The Portland daily press., 1888-03-20
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
Jay could's Company Must Pay Its
Taxes In Massachusetts.
Mike Burns Gets Some Attention
from Persons In High Places.
Congressman Reeds Problem In
Ways and Means Arithmetic.

WASHINGTON, March 19.-The United
States Supreme Court gave decision today
In the case Of the Western Union Telegraph
Company against the Attorney General Of
Massachusetts, in suit to enforce the col
lection Of the tax levied by the authorities
OF the State upon the telegraph company and
and for the purpose Of enjolning the eompa-
ny from further operation Of its telegraph
lines within the limits of the State until the
tax be paid. The telegraph company re-
fuses to pay the tax upon the ground that
out Of its 1888 miles OF line within Massa-
chusetts. more than 1884 miles were over,
under or across post roads, made such by the
United States, leaving only 49S miles not
over or along such post roads, on which the
company offers to pay tax. The court holds
that the permission Of the government re-
specting post roads, does not exempt the
company from bearing its just share Of the
burdens OF taxation.
Little Progress.
Little progress was made today by the
ways and means committee in consideration
Of the tariff bill. The most important ac-
tion taken was the striking out Of cement
from the free list and the imposition Of ten
per cent ad valorem duty upon it. The commit
tee have rejected Congressman Reeds mo-
ton to increase the duty on lime 10 the Cana
dian rate. The motion was defeated bya
party vote. The committee then voted to
leave the duty as now.
day night were lively and by no means har-
monious. The Republicans insisted that the
House had e0nhded to the committee on
ways and means, OF which they were mem
bers, the task Of obtaining facts and inform
alton, and framing revenue bill; that the
majority, contrary to every example and
every custom and precedent, had point-blank
refused hearings to those who were familiar
with the business interests involved. and
had refused to hear read the written argu-
ments and petitions Of persons interested.
This" says Mr.. Breckenridge, Of Arkansas,
who seems to have taken the matter Of
leadership out Of the hands Of Mr.. Mills, sis
party question, and there can be no need Of
information or discussion. 1t Is mere waste
of time"
Late in the evening Baron" Scott, who
had been busy with paper and pencil, an
nOunced that at the rate Of progress already
achieved It would take the committee about
700 days to finish the bill. One element Of
this calculation was that Nothing has been
DONE"
well, then, your calculation Is all
two hours doing nothing. how long viii 1t
take us to do s0methiEgp
Burns's Case In Washington
Mike Burns, the imported liquors seller.
who recent returned to Bath, induced Col
lector Torrey to write the Secretary Of the
Treasurer, inquiring whether one who I'M
ports liquors cannot sell such liquors In the
original packages without liability TO the
penalty OF the Maine law prohibiting the
sale of liquors. Assistant Secretary Mayard
has replied that government officials have
nothing to do with this question. He says
when an importer pays the duty on import
ed liquors, they pass Into his hands, and the
government and government officials have
nothing more to do with them.