The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1888-03-02
THE NATIONS CAPITAL.
LIEUT.. GOV. STEDMAN'S VISIT
WILL DO GOOD.
Maj. Stedman Urged the Repeal of the
Internal Revenue LaWs--VariH I.egis-
Iation--The National Convention. &c.


city from New York last Wednesday and
remained over until Friday morning in
order to see the Committee on Ways and
Means, and urge upon the committee the
Importance of the Internal Revenue bulls
now on the House calendar and in that
Committee Room. Mai. Stedman had been
requested by numbers OF our people to do
this, and he has done it most effectively.
He is 4 gentleman of fine presence, an ac
complished lawyer aud a forcib.e, persua-
sive speaker He told Mr.. Mills that the
Democrats of North Carolina We're not
only opposed to the method of collecting
the tax but were utterly opposed to the
tax itself He said they expected and
had a right to expect from the pledges
that had been made them that this Con-
gress would at least repeal the tobacco
and fruit brandy taxes, and change the
method of collecting Internal Revenue
taxes, substituting, for instance, Salaries
for fees to Deputy Marshals and United
States COMMISSIONERS Mr.. Mills said that
SO far as his influence went, both as chair
man Of the committee and as Democratic
representative, all should be done for
North Carolina that could be done, in re-
gard to internal revenue legislation. After
the interview, Maj. Stedman said he felt
warranted in stating to the readers of the
CHRONICLE, that he thought there would
be q substantial modification of these laws
The entire North Carolina delegation III
Congress. the especial committee sent here
by Mr. Battle, Chairman of the Democratic
State Committee, and GOV. Stedman have
done all that men could do, to make the
WAYS and Means Committee see the vital
Importance Of speedy and definite action
in regard to the needed internal revenue
legislation. The people of North Carolina
know this, and if something is not done,
they will hold the Democratic majority IN
Congress responsible for it.
There is talk now of separating the
tariff bill proper, from the internal reve-
nue. bills | cannot believe the.e are
enough impolitic men on the Ways and
Means Committee to do this. The Inter
nal Revenue feature Of the bill Is one of
the strongest cards 70 play. Many Re
publican vote can be secured by this In
ternal Revenue feature, in case Randall
sees fit TO kick. At present, Mr. Randall
does not talk as if there would be any
general tariff bill passed. Perhaps he
wont be allowed TO have his way, but he
is a mighty tough man to balk. He has
been in favor of the Internal Revenue re-
duction all along, and it strikes me 1t
would be good plan TO fix the tariff bill
50 that if he refuses to vote for it, he Will
also reject the Internal Revenue bills.
The matter Will be settled by next week,
for tremendous pressure Is to be brought
on the Ways and Means Committee by the
Democratic members Of Congress TO make
them move in this important matter. 1t
was promised that the committee would
have the bill ready By Feb. 18th. 50 far,
this promise has not mattrialized. Mr..
Mills is no leader | have said all along
that he was not the man to have been
.lai 1F ann too ETIt
now that it is IN FAtT ACCoMPLI it is the
plain duty Of such Congressman as Henry
Turner. John Henderson, John Carlisle,
W. G. z. Breckenridge and others, TO force
matters to an issue. | have heard II stat
ed, that if a moderate tariff bill AT least is
nit passed Cleveland will decline the re
nomination. | don't believe this. He
wants second term, deserves and will get
it, but it would look badly, to put it mild
" for his party to 90 back on his recent
message and for the Democrats to repudi-
ate the only issue on which the campaign
can be fought, Something will have to be
done at an early date. The National
Convention meets June 9TH. \ tariff BILL
with the important Internal Revenue feat
ureS attached to it so closely that 40
political LEGER DE MAIN could separate
them, ought to be introduced next week
so as to give time for tilibusterers and gas
bags to show their hands or play their
game and subside Congress cannot af-
ford to waste any more time, and If action
is not taken soon, the Democratic party
will have some awkward excuses to make
between this date and November, 1888.
The Statesville Public Buildings bill has
been favorably reported. The New Berne
bill will also be favorably reported in a
few days.
Col. Cowles's bill of enquiry about fees
of district attorneys, &c, has been favor
ably reported from his committee and
adopted by the House.
Hon. Louis G. Latham has introduced a
bill for the relief of the heirs of Col. John
Baptista Ashe. His services date back to
the beginning of the Revolution and Maj.
Latham's bill refers to action taken by the
Continental Congress
Senator Ransom has reported a bill to
establish a United States Land Court, and
to provide for the settlement of private
claims in certain States and territories.
Hon. F. NJ Simmons has introduced an
educational bill which allows the States to
use the surplus as loan without interest
and returnabe after a certain length of
time.
Hon. John 5. Henderson presented a
resolution from Rowan County Medical
Society urging Congress to abolish import
duties on all medicines and medical and
surgical appliances.
Hon. hos d. Johnston has presented
a number of bills and petitions. He is an
earnest, able and persistent advocate Of
| the repeal Of the Internal Revenue system
and is very impatient of the unwarrant-
| able delay in acting on this measure.
| The presidential party returned Sunday
morning at 3 o'clock from their Florida
| trip very much pleased
! The selection of st. Louis as the place,
and June 5th as the date, is regarded by
politicians as an administration victory
and as virtual denomination of Mr..
Cleveland. The following telegram sent
| from here to the President by Maj Fran
| els, chairman of The st. Louis delegation,
means just what it says: 'COngratnla-
tons to you and the Democratic party on
the time and location of the Convention
at st. Louis. 1t means that the fight will
be made squarely Oh the principles so
clearly, forcibly and courageously enuncl-
ated in your message" | was told by
several well Informed correspondents that
during Wednesday, Randall and Hill were
in constant telegraphic communication,
by cipher. That there was fight in pro-
gress in the committee is well known.
Wednesday night there was some lively
organizing done, and VIM. l.. Scott, Secre-
| taries Villas and Dickinson ct ais. could
give us some rather sensational pointers