The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1888-03-15
Our Washington Letter.
THE MILLS BILL AND IT'S INTERNAL REV
ENUE PERSONALS, &C.

Especial Correspondence of the VIRGINIAN.l !
The new tariff bill continues the princi-
pal topic in Congressional circles. The
closer the scrutiny. the more apparent the
irregularities of the bill. 1t pleases no |
distinct element. and has its enemies III |
every section. Even the addition OF the |
internal revenue feature does not com
mend it to popular favor. Those who IN
cline to free trade and would have
earnestly supported. the original DILL de-
clare that it has been robbed OF its merits
by additions utterly at variance with the
President S recommendations and the well
known policy of the revenue reformers.
On the other hand. the protectlonlsts, who
would gladly see the whole internal reve.
enue system wiped out are not prepared
to invite disaster to every business IN
order to have their desires gratltled. But
would the enactment of the Mills Bill
dlsastrously affect the business and com
mercial interests: the farmers and the
wage earners? Only they who Immediately
gently answer tie question. and they have
been denied hearing. Before and since
the bill was made public, hearings before
the committee were asked on behalf OF
the representatives of labor, OF agriculture
and of commerce, But the majority OF
the committee said nay. They had all the
! information desired, and were prepared to
act upon their own responsibility. Inc
Republicans of the committee. speaking
! for every interest involved, demanded a
hearing for the people, but the majority
cooly replied that if argument was to be
submitted it must be in printed form. In
this way the views of all classes could be
promptly deposited in the waste basket.
Mr.. Reed declared such would be the fate
of all communications. and to obviate it,
proposed that the printed arguments
should be read before the committee. BY
strict party vote this proposition WAS
declined, the Democrats thus announcing
! to the world that they did not intend to
even read. much less consider, the pro-
tests which are pouring in upon them from
every section. and every class. Such dis
regard of the wishes of the people has
rarely before been shown by body Of men
purpcrting to be acting in the capacity of
representatives. Its parallel is found only
in the action, or rather non-action of
majority of the Committee on Education.
which for three Congresses has smothered
the Blair Bill. when they knew the de-
mand for it was national, and that on the
floor of the House its enemies would be
forced to the wall. And yet these men
claim to he public servants.
Mr.. Randall is opposed to the bill, and
will incorporate his views in a separate
measure. 1t is understood that his propo-
stion will include reductions. of duty on
some articles, but It's principal feature
will be the practical abolition of the Inter
nal Revenue system.
On behalf Of the m inority Of the COM
mittee, and as representing the Republi-
can idea of reducing the surplus and lift
ing the burdens of taxation, substitute
for the Mills Bill will be presented. The
heavy reduction will be in the Interna
Revenue; the transfer to the free list of
articles not produced in this country, and
, which therefore do not come in competi-
ton with domestic enterprise: and proba-
bly, an increase of daty upon some articles.
! the importation of which ought to be pro-
, hibited. The only practical. reduction Of
revenue effected by the Mills Bill, is in
transfer to the free list. The simple cut.
ting down of duties'would but add to the
surplus, as it IS we'll known that the reduc-
, tions of duty stimulate importations, and
thus increase the revenue. The Republi.
can bill Will aim to meet the necessities of
! the situation; to stop the inpour into the
Treasury, and relieve the people of direct
taxation At the same time it will pre-
serve our home manufactures AMI our
home market to our home people, and in
sure to the working classes protection
against the runous competition Of i'll paid
a foreign labor.
, The addition TO the Mills Bill. which re.
q lates to the Internal Revenue, exempts
, from taxation all tobacco except cigars,
, cigaretts and cheroots, and reduces the
license to sell one half. The revenue from
spirits is reduced by the abolition Of the
license tax on retailers.
The beauties and benefits of this reform
0 administration are beginning to be appre-
L ciated. Public Printer Benedict is now
undergoing investigation, aid the develop
9 ments already made should insure his
g speedy dismissal. He has shown an
: utter incapacity to manage an establish
= ment so vast as the Government Printing
e Office, and reckessness in his statements
J. with reference to the work of his prede.
e cessors and his own achievements that is
f monumental. There has scarcely been a
S day since the assembling of Congress that
D well founded complaints have not been
made against the printing Office and sew
eral very costly mistakes have been made
t the general delay of the work has been
L, more than aggravating.
+ But this has not been the only cause OF
= complaint among the members. The dis
tribution of The seeds from the Agricul
F tural Department has given no little
2 worry In the first place. the quota OF
each member enables him to send limited
supply-lve or six packages-to only about
1000 out of the 10000 families in his dis
district In the majority of instances
: lists are sent to the Department, and the
. packages are then addressed and for
warded.
o Every day complaints come of the non
arrival of the Seeds Often the member
. is notified that the cards sent out with the
= packages have reached their destination
!, but that the seeds have not. These COM
plants are not confined to one section, OF
> one political party, but have become SC
: common that no one pays much attention
to them. The fact is the Department has
about concluded that the seed business is
o more of nuisance than a benefit, an6
\ steps are being taken looking to the abo
lition of the system. If it should be abol
. ished. the country will be able to sustain