New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-12-09
THE TAX ON wuIsNy.

We hear from Washington tina, powerful
organization of the whisky interests OF Chicago,
Cincinnati, and other Western cities, has been
made to lobby down the excise on distilled
spirits, at TIE present session Of Congress This
is the last session OF the XXXVIIIth Congress,
with whose political life expires the public LIE
of many OF It's members. The time is opportune
70. private legislation that violates public policy.
We cWinot be in doubt MS 10 the spirit and the
ygor OF the attack that is 20 he made upon the
most important part OF the lntornal Revenue
policy OF the Government. The warfare on the
tax on distilled spirits at the last session. i'm
perfectly organized as il was and but partially
equipped, and waeed just upon the edge Of the
periodic nominations and elections that were TO
return or throw out TIE members of the House.
ioreshalows 10 US the character Of the Disillers'
Fight that is TO be wedgeG into The legislation to
save the nation.
orr view Of tho policy Of leaving the tax on
WHISKY undisturbed, unless 10 increase il, and
OF tic general policy OF raising revenue
from Intoxicating drinks, comedies with that
ii the Government. We understand that the
Treasury has adopted tho recommendations OF
The Internal Revenue Bureau upon both OF
these points. Commissioner LEWIS says in his
Report:
"Scme ,te,on las hseu entertained ina, Con.
grcss might during the ensuing session reduce the
tax On spirits. Tins. together With ~ apprehension
tina, the stock hand may De subjected duty now
exercising an unflgOr0bc Influence On production
Consumption hOsc,s proceeds u. ito accustomed rate.
Ia the City Ot New York alone nCcorun to the state.
meats 81 large dealers. sit huEdred barrels con.
SUM daily SnndDyr not excepted IheSe statements
may -xnggcrlie the truth. However that may he II -
certain that hitbcr supply ",l soon be needed 10
meet the demand and The lrrryOcable laws o trade III
compel the resumption 81 Oscillation II these engaged
III tie m9nuacurc and s. q" sV,fits were satsfed If
tho truanency ot the law imposing taxes. and tl The
uaIicL Ronh not be gusoi;cd by tbs agitation OF ;he
sItfr 10 Congress, TIE business womb soon md ITO
proper channels and become accommodated 10 the bur
dens cast ppor IT, II IL important alike to the interests
Of tie Government and ~ the people that frequent
changes IN legislation, affecting the prlces Of
ton should II possible he avoided. This observa.
ton which applies indeed M less foce Ia dispeGsabio
Injuries tl0n absolute necessarcs. IN certain true rs
70 commodity the Moo oi which ~ beverage in some
form or other has become vel! nigh universal largo
an tint Of capital is invested in It's production and the
trade domestic and foreign OF which is the subject
and the regular and steady employment Of that capital
accfIes to the benefit Of the county. while unsettled
aud variable excise invites speculation. and creates
irregular ovements In business demoralzng To the
community Oftradcs and I'M uyior, to The general veal
duty not imposed at once instead OF being made TO
take effect at different periods for the Involvement 70
acounla ate stock IN await the operation OF fhe aidi'
tional tar tcks collected sn;r the frat " feori""