New-York tribune., 1900-05-24
VOTES TO ADJOURN JUNE 6.
MR.. PAYNES RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY
THE HOUSE-REDUCTIONO OF WAR
TAXES DISCUSSED.
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRrBuxE.1

fBY TELEGRAPH To THE rR1BrNE1
Washington, May 23.-The passage by the House
of Representatives to-day of the Payne resolu-
ton providing that Congress shall adjourn sine die
On June preceded by somewhat spirited
debate, in the of which Mr.. Richardson the
leader of the minority. and other Democrats sought
to produce the impression that they con-
sumed with anxiety on account Of the temporary
continuance of the taxes and eager
tc have the session indefinitely prolonged order
that the taxes might be reduced repealed be-
fore adjournment. surplus in the National
Treasury, however small and temporary, is al
ways object of aversion and horror to them
They are more familiar with deficits. and more con-
tented. apparently, when the balance is the
wrong side of the National ledgers
The reasons given by Chairman Payne of the
Ways and Means Committee why IL had been
deemed wise to reduce taxation until winter,
when, with better knowledge and more trustworthy
informa ton, Congress will deal with the subject.
were sound, and were supplemented by statements
from other members Of the committee which will
probably be regarded satisfactory by the
country.
The Democrats would have appeared to better
advantage to-day If at any previous time since
the session began they had evinced desire to
duce abolish taxes. Their leader has found
time TO offer a number of propositions to reduce
and repeal duties imports which
peace basis. but he has offered reduce
repeal taxes. The utter insincerity of the
Democratic attitude and professions was re-
vealed when nobody that side demanded d-
vision when the taken the passage of
the resolution.
Mr.. Payne presented a resolution to empower the
Ways and Means Committee to sit during the re-
consider the reduction and revision OF the
revenue taxes.
There is a great demand for the reduction OF
these taxes observed Mr.. Livingston, of Georgia.
why cannot the committee consider this subject
now?'
Il will explain said Mr.. Payne. who offered
twenty minutes a side for debate.
Il object said Mr. De Almond. of Missouri.
THE entire session has been frittered away.
There is necessity for cutting of debate this
resolution
MR.. PAYNE'S FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
Mr. Payne then offered the resolution for adjourn
ment June g. ard proceeded to the in
quiry of Mr.. Livingston the other resolution.
He explained that the total surplus for the ten
II onths and twenty-five days Of the present fiscal
year was 59,45S.Sl3- The surplus had averaged
IS, 1000 a month until April when it fell to 81 000.
600 and for the first twenty-five days of the pres
ent month to less than A00O,Oo0 He then ex-
planned the Treasury Departments policy Of re-
funding and per cent bonds in per cents. AL
ready about SS 600 Of bonds had been exchanged
He pointed the saving in interest that would
result TO the taxpayers. This refunding process,
as draft against the balance Some SIS 500 900 of
those bonds remained to be refunded, or draft Of
That would cut down the balance TO almost moth
in April and Nav he said il would be unsafe TO
reduce the war taxes now. The Ways and Means
Committee had given some hearings, and had
found that all who paid war taxes favored their
repeal or reduction but the majority dd not not pro
pose 10 enter upon IeglslatloIt now Indt Hlsit
ate deficit in the Treasury (teepubhcan appausel-
yestigated and a comprehensive and intelligent
measure framed for Introduction at the opening OF
the session in December.
DO you think it fair asked Mr. Fitzgerald. of
VASE oII1 ef 7bs Tar revenPes!
The present debt" replied Mr.. Payne, lis largely
due TO the war. and should be paid out of any
revenue available AVA H
MIR. RICHARDSON'S IDEAS.
Mr. Richardson, the minority leader. declared en-
phatcaIly that Congress ought not TO adjourn until
some provision had been made for the reduction
OF the taxes The Government could get along
without the enormous sum now being collected as
taxes. The report of the Secretary of the
the fiscal year would be $50 900 600 The gentle
man from New-York might juggie figures. but he
retary of the Treasury said there would be a
journ without giving the people some relief. Mr.
Richardson said he was in favor OF repeating the
beer Democratic appause.)
Mr. Robinson OF Indiana called attention to the
sion OF the passage OF the war revenue act that
the act would be repealed soon as the emergency
that if the war lasted only six months the law
Mr.. Underwood OF Alabama. insisted that the tax
on the brains and energy of the country should not
be continued while unproductiye wealth escaped
Mr.. Fitzgerald said il was the duty of Congress
To ren5In here and 10 CONSIDER % TINS TINS subject
publicans never intended to repeal the War Reve-
nue. act II was All a SlipIeTluSe Inc oLher SIDE
playing politics. There Will be repeal OF
law said he until William Jennings Bryan
sends his first message from the White House"
Mr.. GrosvenOr called attention the straits to
which the Government has sometimes been put by
the failure Of confidence in administrations the
situation that arose in 1884, when a Democratic
Secretary of the Treasury asked Congress power
70 borrow s2o00OO0t TO meet current expenditures
Contingencies must be guarded against. II there
any assurance that the present regime would
continue Congress could proceed with conf
dence
We can give no such assurance observed Mr.
Richardson Democratic laughter.(
he 950 aG
division.