The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-11-20
WHISKY.
Is Philadelphia the Sodom of Americat

To the Editor of The Evening Telegraph.
Philadelphia has achieved such an enenvia ble
notoIiety lately by of its whisky frauds and
as our exchanges take such particular delight in
reading us moral essays on the subject that we have
been led seriously to ask the question at the head of
We confess that we have read with pardonable
sort of satisfaction the whole pages Of criminal
calendar that adorn the pages of our New York and
western contemporaries, and we iregiously i be-
Philadelphia would not be selected as the modern
Sodom. Many frauds and crimes can be laid at the
door of whisky but we are not one of those who be-
lieve that the internal deity who presides Illicit
dstillation has his sole headquarters in Philadelphia
Onenses against the law always exist IN proportion
to the depravty of public morals and if this be true
and who can doubt it?-we are undoubtedly not the
first on the list OF cities.
Our observation has brought to believe that the
many cases of newspaper report concerning whisky
men have mainly been the result OF technical viola
tions, which the many and conflicting character OF
the regulations on the subject render it impossible
the scapegoat of the country while the cities of the
West are passed unnCticed. We will not stop to in
qure why this is only know that 1t is the fact.
Frauds do not contne themselves to whisky,
but are. general. II the amount realized
by the Government from whisky forIeitures IS any
evidence of the extent of its frauds, it certainly
speaks bad for the great mass of other taxpayers.
Since the inception OF the excise law he Treasury
has realized from its investigation u income re-
turns five times and from manufacturers returns
(other than whisky fifty times the amount il has
from whisky forfeitures, and we challenge denial OF
our statement. 1t may be asked that If the frauds
on distilled spirits are as one to five against incomes,
and one to fifty against other manufacturing inte
acquainted with the facts? the reasons are that
while special revenue officials are appointed at large
salaries and enormous perquIsites in shape of mole
ties, to take charge OF whisky, our local Officers at
tend to the other with the results stated While
home officials actuated by desire to faithfully
enforce the law, their actions are not biased by
greed for share OF the penalties II a taxpayer,
other than whisky man, is suspected, careful and
private examination is make, and If an understate-
ment exists the tax is promptly assessed and col
lected, and that without needless expense and litga
tion. Be 1t a distler or liquor dealer on the nim-
sest OF excuses his place is sezed the conspiratOrs
trusting that the possession of his business accounts
will give them SUFFICIENT data to make up case. II
they fail in this they then prefer criminal charges
against the unfortunate wretch, to drive him either
to confess Judgment, or TO compromise with the GOV
ernment by the payment of sum of money. The
charge is then abandoned, and the mercenary detec
tive claims and receives one-haf This is no Idle c-
tion, as many reader OF this will testify. or the
many arrests made, consequent upon whisky SCI
zures, how many have been tried?
This crusade is not conducted against open viola
tors OF the law, of whom we viii speak hereafter
but against the licensed grain dstillers ana esta-
blished dealers who have capital at stake and can
afford to pay.
Is the revenue benefited by whisky detective
force? We feel safe in asserting that the money
realized by the Government solely through the
agency of this class OF detectives mas not paid Tor
In the Fifth collection District, around the Rich
mond coal wharves, IS really where the whisky can
Ger is located Frauds there committed in open
defiance of law, and without an attempt at conceal
ment Molasses is the material used, being easier
haudled and requiring no great out 0nsay OF money
and abetit Why? Because there Is no money in
it, and where there are no moiees there are no de-
| tectiyes. But why do detectives abet it? All!
| hereby hangs tale. The Richmond cOntrabandist,
after supplying local wants. starts for business cen
tres to pedde his surplus. Thls Is the opportunity
| MIR Detective has been waiting for. He seizes the
whisky of course? Not bit of it. He follows the
wagon it is in until it stops opposite some RESPONSE
bic dealers store when presto the store seized.
| How long, oh Lord, how long? ''t
Philadelphia, November 20, 1869.