Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-05
SENATE AND HOUSE.
BRIEF but SHARP DEBATE IN
THE FORMER.
INCOME TAX PROPOSITION.
Mr.. Mil, Introduces an amendment
Intended TO Meet the Supreme
Court Objection-Preside Sue
cess1Ou.
cessfOu.

|. WASHINGTON, May I-Quite unex-
pectedly, brief but sharp debate was
| precipitated in the Senate to-day on the
income-tax proposition. The resolution
proposing an amendment to the United
| States Constitution, relating to the sue
cession to the presidency was under dis
cussion. Mr.. Mills. of Texas, proposed
an amendment, in the form Of a new Sec
ton, intended to authorize Congress TO
lay a tax on incomes in such form as to
meet the requirements of the decision OF
the Supreme Court. He was sharply criti-
cised for endeavoring to place such a
rider on resolution which practically
all senators favored but stood his ground
and insisted upon a vote. on his amend
| ment. The amendment was defeated
| 32 to 29-al the Republicans voting against
the amendment and all the Democrats,
except Mr.. Caffery. of Louisiana, to-
gether with the Populists and Sllver-Re-
publicans voting in favor of 1t.
The joint resolution, which was adopt
ed, reads as follows:
"In all cases not provided for by Ar
ticle H.. clause fifth, OF the Constitution,
where there is no person entitled to dis
charge the duties of the Office of Presi-
dent the same shall devove upon the
Vice-President.
"The Congress may by law provide for
the case where there is no person en-
titled to hold the office of President or
Vice-President, declaring what officer
shall act as President and such officer
shall act accordingly, until the disability
shall be removed or a President shall be
elected"
The conference report on the fortifica-
tons appropriation bill was presented and
agreed to.
Mr.. Stewart, of Nevada, offered an
amendment, as a substitute for the loan
and bond sections of the war revenue
bill, which provided for the issuance of
500 600 of Treasury notes.
MIR. Perkins. of California. presented
the conference report on the fortifications
appropriation bill.
Mr.. Chandler and Mr.. German antago-
nized the action of the Senate conferrees
i'm abandoning an amendment offered by
Mr.. Chandler respecting payment by the
government for the use of inventions OF
army and navy officers. The report was
agreed to. however
Mr.. Cockrell of Missouri. secured the
passage of the following resolution;
"That the Secretary of the Treasury
Is hereby directed to make 10 the Senate
a report showing the coinage value OF
the silver bullion in the Treasury, the
amount of the seigniorage. and the
amount of the existing Treasury notes
issued in its purchase; the amount OF
standard silver dollars coined under the
act of July IA, 1870, and the amount of
the seigniorage and the amount of Urea
sury notes redeemed in such dollars and
retired"
SUCCESSION TO PRESIDENCY.
At o'clock the special order. a joint
resolution proposing an amendment TO
the Constitution of the United States,
providing for the succession in case OF
the death of the President-elect before
his inauguration, was taken up. The pro-
posed amendment was favorably reported
from the Judiciary Committee.
Mr.. Mills, of Texas, offered the follow
ing amendment:
Section 2. Direct taxes shall not be
apportioned among the several States
which may be included within this Union
according to their respective NUMBERS,
but Congress shall have power TO lay
and collect direct taxes as other taxes,
duties, imposts, and excuses are levied
and collected.
MIR. Mills explained that his amendment
was offered in order that the points raised
by the Supreme Court against the IN
come-tax proposition might be met.
Mr.. Hoar made an appeal To Mr.. Mills
to withhold his amendment, promising
that at any time in the future he would
assist him in getting consideration Tor
his income-tax amendment.
Mr.. Mills insisted upon his amendment,
and Mr.. Hoar then moved 10 lay 1t on
the table Upon this the yeas and nays
were demanded.
The motion was carried-32 TO ZS-ahu
after some further debate upon the reso-
luton pending, I'm the course OF which
'both Mr.. Hoar and Mr.. Bacon said that
II was not intended TO cover, and did not
cover. cases of contested presidential
elections. the resolution was agreed TO,
the necessary two-thirds voting Tor IL.
Mr.. Hawley. chairman of the Military
Affairs Committee, presented the report
of the conferrees on the bill suspendihS
the law relating to the purchase OF sup
plies by the quartermaster's department
OF the army.
Mr. German. of Maryland, thought the
nT0n0EGn
apd unnecessary" He regarded IL as
most extraordinary that bureau officers
should be authorized to purchase unlim-
tied supplies. without the restrictions oil
law. The report went over until To-
morrow. ,.,
The ; o'clock the Senate adjourned.
House of Representatives.
The House to-day adopted the come
renee report upon the Notifications Dill
The remainder of the session was con
sumed with the consideration OF the Aias,
kan land bill and resolution lol 20 60
90 the act prohibiting the passage OF
Goods In bond through local territory OF
the United States to the free zone OF
Mexico. The latter was passed. out the
| Alaskan measure went over.
The House, at 4:2O p. NJ, adjourned
HO. FOR THE CONVENTION.