Mr. FOWLER. On page 1, line ten of section one, I move to strike out “five” and insert “three;” so as to read: On coffee of all kinds, 3 centsper pound. This is an amendment that concerns 9 10thsof the people of the U.S., those classes who are expected to pay all the taxes. Our taxes, not only those under the internalrevenue system, but the impost duties, must be finally collected off the labor of the country. The Present tax on coffee is 5 cents a pound, which is about 50%. I think it is very high; but if that rate were necessary for the payment of the interest on the debt of the country I should not object to it. I have supported all the duties that have been levied on different articles, although our people are consumers, because I believe it is necessary to enable us to pay the interest on the debt of the Government; but I do not think it wise or prudent that the Government should collect more revenue than is necessary for the purpose of discharging its obligations. Last year we collected about 179 million dollars from customs duties, much more than was necessary for the purpose I have stated. The SecyTreasury estimates that for the next fiscal year we shall require over 133 million dollars to pay the interest on our debt, and for foreign intercourse about 1300,000 dollars, making about 135 million dollars in gold. I suppose this tariff will yield as much revenue as the existing one, and the SecyTreasury estimates that the existing one for the Present fiscal year will raise $145,000,000; thus making at least $10,000,000 more than is necessary for the gold wants of the Government. This proposed diminution of the tax on coffee will leave the rate%. about 30%., and will diminish the revenue about 2 million dollars; not more than that. I think this reduction can very easily be made without interfering with the wants of the Government; and it will relieve a very large portion of the community; as I said before, the very portion of the community who are expected to pay all the taxes, those men who supply the revenues of the Government by their own labor.