Every Government finds by practice the system of legislation and administration best adapted to its own wants.
While ministerial power and a trained following, such as obtain in England, may possess advantages under the circumstances existing in the British Empire, it is the settled judgment of this country that a perfectly free discussion, enlightened but not restrained by departmental recommendation or by dictation of committees, is best adapted to the varied and conflicting wants of the whole people.

And this was never better illustrated than in the financial bill whose important provisions have been under consideration.
The revenue laws received careful attention during this session.

The chief measure was the Act of July 13, 1866.

It came before the House with the assurance from the Ways and Means Committee that it would steadily and materially reduce internal taxes.

The system of internal revenue which had been so elaborately and intelligently constructed for war purposes, yielded $310,906,984 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1866.