The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-04-18

house. In that event they are prepared
to stand out against a surrender on
the part of of senate. How Ions this
determination will hold good remains
to- be developed. but the advocates OF
the recognition OF Cuban independence
refuse to be convinced ti&at any course
than it's recognition is tenable. They
decline to even discuss the lines Of any
compromise short OF the senate's action
on this point. Whether they would
hold to this II they should nnd the house
equally determined is not sure in view
of the pressure for action. Still many
OF the most radical pro ro-Cubans say that
insufficient action il no better than
no action at all. On the other hand.
there Is an element in the senate Of
respectable proportions which favors
the house resolutions over those Of the
senate. and whose influence will be con-
stantly exerted in the senate against
the resolutions rs amended. and there
are probably a dozen more who voted for
the declaration as a whole who are not
heartily favorable to II and who would
not be greatly disappointed over fsnd-
ing an opportunity to modify the SEN
ate's position. Thus It Is while the SEN
timent In the senate n not yet sufficiently
crystallixed to justify positive predic-
tion there II enough difference of opin-
Ion to present an interesting situation
II the house should fail to endorse the
senate's action.
The Republicans of the ways and
means committee have blocked out bill
Tor war revenue whenever the necessity
Tor action 10 apparent. A tax on patent
and proprietary medicines, telegraph
messages and express packages is in
corporated. This scheme Of taxation is
estimated to raise 5000. 900. The tax
on medicines will be cents on packages
or bottles retailing at rs cents or under,
and four cents on those retailing above
that price.
The tax on messages will be cent on
all which cost 25 cents or less and cents
on all above Is cents. A duty of } cents
per pound is placed upon tea and cents
upon coffee, with q countervailing in
ternal revenue tax on stock on hand.
This latter will be In the form of a tax
on the sales of stock on hand to avoid
the constitutional inhibition against a
direct tax. From tea and coffee $685.
ooo. 900 are estimated. Bottled waters are
10 bear tax similar to patent medi-
cines. rrx
For ia pressing needs of the govern
ment the secretary OF the treasury is
given the general power to issue certifi-
Gates OF Indebtedness payable In one
year and TO bear not to exceed 3 percent
interest. The secretary of the treasury
is also authorized to borrow on the credit
OF the government by popular subscrip-
ton loan OF $500. .0oo,0 900.
Major General Miles, discussing the
situation. said: The orders issued to
the army do not contemplate mere mill
tary demonstration or stage play for the
benent Of Spain. We are engaged in
grave and serious business. The army
will be efficiently organized that II may
acquit itself with honor In the carrying
out of the administration plans for in
tervention In Cuba. as they may be ex-
pressed by the formal action Of congress
and by the approval Of the president.
Our plans Of campaign are. for OBJ
vious reasons, not subjects for discus
sion. i have no hesitation In saying,
however. that We shall be prepared to
cross the gulf for active military opera
tions in Cuba In conjunction with the in
surgents' army at the proper time. when
the navy shall have cleared the way for
the effective landing OF the United States
troops on Cuban shores"