The National tribune., 1894-07-05
CONGRESS.
Abstract of the More Important
Proceedings of Both Houses.
TUESDAY, JUNE 26.

TUESDAY. JUNE 26.
In the Senate, Mr.. Hill succeeded In break
ing the long silence of his Democratic col
leagues and compelling them to discuss with
him the merits of various features OF the in
come tax section of the pending compromise
tariff bill. When the Senators agreed in the
caucus called by Senator German several weeks
ago to stand by the Finance Committee in
whatever action its members might see fit to
take with regard to the bill, they also inform
ally agreed to let the opponents of the compro-
mise measure do all the talking, and until
to-day it has been impossible for Mr.. Hill or
the Republican Senators to taunt their op-
ponents into speech
The tariff bill was taken up at 1890 with
the pending question OH the income tax pro-
visions. Mr.. Hill IN. Y, d. withdrew an
amendment which he had offered before the
adjournment on Saturday TO strike out the ex-
emption from taxation Of the income of United
States bonds so exempted by the law of their
issuance; and he suggested making the clause
read, 1.-The principal and interest of which are,
by the law OF their ISSUE" etc. That suggestion
was accepted by Mr.. Vest NO., d. on the part
of the Finance Committee, and the clause was
so modified.
Then Mr. Hill stated that the reason why he
had offered his amendment last Saturday
(which he now admitted should not be agreed
to- was to call to the attention of the people
the fact that $685., 600 600 worth of property was
of the country. He then offered an amend
ment to include within the exemption the
bonds ofa State, County, municipality, or town;
and he made an argument in support OF that
amendment.
Mr. Vest MO, d. argued against it,
Senators Platt, Higgins, Chandler, Mitchell,
Sherman, Hoar Teller, and others joined In
the discussion.
The vote was taken on Mr.. Hills amend
ment It was reieeted-yeas %, nays 80. All
the Republicans voted for it. as well three
DemOcrats-Gray. Hill, and Pugh. Two of the
PopulisF Senators-Allen and Pefer-voted
against it, Another Populist Senator-Mr. Kyle,
and Mr.. Smith IN. j., d. were paired with
Republicans. Mr.. Irby (S c., d. voted with
his party.
Mr.. Hill moved an amendment restricting
the exemption of State bonds mot County or
municipal). He and Mr.. Vest were soon
lanched into an acrid argument.
There was not feature of Federal legislation
to-day, said Mr.. Vest, more odious TO the people
than that which exempted United States bonds
from taxation and if he had been in Congress
at the time he never would have supported it,
even under the plea that it was to maintain
National credit. The idea that men could go
into the market as they did at that time, and
buy United States bonds at 60 or 20 cents on
the dollar, aud then exempt them from State
and Federal taxation, was a monstrous idea.
Mr.. Morgan tAla, d. said that the question
involved the constitutional authority of the
Government of the United States and of the
States respectively. and their proper balance
in the system of government. He protested
against the proposed invasion Of the rights of
Alabama.
The argument in support of Mr.. Hills
amendment was continued by Senators Gray
(Del., d.. Pugh (Ala., d., Caffery la, d.,
Hoar Mass, r., Hawley Conn, r., and
against it by Mr.. Lindsay (Ky- D. and Mr..
George Miss, d..
The vote was taken and the amendment was
rejected-yeas q, nays 80.
Mr.. Allison Iowa, r moved to strike out of
the first paragraph OF the substitute the words
land ali other corporations. companies or as
sociations doing business for profit in the
United States, matter how created and Or
ganixed." He offered the amendment so az to
exempt small shareholders, whose income was
not large enough 10 subject them to income
tax, from having to pay a tax upon their divi-
dends fsom these corporations.
Without disposing of Mr.. Allison's amend
ment the Senate adjourned.
In the House, the General Deficiency bill for
the year ending June 30, 1894. was passed.
A Senate bill was passed making Labor Day
legal holiday.
There was also passed House bill, on
motion of Mr.. Pickler Is. D., r. providing
that in ali claims arising under the pension
laws of the United States the oath of a private
soldier or non-eommissioned officer shall have
the same force and effect as that of a commits
stoned officer