The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-06
BREWERS CONGRESS-.

Ihe NIAI6 interests OF the Un1tcu Ssates-
Over One Hundred Millions OF Dollars
Capital Invested I'm Brewerics-Thc
Commissioner OF Internal Revenue Rep
resented.
The Chief Association OF the Brewers of the
United States are holding their twelfth annual Con-
gress at Robinson Hall, Forty-fth street, between
First and Second avenues The proceedings Will
extend over three days, during which business and
pleasure, as set forth by the programme will be
equally divided Yesterday over three hundred
delegates from the local associations throughout
the States were present, including both ale and
lager brewers.
The President Of the association, HENRY CLAUsEN,
opened the proceedings of the Congress with
an Introductory address, during which he referred
to the rapid increase OF the brewing interests OF
the United States the revenue OF which since 1868
had increased from $1,5OOOoO to s6,6OOOO0 in 1870
and $7,SOO,0O0 in 1871 with the prospect that the
brewers in the future will contribute a far larger
portion of the current expenses Of government.
There at the present time over 5000
breweres in the United States employing
capital Of over S100,000,000 and giving
employment to thousands of people The
trade encourages agriculture by consuming over
%, 900 bushels Of barley and 100000
pounds OF hops He claimed that the trade ought
to receive encouragement at the hands of the gov
i
ton it has occupied in every nation of the world
and alluded to the difficulties 1t had to contend
against In this country from local option laws and
temperance agitation; and he contended that malt
liquor was the true temperance beverage, being
the only medium between whskey and water In
nation of Horace Greeley for President as he had
always proved plant tool IN the hands OF temper
ance fanatics.
Mr.. FRED LAUER of Reading, Pa, president of the
Agitation Committee OF the Brewers Association.
then presented lengthy report, in which he re-
ferred to the proceedings of that committee dur
ing the past year, the principal item of which was
that they had induced the government to adopt
bill which they had drawn out TO alleviate many of
the grievances under which the brewers now labor.
Colonel GIBBONS District Attorney for the State
OF Iowa, then made some remarks. lie stated that
in the office Of the Commissioner OF In
ternal Revenue, In that department i'm
that period he had not personally met with one
OF fraud on the Internal Revenue bya brewer. They
were honest and their trade was just one, and If
more malt liquor was drank in his state Uowa)
than Is at present he would have less work to do as
District attorney.
The President then introduced to the Congress
Mr.. G. A. BATES from the ONCE OF the Internal Rev
enue, Washington. Mr.. Bates said Il am here in
pursuance OF your invitation and by order Of the
Commissioner OF Internal Revenue, to whose oflice
! have been attached for the last eight years, for
the purpose of learning your wants aud your
views concerning that branch of the public
service: also TO give Information of the official
construction placed upon the internal revenue
presents an opportunity for a friendly interchange
of views, and a means OF taking proper steps
towards securing perfect harmony between an
office OF the government and great national in
terest as represented by the brewing trade. He
glad TO meet so large body OF Saxons, hardy
Norsemen beer drinkers and the rulers of Europe
and America; uphoders Of truth and right, which
we must have, or in the language OF the
immortal beer drinker, Shakespeare, conscience
makes towards OF us all.n He was present
with the Commissioner OF internal Revenue when
n deputation of the brewers waited upon him, and
then heard the arguments In favor of certain
amendments TO the internal revenue laws relating
to brewing. The deputatien failed In obtaining the
modification they asked for the doing away of the
Commissioner granted all he could, but he could
not at that time grant them that, because Of dis
tillers and tobacco manufacturers. But the
brewers say let every class OF taxpayers stand upon
it's own merits. Because dstillers and tobacco
dealers have defrauded the revenue is no reason
why we should he subject to bonds DO not ask too
much and damage yourselves Iou have begun
wei. Let us take no backward step. ] say us,
for am with you, the Commissioner of Internal
Revenue IL with you, the President Is with you,
every patriotic citizen Is with yOn If you Will he
moderate and hold your course. There are some
who have not pursued proper course If you viii
your moral influence with your neighboTs and
your employees TO stop all frauds and do your best
to crush 1t out, as 1t IS sin against the community
as well as yourselves you will benefit your trade
merit the encouragement OF the government and
soon be free OF the bond altogether. The brewing
interest is receiving the attention OF the Office OF
the internal revenue that 1t has never received be-
fore. Last year Populations were sent. This wear
Commissioner Douglass sends myself, accustomed
will not be the last time shall address the princ
of the brewers of the United states