Mr. SCOFIEL. I find in the Titusville Herald of April 9, 1866, a report signed by J. T. Sawyer and E. W. Matthews, 0.committee, so styling themselves, of the oil producers of western Pennsylvania. They state in that report that they came to Washington on the 12th of February, and remained here until the 24th of March, using their best endeavors to secure the repeal of the tax on crude petro leum. In another part of their report it is stated that they found on the part of the Representatives from western Pennsylvania entire indifference to the petroleum interest, and they conclude thus: “Thus it appearsthat the producersof p trolcum in Pennsylvania are not represented by m u from their own vicinity, not even by men from their own State.but they are almost exc usively dependentfor the protectionof their intercsts in Congressupon the courtesyof RepresentativesfromotherStates, among wtichuolmarlGyeneral James A. GARFl3LD, of Ohio, is or dese rvinx of the gratitude of every in ab itnnt of this sectionof conntry, since whatever prespectstheremay befor the reeal of this burdensome tax. theyare dueto his faith ul and persistentefforts and from presentappearancesheis theonly advocate of this measure through whom any relief may be expectedin the future.” I wish to say, in relation to this, that prior to the 12th day of February, whenfiis committee say they came here, upon consutation with the chairman of the ComWays&Means, I was informed that the entire tax upon crude petroleum would be removed by the committee. The chairman said thst that was his own opinion, and from his consultation with the other members of the committee he was sure that it would be agreed to. I never saw Mr. Matthews to my recollection, and Mr. Sawyer only once, and then he called me out during the session of the House. I gave him then the information which I had derived from the chairman of the ComWays&Means. I never saw him again, and as it was unnecessary for him to remain, I supposed he had gone home. This charge of neg igence against the Representatives of western Pennsylvania, (I can speak not only for myself, but my colleagues also) is entirely groundless. I have frequently consulted with them upon the subject, and all agreed in pressing the removal of the tax on crude etroleum. I wish now to ask the chairman of the ComWays&Means, who knows something of what I have done in relation to this subject, whether I have, either at this session or during the last Congress, neglected in any way the interest of the oil producers, and whether I have not on all occasions, in season and out of season, beset them to remove this tax on crude petro leum as well as reduce that on refined.