Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-05-23
THE HOUSE.

perfidy and fraud
Mr.. Payne. chairman of the ways and
means committee. presented from that COM
mittee resolution to empower the ways
and means committee to sit during the
recess to consider the reduction and re-
vision of the war revenue taxes.
There is a great demand for the reduc-
ton of these taxes" observed Mr.. Living
ston (Ga.). why cannot the committee
consider this subject now?''
Il will explain" said Mr.. Payne. who Of
fered twenty minutes side for debate.
Il object" said Mr.. De Almond tMoo.
1.-The entire session has been frittered
away. There is no necessity for cutting off
debate on this resolution
To Adjourn June @.
Mr. Payne then offered the resolution for
sine die adjournment June g. and pro-
ceeded to answer the inquiry of Mr.. Llv-
ingston on the other resolution. He ex-
planned that the total surplus for the ten
months and twenty-five days of the pres
ent fiscal year was $50, 45S.313. The surplus
had averaged $S.OOO.GO a month until April.
when it fell to S4,OD.UO and for the first
twenty-five days of the present month to
less than a million.
Unsafe to Cut Taxes Vow.
He then explained the policy entered upon
by the treasury of refunding and per
cent bonds in , per cents. Already about
S2s,OM.0O0 of bonds had been exchanged.
He pointed out the saving in interest that
would result to the taxpayers. This refund
ing process, he said. did not show in the
treasury balances. but as a draft against
the balance. Some s23.3OO,OOO of those
bonds remained to be refunded or draft of
So. 100000 against the surplus since March
Il. That would cut down the balance TO
~ Dy,I in n
off of the surplus in April and May, he
said. it would be unsafe to reduce the war
taxes now. The ways and means commit
tee had given some hearings and had found
that all who paid war taxes favored their
repeal or reduction. but the majority did
not propose to enter upon legislation now
that might create deficit in the treasury.
Republican applauseo During the recess
the whole subject could be investigated and
a comprehensive and intelligent measure
framed for introduction at the opening of
the session in December.
do you think it fair asked Mr.. Fftz-
gerald (MassD. that the people should pay
the bonds out of the war revenues?"
THE present debt replied Mr.. Payne.
lis largely due to the war and should be
paid out of any revenue available.
Favors Repeal of Beer Tax.
Mr. Richardson (Tenn), the minority
leader. declared emphatically that Congress
ought not to adjourn until some provision
had been made for the reduction of the
war taxes. The government could get
along without the enormous sum now be-
ing collected as war taxes. The report OF
the Secretary of the Treasury showed that
the surplus at the end of the fiscal year
would be S9o.o00o0. The gentleman from
New York might juggle figures, but he
could not get away from the fact that the
Secretary of the Treasury said there would
he vast surplus June 80. Congress should
not adjourn without giving the people some
relief Mr.. Richardson said he was in favor
of repeating the tax on beer. democratic
applauSeD
Mr. Robinson Gnd) called attention to
the statement of the republican leaders on
the occasion of the passage of the war rev.
enue act. that the act would be repealed as
soon as the emergency passed. and notably
the statement of Mr.. Cannon that If the
war lasted but six months the law would
be repealed at the end of six months.
Mr. Underwood (Ala) insisted that the
tax upon the brains and energy of the
country should not he continued while I'M
productive wealth escaped. =
Mr.. Fitzgerald (Mass) said 1t was the
duty Of Congress to remain here and con-
slider this subject.
Mr. Suzer IN. " declared that the re-
publicans never intended to repeal the war
revenue act. 1t was all subterfuge. The
be no repeal of this law" said he. until
William Jenr ings Bryan sends his first
message from the White House"
Mr.. Hopkins Ull) said that the statement
of Mr.. Payne furnished ample reason for
postponing action
Mr. Grosvenor (Ohio) called attention to
the straits 70 which the government had
sometimes been put by failure of confidence
in administrations. and to the situation that
arose in 1894, when democratic Secretary
of the Treasury asked Congress for power
to borrow $2O0D.6D to meet current ex
penditures. Contingencies must be guarded
a
the present regime would continue Con-
gress could proceed with more confidence.
I'VE can give no such assurance, OBJ
served Mr.. Richardson. Democratic laugh
teri
Adjournment Resolution Adopted.
The adjournment resolution was adopted
without division.
Nicely ExtraditiOn Bill.
Mr.. Ray (N.Y), chairman of the Judiciary
committee. then obtained unanimous con-
sent for the consideration of the Nelly ex-
tradition bill. 1t was arranged that there
should be forty-five minutes debate on
each side. Mr.. Ray explained the necessity
for the passage of the bill. not only to meet
the case of Nelly. but to meet other cases,
should such arise
Mr. DeArmond (Mo.) desired to offer an
amendment to the bill, but some question
ing amendments. leading to a sharp ex-
change between Mr. Ray and Mr.. Dear
mond and temporarily the question was
passed.
Mr.. DeArmond then launched into bit
ter and scathing denunciation of the 'pecu-
lation and wholesale robbery proceeding
with the rapid exploitation of Imperialism
in Cuba"
Mr. DeArmond said the disease might not
be confined to Cuba, but might exist else
where where 1t was commended the COnsti-
tuition did not extend. but where only arb-
trary power controlled. dominated plum
dered and disgraced. Gentlemen who We're
tracking down their own robbers to clear
their own skirts and save their party from
damage were not anxious to consider
their merits other propositions designed to
the same end.
The amendment which Mr.. DeArmond de-
sired to offer was read by him. 1t was in
the nature of a substitute. and provided that
while Cuba was occupied by the United
States offenders in Cuba who flee to the
United States should be surrendered upon
written acquisitions.
Mr.. Cannon Ull) supported the bill. and in
doing took occasion to characterize Mr..
DeArmond as chronic calamity bowler"
The real province of a minority. he said,
vas to perfect and better legislation not to
oppose everything.
Does the gentleman think good legisla-
ton is accomplished by denying the oppor-
fupirv pf amendment asked Mr. 10