Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-06-04
FIFTY-FIFTH CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON, June 4.
GENATE-

o~~@'N-N~-~
After the transaction of brief routine
business, the Senate resumed considera-
ton of the war revenue measure.
As no amendment was pending Mr..
Allison suggested the bill be reported
from the committee of the whole 10 the
Senate.
The suggestion developed several
amendments and also the absence OF a
quorum.
Mr.. Mason who said he had an i'm
portant amendment demanded a call
Of Senate.
After delay of fifteen minutes q
quorum was secured.
Mr.. Morgan then took the floor and
offered an amendment requiring the
Secretary of the Treasury to proceed
with the collection of taxes under the
provisions OF the income tax law OF
1894, and rectly repealed by the Ding
ley bill. If the Secretary of the Treas
ury should refuse to levy the taxes un-
der the law, the amendment provides
that it shall be the duty ofthe Attorney
General to proceed against the Secre-
tary of the Treasury to compel him to
perform the duties; and if the Attorney
General should refuse to take that &C.
lion any tax payer of the United States
may bring the nece ,sary action to COM
pei the enforcement of the law.
Mr.. Morgan said that full opportuni-
ty was presented by his amendment to
have the question which it involves
settled by the Supreme Court, for, quite
naturally, affirmative action taken by
Congress upon the subject would rele-
gate the entire subject to the Supreme
Court.
Mr.. Morgan maintained that no part
of the income tax provisions of the
Wilson law having been repealed by
the Dingley law. the provisions were in
full force and effect. He said he had
been urged not to precipitate the ques.
ton involved in his amendment until
the Supreme Court had been reorgan-
lied by political exigencies but he
thought that the present moment, q
time OF war, was the time to bring for
ward the income tax proposition. He
said that while the war was in progress
be wanted the Supreme Court to take
I'D the income tax question and con-
slider it. The Supreme Court decision
does not present any impeachment
whatever as TO many of the sections OF
the law which were not touched by the
decision of the court. As TO the prob
able action of the court it may be said
that every great man at times changes
his mind upon public questions. To
his mind there is not only hope, but
almost certainty that in this time OF
var and the country's need the Su-
preme Court will ind reason for the an
nouncement that the unrepealed in
come tax laws are valid and ought to
be enforced.
Congress could scarcely refuse, he
thought, to provide for another test OF
the income tax question in view of the
fact that it was forced TO increase tax
alton and to borrow money, in order to
prosecute the present war.
At tho conclusion of his speech Mr..
Morgan asked for yea and nay vote
upon his amendment. The amendment
was rejected, 80 to 3S, Messrs. Caffrey
and German voting with the republican
majority.
Mr.. Turley offered an amendment
levying an excise tax on one fourth OF
one per cent upon the gross receipts Oh
transportation firms, companies or cor
porations doing an interstate business
or business between State and
foreign country. The amendment also
placed the same excise tax upon tele-
graph and telephone companies send
ing messages from one State or terri
tory to another. The amendment was
rejected, "a to 3S.
Mr.. White offered bis amendment
placing tax upon sleeping car firms,
companies and corporations of one
fourth of one per cent. upon their gross
receipts. In the case of sleeping Gals
operated by the railroads the tax is
levied only upon the gross receipts
from the sleeping car business.
After desultory debate which took
q wide range, Mr.. Gallinger offered in
lieu of Mr.. Whites amendment SUBJ
stitute providing that after July l, 1898,
a stamp tax of one cent on every seat
sold in palace or parlor GER and on
every berth in sleeping car, the stamp
to be affixed to the ticket and paid for
by the car company.
Mr.. White accepted the substitute
and it was incorporated in the bill with.
out division.
HOUSE.
Upon request of Mr.. Dingley the
House ordered the printing of 5000
copies of the revenue bill as it shall
pass the Senate.
He then moved to adjourn, but with
drew it, and Mr.. Payne called up the
Senate bill to grant an American regis
ter to the steamship China. 1t wss
( assed.
Mr.. Lacey secured consideration Of
the Senate bill to protect homesteaders
who may enlist and serve in the forces |
OF the United States.
After some debate it was passed and |
upon motion of Mr.. Dingley the House