The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-02-15
THE WHISKY TAX - THE VEST
- MADE TO SUPPORT THE GOV-
EREMENT-FRIEB ON THE
IMllLM =

| THE WHlSAY TAX - THE WES1
MADE TO SUPPORT THE GOV
EREMENT-FRIEB ON THE
1NOOME TAX.
All the great whisky manufacturers
and dealers of the city have lately been
interviewed with regard to the contem-
plated increase Of the whisky tax. They
unanimously denounce it as unjust to
the producing interest, and unwise, to
the last degree, In a financial point of
view. They show very clearly how the
proposed Is cents additional tax on whis-
ky already manufactured would injure
those who hold it in the way Of trade.
For example, all contracts to deliver
whisky at the present market price would
result In clear loss Of Is cents per gal
Ion should the increase re made to at
tach previous to the delivery on the
contract.
There is one. thing, however, which
they do not speak Of, and concerning
which no one OF the wise editors alluded
to in the interviews; and that relates to
the effect OF the increase OF the tax on
whisky on hand and unsold. Would it
not amount to clear extra profit Of 10
cents per gallon to the owneri Messrs.
Freiberg and Workum have 1900 bar
rels, 640, 900 gallons, on hand. Do their
contracts Of sale cover half this guam
tityP III not, would they not make more
by the increase tax than they would
rosei So with all the rest Of them. This
consideration very much modifies the in
justice Of the tax in this point Of view.
Still, while the tax seems to the interest
Of those who have large quantities ON
hand they are all bitterly opposed to 1t;
so that selflshness could not be the mo-
tive Of their hostility so far as whisky on
hand is concerned.
But it is proposed. to add so cents to
the 70 cents now assessed on all whisky
hereafter produced. All Of them are op-
posed to this, though David Gibson says
that Congress is bound to make the in
crease because more revenue is wanted.
lie thinks, however, that little tax on
beer and ale would be more judicious
than an increase on whisky. While we
are opposed to the increase on whisky,
we are in favor OF free beer and ale.
We prefer TO encourage the use of the
lighter beverages, and since, as Mr.. Glib
son says, taxation does not diminish the
use Of such beverages, we are in favor
of saving as much of the wages Of the
poor to their families as possible.
We concur with all the dealers in hold.
ing that less revenue would be obtained
at 81 per gallon than at 10 cents; and we
almost agree with Mr.. Freiberg, that
more revenue would be collected at 80
cents per gallon than at 10 cents. The
saes:isn is one Of honesty as well as of
revenue. Rascality 10 according to the
temptation, and we are glad to find our
respectable dealers anxious to place the
business on an honest foundation. Un-
DER too high an excise, those who value
their character above the greenback
level would be compelled to withdraw
from the business, and leave it all
to scOundrels with whom the Govern
ment would have jolly time In collect
ing revenue beyond the costs Of espiom-
age, detection, and prosecution. There
is not so much venal turpitude in the
bare making and selling OF contraband
whisky when the duty is unjustly high.
The Government is wrong as Veil as the
Illicit distiller. But there is an endless
turpitude in the sneaking character OF IL
licit business and III. the lies and peTju-
ries which it involves. To make law
breaking sin the law must be just. Let
statesmen understand that.
Mr.. Gibson said that the increased tax
would only diminish the quantity pro-
duced for manufacturing and mechani-
cal purposes. We would add that it
would diminish it as beverage SO far as
1t affords an inducement to get up vile
deooctions which are muoh more hurt
full than honest whisky.
BY 90 much, therefore, the corn pro-
.ducing district Of the-West would be In
jured by the increased tax, and it is pro-
per for even temperance men to protest
against the increase on this account. 1t
seems as If the East we're determined to
make the West furnish the larger part Of
the public revenue; while at the same.
time the East has made her immense for
tunes out OF the West.
@r This brings us to the scrap of gen.
uine wisdom which Mr. FreiBerg deliv-
cred. AS to the deficiency Of revenue be
said:
~ would prefer, and believe every
body else would prefer, the revival Of the
income tax with a good large exemp.
tion."
This is the just mode Of raising rev.
enue. II is just because it draws from
those who are able to pay. With the
"good large exemption" all income men
are able to pay an excise on incomes
varying from 2l1 to 20 per cent. This
8 T.,