The times., 1898-05-29

The Senate was slow in getting down to
business yesterday. Nearly half an horr
was consumed in getting quorum. Mr..
Allison was very anxious to get a vote on
the German amendment to the revenue
bll but the spirit Of talk was stin ram
pant, and the whole day was spent in
debate.
Long speeches We're made by Senator's
Daniel and Wolcott
Mr.. Daniel spoke in support Of the con-
stitutionalty of the tax on corporations.
He declared that Congress had the right
to lay and collect tax on gross receipts.
as il had been previously done. and such
4 tax was upheld by the courts.
Mr.. Wolcott took the floor at the con
clusion of Mr. Daniels speech. He
thought it a matter of congratulation
that so little of political discussion had
entered into the consideration of the
measure. He deprecated the presentation
of the Hawaiian amendment offered by
Mr. Lodge, and said he was glad that
no Western senator had offered 1t.
II had often been said that We We're
only warning with a fifth-rate power;
with the exception Of a war with Great
Britain-and Mr. Walcott was glad that
the chances Of q war with that nation
was growing DINNER and DINNER every
day-Jhere was no other nation with
which we could have trouble that would
be SO expensive 10 the United States Is
a war with Spain on account Of her
numerous colonies in proximity TO Us.
Mr.. Wolcott approved the bill generally
and said that rhe methods proposed by
both the majority and minority Of the
committee in regard TO taxation was the
same in general effect. He said. how
ever that the tax on express companies
was q serious mistake; that il amounted
10 a total Of . - per cent on their CAPT
taliZation He gave notice that he should
offer an amendment TO strike out this
feature Of the bill. He indorsed the in
heritance tax, saying il was peculiarly
appropriate.
Mr. Wolcott thought that the railroad
tax was al right but he indorsed the
Republican method of collecting it, say
ing il was III his opinion a much fairer
way than the plan proposed by the Dem
oeratc members Of the committee. The
tax on banks. he thought, was not .
fair or just tax.
Mr.. Tilman wanted TO know why there
had been no tax put on tea and coffee.
Mr.. HOicOJJ admitted that he could not
explain. He said that if Mr.. Tillmau
would offer an amendment putting
tax of fifteen cents q pound on tea. hc
would vote for IL.
Mr. Tillman said he thought he would
give senators chance TO vote on that
question
Mr WOlcott then turned his attention
to the silver seigniorage and declared that
II should be coined. i could be done
without the slightest injury to the credit
Of the country
He offered an amendment providing
that this seiEniOrage should be coined at
the rate Of 100000 per month. and puf
into circulation. He said he was a hard
money man and for that reason he was
not in favor Of the proposition to issue
$l51 .OJ5 in greeubacks. He said he still
had tile lingering hope that the Repubn-
cans would accept and support his seign-
forage proposition.
Mr. Wolcott then indorsed the bond
proposition. declaring that il would be a
magnificent example Of American patriot
ism in making ii plain that we count our
wealth for nothing when we are engaged
In war for the extinction Of oppression.
He declared ii would be a popular loan
despite the fact that the Secretary of the
Treasury had stated that he did not be-
lieve it would be taken up by the people
lie referred 10 Mr.. Gage as being the most
distinguished representative of the gold
democratic party, and that ii was natural
that il should be his desire to carry out
the theories Of the Indianapolis conven-
tion.
Mr- Stewart once more got the floor and
Tehashed his old argument as TO the bene-
fiji to be derived by the issuance of the
Sl5Ue10eV 5n greenbacks. He said II would
add more to the revenue than the selling
OF S2tleN coo Of bonds. He declared that
the desire on the part Of those who ad-
Vocated bonds was 10 increase the power
of plutocracy. That every man who own
Cd one of the bonds would be eager to in
crease the vaue Of money
Al 3-20 Mr. Aldrich made = motion to
lay the entire section relating TO taxing
corporations on the table, which was done
by a vote of II 10 q.
Mr. German then called for the yeas
and nays on his substitute for the amend
ment.
Mr.. Platt spoke briefly against it. saying
that II IL was intended to hit great cor
porations il would fail
Mr. White then took the floor in favor
ot Mr. Gorman's amendment. He thought
II was high time that Congress should
know what its powers We're in the direc-
ton Of laying taxes. He believed that
Congress had the power 10 enact a tax
on corporations and firms, and he gave
notice that If the amendment offered bv
Mr. German should fail, he had a sub
Etitute which he should offer.
Mr.. Nelson offered an amendment 10
Mr., Gorman's amendment. making the
tax IA Of per cent. instead Of l-2 of ]
Der cent.
Mr. Pettigrew began what promised n
be an extended speech approving the Cor
man amendment. when Mr. Elkins re-
quested him to suspend for an executive
session.
Mr.. Mason here moved that the Senate
meet on Tuesday next. This motion was