Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-03-23
r,rrsrra CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON, March %, 1888.

NeBntc.
A bill was reported from the commit
tee and placed on the calendar to author-
ize the construction OF bridge across
Tennessee river at Chattanooga "a House
bill.
The conference report on the urgent
deficiency bill was presented aud agreed
to.
Mr.. Salisbury addressed the Senate
on the subject OF the Presidents annual
message. The Democratic party, he said,
had always maintained and still held that
tho only proper motive OF taxation was
to provide the necessary revenue for the
wants Of the Government and that every
man was bound to contribute his Just
share. Taxation for any other purpose
was unjust and indefensible. The
Democratic party was in favor of re-
vision and reduction OF the tariff and
would carry it out unless thwsrted in its
purpose 10y combinations Of Democrats
(actuated 10y localinterest) with Republi-
cans who favored high rates. The Re-
publican party, Judging by the state
ments OF its leaders and OF its press,
would oppose any proposition of reduc-
ton, and if it could reduce the surplus
10y large and unnecessary appropriations
it would dose. He thought he stated the
views Of the two parties throughout the
country fairly when he said the Democrats
favored tariff in the intere ST OF the peO-
pie, and that the Republicans favored it
in the interest OF protection. There
might he a few Democrats who were
Protectionists. How anybody could as
sert that the President or tho Democratic
party was in favor OF free trade was be-
yond his comprehension. Such state
ments, however. had been rccklessly
made in the Senate with the full know
ledge on the part Of those who made
them that there was nothing in the his
tory of tho Democratic party, past
or present, that justified them.
The Democratic party was not
in favor of free trade, but was earnestly
in favor OF reducing the tariff of rates
so that no greater taxation would be i'm
posed on the people than was necessary
to meet the just demands of the Govern
ment. He declared himself opposed to
the repeal of the internal-revenue sys-
TEN. He was in favor OF retaining the
taxes on vhiskey, beer, and tobacco in
order to relieve from taxation every
thing essential to the comfort and happi-
ness of the masses of people; but he
would vote for any measure that would
obviate the Objectionable methods of
collecting those taxes
At the close of Mr.. Saulsbury's re-
marks Mr.. Riddleberger offered a resO-
luton that the rules providing for ex-
ecutive sessions be suspended during
the consideration of the fisheries treaty,
and asked unanimous consent for Its inn
mediate consideration.
Mr.. Cockrcll objected, and the resolu-
ton lies over.
The Senate then proceeded to the con-
sideration of bills on the calendar IN
their regular order to which no objec-
ton was made, and passed number,
principally OF local or private charac-
ter. Among the bills so passed are the
following: TO provide for a commission
on the subject of alcoholic liquor traffic.
THE commission is to he non-parti-
san," It's members shall he chosen
with regard to personal fitness,
capacity, and impartiality, and shall
not be composed wholly of persons
favoripg prohibitory legislation or total
abstinence. 1t sppropriates $40, 900 to
carry into effect its purpose House
bill authorizing the President to arrange
a conference between the United States
of America and the republics of Mexico,
Central and South America, Hayti, San
Domingo, and the empire of Brazil-the
conferences to consider subjects of inter-
national arbitration, improvement OF
business intercourse, and reciprocal
commercial relations. 1t appropriates
800. 600 to be disbursed under the di-
rection OF the Secretary of State for ex-
penses incidental to the conference.
The Senate had amended the bill in
several particulars and a committee Of
conference was ordered.
Altogether there were thirty-one bills
taken from the calendar and passed.
Mr.. Sawyer. FRONT he POst-Ofiice Com
mittee, reported the bill reducing the
postage on seeds, cuttings, bulbs, roots,
&C., to l cent per four ounces Passed.
Executive session.
Adjourned.
House OF Representatives.
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