The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-05
THE MORNING NEWS: THURSDAY. MAY 5, 1898
INCOME TAX STIRS UP SENATE.
PROPOSITION CAUSES A SPIRITED
DEBATE.

\
DEBATE.
Comes In in the Form of an Amend
ment offered by Mr.. Mills to the
Resolution Proposing an Amend
ment TO the Constitution ReIatinu
10 the Succession to the President
cy-PrOpOsed Amendment Laid on
the Table.
Washington, May 4.-Quite Unexpectedly
brief, but sharp. debate was precipi-
tated in the Senate to-day on the income
tax proposition.
The resolution proposing an amendment
to the constitution of the United States re-
lating TO the succession to the presidency
was under discussion.
Mr.. Mills of Texas proposed an amend
ment in the form of a new section in
tended TO authorize Congress to lay a tax
on certain incomes in such form as 10
meet the requirements OF the decision of
the Supreme Court. He was sharply criu-
eised for endeavoring to place such rider
on resolution, which practically all SEN
ators favored, but stood his ground and
insisted upon a vote on his amendment.
The amendment was defeated. 80 to %. all
the Republicans voting against the amend
ment and all the Democrats, except Mr..
Caffery of Louisiana, together with the
Populists and Silver Republicans, voting
in favor of it,
A joint resolution, which was adopted,
reads as follows:
In all cases not provided for by article
second, clause 5, of the Constitution.
where there is no person entitled to dis
charge the duties of the office of the Pres
ident, the same shall devolve upon the
Vice President. The Congress may. bv
law, provide for the case where there is
no person entitled 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 fortihca-
tons appropriation bill was presented and
agreed TO.
Mr. Stewart of Nevada offered an
amendment as substitute for the loan
and bond sections of the war revenue bill.
Which provided for the issuance of $500, =
100000 of treasury notes.
Mr. Perkins of California presented the
conference report on the Notifications APP
preparation bill.
MIR. Chandler and Mr. German antago-
nized the action of the Senate conferees
in abandoning bill offered by Mr. Chand-
Ter, respecting the payment by the gov
eminent for the use of inventions of army
and Tha
to, however.
Mr. Cockrell of Missouri secured the pas
sage Of the following resolution:
That the Secretary of the Treasury is
hereby directed to make to the Senate a
report showing the coming value of the
silver bullion in the treasury and the
amount of the segniorage and the amount
of the existing treasury notes issued in its
purchase; and the amount of standard sill
yer dollars coined under the act of July
II, 1870, and the amount of the seigniorage
and the amount of the treasury notes re-
deemed in such dollars and retired"
At2 O'clock the special order, joint les
olution. proposing an amendment TO the
constitution of the United States, provld-
ing for the succession in case of the death
of the President-elect before his inaug J.
ration was taken up. The proposed
amendment was favorably reported from
the judiciary committee.
Mr.. Mills of Texas offered the following
amendment in the form of a new section:
Section Direct taxes shall not be APP
portioned among the several states which
may be included within this union, accord
ing to their respective numbers, but Con
gress shall have power to lay and collect
direct taxes, as other taxes, duties, in
posts and excuses are levied and collected -
Mr. Mills explained that his amendment
was offered in order shat the points raised
by the Supreme Court against the income
tax proposition might be met
Mr. Hoar made an appeal to Mr. Mills
to withhold his amendment, promising al
any time in the future ne would assist him
in getting consideration for his income tax
amendment.
Mr. Mills insisted on his amendment
and Mr.. Hoar then moved to lay IL on the
table.
Upon this the ayes and noes were 6e-
manded. The motion was carried 80 to o.
After some further debate upon the res
olution pending in the course of which
both Mr. Hoar and Mr.. Bacon said that
it was not intended TO cover, and did not
cover cases of contested presidential cleo
tons, the resolution was agreed TO- the
necessary two-thirds voting for It,
Mr.. Hawley, chairman of the military ar
fairs committee, presented the report Of
the conferees of the bill suspending the
law. relating to the purchase OF supplies
by the quartermaster department Of the
army.
Mr.. German thought the proposed law
was "unwse," imprudent and unneces-
sary. He regarded 1t as most extraordi-
nary that bureau officers should be au-
thorized to purchase unlimited supplies
without the restrictions Of law. The report
went over until tomorrow.
At o'clock the Senate adjourned.
WORK OF THE HOUSE.