New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-04


amended so that the bonds should be payable in
greenbacks. He was defeated by Al yeas to
127 nays Upon the passage OF the bill the ma
jority Of the Democrats voted against 1t in
both houses
The Government having Negotiated treaty
for the annexation Of Sar Domingo to the
United States at the request Of the people OF
that island, treaty for that purpose was sent
to the Senate for ratification After long dis
cusslon in secret session the Senate failed to
ratify this measure, by tie vote. owing chiefly
to the opposition Of Senator Sumner toward
General Grant personally.
TAXATION AND THE TARIFF.
Reduction Of taxation occupied much Of the
attention OF this session So large had beco ne
the income OF the Government that the Treas
ury had been able in twenty-one months, to pay
or S191 100000 Of the public debt in addition
to paying the interest on the debt and defray-
ing the expenses OF the Government. law was
therefore passed approved July II. 1870. aboi-
ishing the income tax and reducing heavily the
internal revenue and such Of the tariff as had
been imposed purely as measures The re-
ducton by this act was $56O00OOO a year a
Republican Congress had now by successive
acts. relieved the people at large Of a total Of
1913 100000 year Of war taxes
For the first time since the enactment Of the
Protective Tariff Of 1861, the subject OF re-
vision OF the tariff and a lowering Of the duties
on foreign goods came up at this session for dis
cussion in Congress.
Confronted now with a revenue in excess OF the
needs Of the Government the Republicans en-
tered upon the discussion Of revision Of the
tariff inspired however, with a determination,
while reducing the burdens Of the people, to Sc
cure a sufficient revenue and maintain protec-
tion TO American industries. On February j.
1870, 4 bill based upon that principle. laborious-
y prepared, was reported to the House of Repre-
sentatives by Mr. Schenck Qtep). OF Ohio. II
proposed to place many articles on the free list,
convert I'D valorem To specific duties. reduce the
duty various raw materials and scale down
the duty manufactured goods as much as
they would bear consistently with maintaining
Incidental protection to home industries. The
House debated this bill, often holding night ses-
sions for the purpose. until May IT.. when. for
lack of further time the measure was laid over
until the next session. In this debate a terrific
onslaught was made upon the principle OF pro-
lection by the Democratic leaders OF the House,
and n debate was thus fairly begun, when mas
since been continued almost without cessation
in successive Congresses and which - not yet
ended The debate in Congress in the spring OK
1870 was attended by concerted assault man
aged by the Free Trade League OF New-iorK
City. and carried on in the press and forum IN
the country at large. upon the general ideas OK
o. system of protection
Announcement of the ratification OF the FIJI
tenth Amendment to the Constitution was
made, by proclamation, by Hamilton FISH, oec-
rotary of State, March 80, 1870.
W. established
France by the people thereof. This great event
was promptly recognized by the United States
Government President Grant FASTENED to tele-
graph to the American Minister in France TO
recognize the French Republic at once and to
extend his congratulate lions to the French people.
He however. caused the American Minister IN
France to extend the protection OF the nag Oh
the United States to such Germans In that coun-
try as should seek 1t, during the war then IN
progress
The third session of the XLIst Congress be-
gan December 5. 1870. terminating March 4
1871 Its compositions
Observation-Disclosures. 81; Democrats. ii:
Georgia. entitled to seats but not yet claiming
''i TIouse-James G. Blaine. of Maine, -Reph
Speaker; Republicans. 100; Democrats. q; va
cancies, . Total Dab.
REPUBLICAN POLICIES.
General Grants Message at this session fa'
yored such lowering Of taxes as was possible,
while giving all proper encouragement TO mono
industry Il urged the annexation Of San Do
mingo as a means OF giving the United States
a foothold In the West Indies in case OF war
and as promising an extension OF American
commerce and coastwise navigation In time Ok
peace. The President reported that the recent
laws of Congress had reduced the taxation
upon the American people $S00OOOOO year.