The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1888-05-17

/. The Mills riff Sill, DOW being
considered by the House, is reve-
nue. measure relating both to the sub
iects of the tariff and of internal tax
alton. The annual tariff reductions
proposed in that pill amount to $685.
720,447.22. The proposed internal
revenue reductions are estimated at
s24,445,6 ,607. The total reductions
proposed being $78,176,05422.
2. The Mills bill proposes to repeal
to s19,e4o, ,712
Special taxes on retail Ii
quor dealers, 1857 ,26S
Special taxes on retail
dealers in malt liquors, 177,1 48
Special taxes on manufac-
turers of stills &c, 1921
terest, 46,75s
Total, s24,455, ,6O7
The bill does not propose to repeal
the taxes ON cigars and cigaretts, nor
the special taxes imposed on manufac-
turers of cigars and on dealers in to-
bacco. The revenue derived from
these sources last year amounted to
$12,726,9O6. If the Mills bill shall
become law, the gallon tax on spir-
its, including both whiskey and bran
dy, will continue to be collected.
3. The bill also provides for the re-
peal of all restrictions on the sale of to-
bacco. by the producer, and many OF the
most oppressive and vexatious provi-
sions of the internal revenue system. II
the bill becomes law, the relief to
the people Of our State will be almost
incalculable.
4 It Is impossible for any one to
predict certainly what will be the
fate of the tariff bill. The friends of
the measure are hopeful of its pas.
sage. The Democratic majority in
the House does not exceed twelve. If
the Republicans vote solidly against
the bill and seven Democrats vote
with them, the bill cannot pass. II
is very probable that the bill will be
amended in the committee of the
whole, in number of particulars
In its present shape, it is supposed
that a number of Democrats would
vote against it, including two or three
from Pennsylvania, one or two from
New Jersey, two or three from New
York and two or three from Ohio. Il
is believed that two Republicans trom
Minnesota, one from Wisconsin anc
one from New York will support the
bill. The margin either way is there
fore very narrow.
5. The Republicans have formula
ted no tariff bill of their own. A.
yet they have been unable to agre'
among themselves. Since I have beer
in Congress no Republican has beer
willing to work for the repeal or mod
ification of the internal revenue laws
On the third of March 1887, callet
up bill which l had introduced pro
viding for substantial modification
of the whole internal revenue system
The vote stood as follows: Yeas, 139
nays, 112. So two thirds not havin,
voted in favor thereof, the rules wer
not suspended and the bill was no
passed. Only eight Republicans vote'
for the proposition, while only fu
Democrats voted against it. A simila
bill was reported by me from the Ju
dietary Committee of the House o.
the 9TH of February, 1888, and passe'
the House without division. Th
bill was sent to the Senate immediate
| ly and on the 9th of February was re
ferred by that body to the Committe
on the Judiciary. That committee ha
not yet acted upon the bill. / do nc
think Republican Senate will
likely to vote for the passage of an
bill this session upon the subject {
the tariff or internal revenue whic
will reduce taxation to any materis
extent or relieve the people from tn
expressions under which they hav
been suffering and groaning for g
many years. At the same time, hav
not lost hope. think the tobacco tar
at least to the extent of the reduction
proposed in the Mills bill, will
abolished, even if that measure shoul
be defeated. / do not believe ths
the House will refuse to consider
measure of that sort, the propriety an
justice Of which has been endorsed b
all parties and factories, even thoug
every proposition for tariff revisic
should fail.
My public duties are 80 excitin
that hope you will be contented wit
this hurried note. Yours Truly,
I0T4N G HENnrpcoN