The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-07-08
TEST OF ENDURANCE is PROMISED
BY MIR. ALLISON TO SECURE
A VOTE.
The STOCK AND BOND TAX ADOPTED
Without OppOsitiOn-GOOd Progress
Was Made on the Bill-Republi-
cans VIII Caucus On Sugar
Bounty Amendment Today.

shortly before the adjournment of the
senate tonight, that as no agreement has
been reached to remain in session tomor-
row night at least till the bill was re-
ported from the committee of the whole
to the senate. This promises test of
endurance unless the opposition to the
bill gives way. Mr.. Allison's statement
was made after another futile effort to
have time fixed for the vote.
In some respects the senate made good
progress today, disposing of two i'm
pOrtant amendments, that of placing q
stamp tax on stocks and bonds being
agreed to with little or no opposition and
without the formality of a vote, while
the Spooner amendment proposing II
tariff investigation was withdrawn after
a protracted struggle.
Exemption from the stamp tax are
made III the case of state, county and
municipal bonds and the stocks and
bonds of cooperative building associa-
tons.
Late in the day several new amend
ments from individual senators were
voted on. One by Mr.. Mantle of Mon
tana,: reducing the internal revenue on
distilled spirits to 20 cents per gallon was
defeated.
An amendment by Mr. Mills of Texas
proposing a tax of 5 per cent on manu-
featured products, the proceeds to go
towards reducing the bonded debt. was
rejected, 10 to 80.
Also an amendment by Mr.. Mills
granting a 20 per cent reduction in the
duties to those countries admitting gold
and silver to their minis at the ratio of
16 to l, yeas &c. nays 81.
On this vote one republican, Mr..
Carter, voted with the democrats, popu-
lists and silver republicans in the affirma-
tive and two democrats Caffery and
Gray, voted with the republicans in the
negative
Mr.. Mills of Texas moved to amend
paragraph 800 by striking out "books
of all kinds"
His purpose being to place on the free
to %.
An effort by Mr. Mills to have the
Bible admitted free was defeated.
The stamp amendment as whole was
finally agreed to on a viva vOce vote.
The "no" response was light and came
from the democratic side.
Mr.. Allison proposed the amendment
heretofore offered by Mr.. Sp0oner for a
tariff inquiry by members of a board of
appraisers.
Mr.. Teller took occasion to criticise the
committee for first transforming the
house bill, and then going back in sub
| stance to the house rates. He had tried
| to learn what amount of revenue the
| bill would yield, and he said he would
be glad to have the chairman, Mr. ALI
son, throw some light on that subject.
This brought Mr.. Allison to his feet
| for the first definite statement as to the
revenue expected to be derived. He
said it was not possible for any expert
to make exact calculations on the amount
of revenue tariff bill would yield. 1t
had never been done and never will be.
able" proceeded Mr.. Allison, II believe
this bill will yield $175.000000 to $780,
| 100000 the first year, that is from July,
1897, to July /, 1898"
He said the schedules had been gone
over at every stage as successive changes
were made and he felt that this estimate
could be safely made. 1t applied only to
the first year, after which there would
be much larger yield of revenue.
ried Mr.. White.
1T depends" answered Mr.. Allison,
'but / would say something over $780,
0OO.00O"
How much over the present law" ask
ed Mr.. Stewart of Nevada.
About $60,000,000," responded Mr..
Allison, "but it will depend upon the con-
dtion of our industries. 1t is not possible
TO make more than general estimate"
Mr.. Vest remarked that the average ad
valorem rate of the bill would be much
higher than that of either the Mckinley
or existing law, the Mckinley ad valorem
being 40 per cent; the existing law 30
per cent, while the estimate on the house
bill was 81 per cent. Mr. Allison says
the average ad valorem of the bill in its
final form would be in the neighborhood
of So cents. He contended if the finance
committee was looking for revenue from
S20000,00O to $25,0O0, 100000 could be
obtained by reduction of the internal
revenue, the tax on whisky to the old
rate or even lower His argument was
that the high tax of $1.10 a gallon which
was in reality tax of 1000 per cent,
stimulated illicit distilling.
Mr.. Lindsay followed with a sever
arraignment of the wood alcohol provl-
sion which, he said, was reaping millions
a year by the duty of $3.50 per gallon on
its product oil the one hand and high
revenue tax which it did not have to pay
on the other.
Mr.. Allison criticised the tariff inquiry
amendment as designed to provide a
| partisan tariff commission which could
| be relied upon to make a jug handled re-
! port.
Mr.. Spooner defended his, amendment.
| He denied the secretary OF the treasury
| would under his amendment have the
| power to suppress any portions of the re-
| ports submitted to him. The commission
| would furnish information which he
hoped would have beneficial results. /.
| Mr.. Cafferey criticised the methods Of
making the commission up.
| Mr.. Morgan opposed the commission
amendment on the ground that congress
| had no right to delegate its powers. He
drifted into a general discussion OF the
| bill.
1T seized the money of the people.
said he, and divided it among the politl-
clans and their friends
Mr.. Allison briefly answered as to the
( Spooner amendment, and said in view OF
| the opposition developed the committee
| would withdraw the amendment as 1t
was not felt to be sufficiently important
| to further delay the bill.
| A new amendment by Mr.. Morgan was
agreed to without opposition, authorizing
| the president, when he is satisfied it is
| for the public good, to suspend the opera
| ton of the law as to the discriminating
| tonnage duty on merchandise or com
| modities or the vessels of foreign nations
| carrying the same.
At $50 the bill was laid aside and
| after an executive session of ten minutes,
| the senate adjourned.