Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-01-29
Correspondents Of the Muscatsns Daily JournalJ
FROM WASHlNGTON.
The Whisky Question-Mr. GrinnsN takes a
Tut thereof and Fernando Wo0d-etc., etc.

FROM WASHINGTON.
The Whisky Question-Mr. G-innsH takes a
TILT thereat and Fernando Wood-etc., etc.
WASHINGTON CRY, Jan. %. 1864.
The whisky question always has been one
Of absorbing interest ever since the invention
Of that exhilerating fluid. 1t has been of
even unusual interest at this metropolis
lately, both as matter of fact and of law,
owing, OF course, to the holidays in one case,
and the discussions of the internal revenue
law in Congress in the other. It may be
safely said that the whisky tax" however it
may turn out, will be fully discussed. 1t
already has cast upon it food of light,
argument, eloquence and wit, and will be
still further illumined. no doubt, by innumer-
able dry discussions in all parts of the coun-
try.
Mr.. Grinrell, the honorable representative
from our Fourth District, took tilt at it and
Fernando Wood at the same time, a couple
days ago. He got off a tip-top speech
brief, but brimfull of humor, and telling hits
which brought down both House and galleries.
1t was by all odds the most palpable chit" Of
the session thus far, and made everybody
roar betimes, whether he agreed with the
speaker or no.
Mr.. Grinnell proposed an amendment to
the Internal Revenue law, fixing the tax on
whisky at $1.20 per gallon. In speaking to
this amendment, he claimed that whisky was
unnecessary and vicious in its tendencies,
and that, consequently, if men would drink
it, they might well enough be required to pay
dearly for it. He was perfectly willing that
members of his party, who drank whisky,
should pay we'll for that luxury, if it were to
them luxury certainly as beverage il
could not properly be classed among the
''necessaries of life" which ought to be taxed
as lightly as possible, or not at all, and the
required revenues made up from those articles
which are at best luxuries, but which, as the
Chairman of the Ways and MesEs insists as
to whisky, "men will have, at any price,"
81 can readily conceive" continued Mr.
Mr.. G., show natural it is for the gentleman
over the way Mr.. Fernando Wood to op.
pose this high tax on whisky. 1t may be
true, as was asserted by an eminent subterra.
mean Democrat of the city Of New York
whose name cannot recall, it was so many
years ago, that there corner groceries are the
indispensable nurseries of Democracy
Laughter. do not stand here to dispute
that assertion. believe that the corner gro
ceries of our cities are nurseries of Democra
cy; they are, at any rate, nurseries of a GER
tain kind of Democracy, and would like to
see them 81 ept from the face of the earth
Mr.. Grinnell then spoke in more serious
vein, and particularly of the injury brought
about in the army by the use of whisky
After while, he returned to Fernando, and
gave him broadsides after this fashion:
Yes, Mr.. Chairman, am really in ear.
nest in this matter. 1 would not care if the
constituents Of the gentleman from New York
Mr.. Fernando Wood never obtained anoth.
er drink of whisky. Laughter. If that
were to be the case, think that we would
soon have political reformation in his dis.
trict. daughter. would have his con-
stituents, when they stretch their necks for
drink tonight, stretch them long, knowing
that it would be their last villainous drink.
1t is true that a gentleman must make an ar
gument for his own constituents, and that the
gentleman from New York takes care of his.
But have no such friends to propitiate. l
know that it was said liquor was poured out
by the barrel against me in my district during
the last election. Thank God, have no de-.
sire to belong to party that cannot come
into power except upon whisky barrel
laughter believe that when whisky is
abolished morals will flourish. do not know
what will become of the gentleman's party
when whisky has been done away with, and
do not care"
The ex-mayor must have gone home fell
ing very much as though the bark had been
peeled off him. Mr.. Grinnell was heartily
congratulated by the Republican side of the
House.
The Message of Gov. Kirkwood and the
Inaugural of Gov. Stone were received here
last evening by many of the Iowa gentlemen,
your correspondent among the number.
have given than but rapid looking over as
yet, intending to 60 at them in good earnest
tonight l will vouch, however, beforehand,
for the patriotism and ability of both docu.
ments. -LINKENsALE.