Mr. STEVENS. I rise to oppose the amendment to the amendment. Mr. Chairman, Ibe lieve that 2 years hence this country will be in a very different condition from what is now anticipated by many gentlemen who look at things as they are now and have been for the last year. My opinion is that 2 years hence the internal taxation, instead of amounting annually to 3 or 400 million dollars, will not exceed $200,000,000; and our revenue from foreign importations, instead of being $160,000000 perannum, will not exceed $80,000,000. I believe that the whole business of this country, now inflated in every sense of the word, must come into anarrower compass, and must necessarily pay largely less upon all the articles of taxation. While I believe that our revenue from internal taxation and from duties on imports will be reduced at least 1/3rd, I do not erceive I wish I could that we have reac ed the maximum of our debt. I belieVe that nearly a billion dollars is yet to be broughtinto the account which this Government will be obliged to settle. I have no doubt that by the time 5 years shall have rolled around this government will be aying an interest upon $4,000,000,000. et this must be done with adiminished revenue. Now, how is that to be done? We all know the claims that are coming 11 to Congress honest claims, too; claims which this Government must finally meet, as the consequence of the great war which was forced upon us; claims of loyal men from all sections of the country. Those who have looked into this question cannot fail to see that the justice of the country must finally allow many of these claims. Hence they are to be taken into consideration in estimating the obligations which the Government will hereafter be called upon to meet. gentlemen do not regard this question with alarm. They say this country is able to pay all its obligations. But how will you pay them when you reduce the sources of revenue? How will you be able to pay the public debt if you cut down the very articles on which the money is raised to pay it? My friend thinks a reduction of 4 or 5 millions on a single item is hardly of any account. You have cut down the reVeniie 5 millions on coffee, and it is now proposed to cut it down 5 millions on tea, making ten millions in all. I am told it is a reduction of something like ten or 12 millions on both articles. Now where will you go to make up this deficit?‘ What item will bear it in addition to the tax already imposed? Besides, sir, I think the great advantage derived from the operation of this tariff is to preclude excessive importation now ruining this country. These importations have inflated the price of every thing in the country. [Here the hammer fell.