New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-07
THE DIRECT TAX BILL.
BEGINNING THE DEBATE IN THE HOUSE.
THRIFTY BRIeADIERs sCHEMING TO EMPTY THE
TREASURY AND KEEP THE MONEY FROM THE
LOYAL STATES AT THE SAME TIME

LOYAL STATES AT THE SAME TIME
IBr TELEGRAPH TO TEE TRIBUNE,
Washing ton, Dec 6.-Thc Constiulionsaver were
GU in strong force and voice in the House to-day
Oaes, of Alabama, who lost an arm In the auemp.
prove that jefferson Davis right I'm his theory
Of DC Constitution and Abraham lincoln wrong, led
the 'orces. and was noby supported by stewart and
Bares of Georgia Rogers, of Arkansas, and Hooker,
Of Mississippi all OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Of the Confederate
pa.ten Hooker too sacrificed to the Jefferson
Davis theory and Of course, his denunciatons OF this
senp TO fracture the Constitution were couched In
Language which fairly burned with eloquence.
The Imposition before the House was to refund the
money collected on account of the Direct Tax VI
1861 to the States which paid It, and to forgive the
States which have paid It, being otherwise
engaged" at the time tho tax was levied. Mr. Oatess
State, Alabama, owes little balance Of SS06,793,
but he knows that the United States nevor will try
TO collect II, and therefore he doesn't caro- whether
the Indebtedness cancelled and the account closed or
not Arkansas owes S1o7,184, Georgia owes
Sfe6,Ss4 Mississippi owes s299,7oo and SO
on, whi,h the United States never will try to
collect The Southern States owe all together more
than 60 900 Of the total balance Of sc,oo3,4o1
due account of the Direct Tax OF course, those
States void not receive money. only credit for The
amount. On the other hand, the loyal States which
paid the tax would have it refunded in hard cash
There's the rub. That is the danger which threatens
the Constitution But Oates & Company are thrifty
well as patriotic.
"n We cart avert the danger, let Us at least mako
II profitable There's the Cotton Tax, about
SOS 900, and We will offer amendment to
have It rcfunSed. 1t will bring back to the South
more than -four and one-half times much as the
Yankee States will receive under this Infamous law"
says Oates.
al agree" chimes Rogers, Of Arkansas, and the
Georgia patriots I" but we can go one step further
You remember taat the country was confronted with
condition scne half a century ago, and about
Sos 0o0 900 Of Treasury surplus distributed among
the States. Instead therefore, Of returning the Di-
rect Tax to al the States let refund only 10 such
States did not receive the benefit Of the distri-
button OF 1886, then received less than they
paid back in 1861 By doing that shall reduce the
amount to be repaid very materially"
This suggestion loudly applauded and adopted
in the Democratic caucus by an overwhelming ma
iOrty, also the Cotton Tax proposition. Both
offered in the House to-day by Colonel Oates.
who shrewdly tried 10 entrap the Republicans into
giving their consent that the amendments might be
considered pending when the previous question
should be ordered. He failed in that but therp will
be vigorous fight in favor OF both propositions The
first one, as before stated, would open the Treasury
10 tho demands of claimants who represent about
s6s 100000. Tho bulk OF these claims Is in the
hands Of spectators. The other proposition would
reduce the amount Of money to be refunded TO the
loyal States and Territories on account Of the Direct
Tax to about So 432, 423 which would be distributed