The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1895-02-05
WASHINGTON LETTER.
lFrom our Regular Correspondent


cy bill was prematurely killed in
the House. Scores of financial
bills have been prepared by SEN
ators and representatives, but
most of them have no supporters
outside of their authors. There
is much talk of a compromise
measure which is to be support
ed by the administration Demo
Gratis and Republicans; also that
Secretary Carlisle is to prepare
another currency bill so drawn
as to gain the support of the sill
yer men, who claim the credit of
defeating the other currency bill
prepared by him; but up to this
time it is all talk; there is moth
ing tangible in sight, either to
support or TO oppose, and nine
out of every ten members of con-
gress Intercepted will frankly
admit their belief that no fnan-
cial Legislation is possible at the
present session. Senator Teller
voiced the opinion of a large ma
jority of congress when he sail ::
There are about six weeks re-
naming to this congress. Now
does any person seriously believe
that revision of this vast cur
rency system be accomplished in
that tine ? Why, then, are con-
gress aud the country stirred up
by these frantic appeals from the
Treasury ?"
1t may not be true, as has been
alleged, that Senator's Hill and
Quay have entered into a con-
spiracy to defeat the appropria-
ton to put the income tax into
operation, but tie actions of
those two senators since the
urgency appropriation bill, which
contains that appropriation, has
been before the sen tie, indicates
a lack of thought on the subject
by them. According to those
who ought to know, the defeat
of this appropriation will not
prevent the collection of the tax;
it will merely make it more diff
cult.
Speaking of the income tax,
Senator Teller, in replying to a
speech of Senator Hill against
lit. gave some information not
generally remembered concern
ing its ccnsti utionality, which
| Senator ELL had attacked. He
recalled the fact that 100 years
ago the Suprems Court OF the
United States had laid down a
rule which governed thu case OF
IN income tax, and that that rule
had been followed up ID 1880
without any break; that the Su-
preme Court La1 declared in
1880 that the income tax was
constitutional, and had defined
what IS a direct tax and what is
not direct tax in language 81
plain that there could be no mis-
take about ii, Notwithstanding
learned articles to the contrary
r now being printed in the news
: papers.
Those interested IN other legis
l lation are becoming alarmed OF
account of the financial muddl'
; in congra ss. Tie outlook fol
1 general legislation is certainly
not encouraging, as the regular
appropriation bills. which Away
: have the right of way, are alons
ways from being disposed of
Even the wealthy railroad lobby
which is here in the interest o
pooling bill, is getting uneasy, al
J though the bill has passed tn
y house and is certain to be favor
y ably reported to the senate.
i The proposition to have con
4 gress authorize the constructio
u of new vessels for the navy i
: the government navy yards ar
located, has received a very de
cided set back, in the official hs
ures showing the time consume
in building and the cost of til