WASHINGTON, March 28.
SENATE. – Mr. Clark said that according to the pamphlet the Stevens guns were exposed, as were also the gunners. He (Clark) desired some one to tell him how the guns or gunners were to be protected. According to the pamphlet the gunner must dodge the balls in safety. Let Stevens furnish a battery as Ericsson did, and then if it proves satisfactory, the Government will pay him for it.
Mr. Wade was in favor of trying the experiment. He wanted to form a navy on the best basis. He knew the experiment was a costly one, but it would not cost near as much as the experiments we are trying with an immense army, which seems to be trying to conquer the enemy without moving. After a further discussion, a vote was taken on Mr. Sherman’s amendment that Mr. Stevens should not be paid, nor the money be expended, unless the vessel was successful. Agreed to- 24 to 18.
Mr. Collamer offered an amendment that the money be not expended unless the Secretary of the Navy should be of the opinion that it will secure to the public service an efficient steam battery. Agreed to – 20 to 19.
The amendment as thus amended was adopted – 26 to 10.
Mr. Hale offered an amendment appropriating $13,000,000 to enable the Secretary of the Navy to construct iron-clad vessels. Adopted.
Mr. Hale offered an amendment appropriating $250,000 for casting heavy ordnance at the Washington navy yard. Adopted.
The bill passed, and the Senate adjourned till Monday.
HOUSE.
Coal oil resulting from the manufacture of illuminating gas, or its re-distillation, is to be exempt from duty. The tax of five cents per gallon on crude coal oil, or tar or bituminous substances, used for like purposes, and on crude petroleum and rock oil was stricken out. Oil refined and produced by redistillation of coal exclusively, to be subjected to a duty of 8 cents per gallon. Spirits rectified and mixed with other materials or prepared in any other way to be sold as whiskey, will pay a tax of 15 cents per gallon; and when it is sold as brandy, gin, wine or by any other name, it shall pay 30 cents per gallon on the basis of first proof, and so on in proportion for any greater strength. The tax of five cents on vinegar, from materials other than cider or wine, were stricken out. The tax on ground coffee, and all preparations of which coffee forms a part, or which is prepared for sale as a substitute for coffee in reduced form, three mills to one cent per pound. Ground mustard and sugar are taxed one cent per pound.
The committee struck out the tax of three cents per pound on tobacco, leaf or stem unmanufactured, and increased the tax from five to ten cents per pound on Cavendish, plug, twist and manufactured of all descriptions, not including, snuff, cigars or smoking tobacco. The committee increased the tax on prepared smoking tobacco to five cents on snuff, or tobacco ground, dry or damp, of all descriptions; except aromatic or medical snuff, to eight cents per lb. – The tax on cigars remains as originally reported. Gunpowder and all explosive substances used for mining, blasting, artillery or sporting purposes, valued at not exceeding 18 cents per lb., to pay a tax of 5 mills; mot exceeding in value 10 cents, to pay a tax of one cent per lb.; and when valued at over 30 cents, to pay a tax of six cents per lb. Oxide of zinc and sulphate of borax to pay a tax per lb. of twenty-five cents on the former and ten on the latter. The clause in regard to printing ink and all other descriptions of ink, fixing the tax at three per cent. ad valorem, was stricken out. Corn brooms, wooden pails and buckets, straw, palm-leaf and grass hats, caps and bonnets; hats and caps of fur, felt or wool, glazed, India-rubber, or silk; wholly or in part; steel hoops and skirts of metal or other material; to pay a tax of three cents ad valorem.
Amendments were made fixing the tax on ready made clothing at three per cent. ad valorem, and umbrellas and parasols at five per cent. The tax on iron was fixed at one hundred and fifty to two hundred per ton, according to its condition of manufacture. The committee rose and the House adjourned.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, March 31, 1862, p. 1
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