bust
ness or sickness, at least ten Democrats
who would have voted against the bill had
they been able 10 be present. Thus il
would appear that there will be no
difficulty in sus aiming the President il no
should deem 1t TO the best interests OF tho
country 10 send the bill back TO CongTvss-
with his veto. Not only in the amount
OF money. but in the principles involved,
this bill is one OF the most important that
has come before the fiitieth Congress. II
proposes TO refund TO the States what they
| paid to the Federal Government on ac-
count OF the direct tax laid by Con.
gesss in August, 1861, and also TO
forgive the debt still due TO tho
Federal Government by those States
which mover paid their full share Of
that tax. About Sl6.0OO, 900 would 20
back To the States and Territories In
| various sums, ranging from New York,
! S2.gl3,OO0 and Pennsylvania Sl.654, 900
| down 10 Nevada, S4,J02 and Dakota,
! S3,2il. OF the balances due and still car
ried on the Treasury books which the bill
wipes out Of existence the largest are
Alabama, Sj06, 7g5; Georgia, Sll1,0S2, and
Tennessee, S277, i0d. The SUN 10 be paid
back 10 Arkansas is Sl5l, 70l, TO Missis-
sippi, Sll3,32I, 20 Tennessee $50, 004, and
| 10 louisiana 1856, $50.