The Laclede blade., 1904-12-10
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Our Regular Correspondent Writes From the
National Capitol.

There are five great questions 70,
this congress to dispose of-tarif re-
vision, merchant marine subsidies, re.
ciprocity, how to increase the revenue
and how to keep down expenditures
Congress will be in session but 90
days, with II weeks of actual work
or, eliminating the holidays, 66 work.
ing days. And during this short time
legislation will be asked for by impa.
tient promoters outside of the regular
appropriation bills. Under the cir
cumstances much desirable legislation
must 90 over until next December.
While many congressman, both re-
publicans and democrats, are calling
at the White House to extend greet
ings to the president, they take the
opportunity to express their opinion
about tariff revision. Mr.. Jones, of
Washington, says that in his state
the republicans preached prosperity,
giving the credit to protective tariff.
He adds, eve cannot have revision
for a few people in Massachusetts" "
The representatives from West Vir-
ginia say no revision Of the tariff is
needed or desired in that state. Sen
ator Fulton, of Oregon, takes the same
view. Senator McComas, of Mary
land, regards an extra session as un-
necessary. Thus far the weight of
opinion made public is against revis-
ion before next December. But there
are states and statesmen yet to be
heard from.
k
1t is gratifying to record the good
feeling which exists between demo-
cratic members of congress and the
president. Besides meeting him cor
daily they bring number of invita-
tions for him to visit the South next
spring. One of these comes from the
Chamber of Commerce in Louisville,
Ky. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee says he
hopes to see the president in Virginia
and it is known that he Intends to
meet the citizens of New Orleans and
make tour through Texas. That
the president does not forget the
South is evidenced by the announce
ment that he intends to appoint
grandson Of Stonewall Jackson, and
son of the Macon, Ga, postmaster,
cadets at West Point. And he says
he hopes the grandson of Jackson
will show the military genius of his
grandfather. His graceful action
also, in providing place for the ven.
cradle confederate general, Senator
Cockrell, of Missouri, at salary of
$1,000, is warmly appreciated by The
veterans in grey.
Xxx x
Congress will endeavor to devise
ways and means for increasing the
revenue of the government. The i'm
position of heavy tonnage taxes, as
proposed by the merchant marine
commission, it is thought will add an
annual revenue of $5,000,000. The
abolition of the army transport sys-
tenn is likely to be recommended, and
if accomplished, 1t will decrease ex-
penses and permit American owners
of private vessels to do the business
It is proposed to tax grape brandy
used for the purpose of fortifying
wines. Last year no less than g.
473, ,446 gallons were admitted to this
country free. A tax of $1.10 would
yield revenue of S3,S2O,790. 1t is
also recommended that wood alcohol
should be taxed. At one time oleo-
margarine pielded a revenue of $2,-
462,634. Owing to the tax of 10
cents a pound, this revenue has fallen
% s279,991. An attempt will be
made to reduce the tax. The total
Internal revenue for the next fiscal
rear is estimated at s2SO,OOO,OOO.