The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-03-07
INTERNAL TAXES KNIFED
TOBACCO TO PAY S2o.ooo,ooo LESS
THAN NOW.

CSo worry WFdJny.
WASHINGTON, March 6.-The Democratic
majority of the W ays and Means Committee
to-day submitted to the full committee the
internal revenue bill The total reduction
in revenue made by the bill is about
S25, 100000, made up of $40, ,0O0, 900 on to-
bacco and S5,0O0,O00 on various special
taxes removed. The presentation of the
bill was the signal for a vigorous onslaught
by the Republican members upon their
Democratic colleagues. They roundly de-
nouncod the majority for their conduct in
the preparation of this and the tariff bill,
and their indignation was heightened when
the proposition was put and carried despite
their objection, to consolidate in one meas
ure the tariff and revenue bills.
Mr.. Reed demanded to know upon what
precedent or by what authority the Demo-
cratic members of the committee had de-
parted from the usual plan of nsdering
the Presidents message by sections in full
committee and adopted the scheme of pre-
pairing bill alleged to be based upon it's
recommendations without affording the
minority an opportunity to discuss in detail
proposed changes that might involve enor-
NOUS loss and irretrievable damage to the
country.
KELLEY ALSO KICKS.
Mr.. Kelley joined with Mr.. Reed in vig-
orous protest against the methods adopted
by the ma iCrity.
Finally, Mr.. Breckenridge, of Kentucky,
offered a resolution declaring that the com
mittee had acted fully within its powers in
the preparation and consideration of the
bills upon the recommendations contained
in the Presidents message, and the sugges-
tions carried by the various measures in
troduced in the House and referred to the
committee.
This resolution was adopted by strict
party vote, all Of the members being pres
ent and voting, except Mr.. Scott, Of Penn
sylania.
1t was then suggested by the Republicans,
In view OF the apparent determination of
the majority to begin Immediately formal
consideration of the bill, that manufactu-
rers and producers whose interests might be
affected by the bill should be afforded an
opportunity to address the committee upon
the subject.
NOT RECEIVED WITH FAVOR.
This proposition did not seem TO meet with
favor at the hands of the majority, aud
some of the Democratic members took the
ground that any needful information might
be supplied to the committee by means OF
printed briefs or arguments.
Mr.. Reed, however, characterized such a
proceeding as humbuggery, and declared
that no information of value could be i'm
parted by printed screeds, as had
been abundantly shown in the past.
He appealed to the committee to allow
proper consideration of the bill and not to
cut off information easily obtainable which
would enable the members to act INTEL
ligently and without destroying vast in
terests. Otherwise the minority would be
obliged to go through the details of the bill
on their own account, and with very in
adequate means of acquiring knowledge OF
the probable effect of the proposed changes
in the tariff laws.
LONG SESSION.
The session of the committee lasted about
an hour and three-quarters, and finally with
out formally disposiug of the question Of
hearing, the committee adjourned until to-
morrow morning, when it is the understand
ing that consideration of the bill by sec
tions will begin.
Through an error made in the compilation
Of the bill as sent to-day,
both sections IL and IA appear.
to offer independent substitutes for
section 1855 of the Revised Statutes. AS
matter of fact it was the committees inten-
ton to consolidate the two substitutes in
one section.
TEXT OF THE BILL.
The following is the text of the bill:
SECTION I. That on and after the first day Of
July, 1888, all taxes on manufactured chewing
tobacco, smoking tobacco and snuff all special
taxes upon manufacturers of and dealers in said
articles, and all taxes upon Wholesale and retail
dealers in lear tobacco lie and are hereby re-
pealed; provided that there shall be allowed a
drawback rebate of the full amount of the
tax on all original and unbroken factory pack
ages OF smoking and manufactured tobacco and
snuff held by manufacturers or dealers on said
first day of july If the claim therefor shall be
presented 10 the Commissioner Of Internal Reve-
nue. prior TO the first day of September. 1888,
and not otherwise.
No claim shall be allowed and no drawback
shall be paid for an amount less than s..
II shall be the duty of the Commissioner OF
Internal Revenue with the approval of the Sec
retary Of the Treasury. to adopt such rules and
regulations and to prescribe and furnish such
blanks and forms as may be necessary TO carry
this section into effect
SEC. 9. That on and after the first day of July,
1888, manufacturers of cigars shall each pay a
special tax Of 80 annually, and dealers In to-
baccos shall each pay special tax of 81 an
nually. Every person whose business il is to
sell or offer for sale cigars, cheroOts or cigar
cites, shall on and after the first Of May, 1883,
be regarded as a dealer in tobacco, and the pay
ment Of any other special tax shall not relieve
any person who sells cigars. cheroots or cigar
cites from payment Of this tax, provided that
no manufacturer of cigars, cheroots or cigar
cites shall be required TO pay a special tax as
dealer In tobacco as above defined for selling
his own products at the place of manufacture.
SEC g. That the sum OF $4,000, or so much
thereof as may be necessary, be and the same
is hereby appropriated out Of any money In the
Treasury not otherwise appropriated for tha
alteration of dies, plates and stamps for furnish,
ing blanks and FORMS and for such other ex.
penses as shall be incident TO the collection OF
the special taxes at the reduced rates provided
In this act.
SEC T. That section 1851 Of the Revised Stat
utes Of the United States, and all laws and parts
of laws which impose restrictions upon the sale
of leaf tobacco, be and are hereby repealed.
SEc 5. That whenever in any statute denounc
ing any violation Of the internal revenue laws
as felony, crime or mlsdemanor there is pre-
scribed in such statute "A minimum penalty, less
than which minimum no fine, penalty mpris
onment or punishment is authorized TO be i'm
posed, every such minimum punishment is
hereby abolished and the court or Judge in such
cases shall have discretion TO impose any fine,
penalty Imprisonment or punishment not ex,
ceeding the limit authorized by such statute,
whether such ine penalty imprisonment or
punishment be less or greater than said mimi
nium so prescr. bed.
SIC q. That no warrant In any case under the
internal revenue laws shall be issued upon AMI
dawn making charges on information aud belief
unless such affidavit is made by a collector or
deputy of Internal revenue. or by revenue
agent and with the exception aforesaid no war
rant shall be issued except upon sworn COM
plant setting forth the facts constituting the Of
tense and alleging them TO be within the per-
sonal knowledge of the affiant, and the United
States shall not be liable To pay any fees TO MAG
shals, clerks, commissioners OF other officers for
any warrant issued or arrest made In prose-
cutions under tho internal revenue laws unless
. ffs.ss Aua