The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-03-04
COL. BUNGsTiRTER IN DISTINCTION

During the Coloncls recent visit at tho
national capital. he was everywhere received
with marked distinction. Southern statesmen
WED with each other in treating him WE'LL and
often. He greatly cndcarcd himself to Western
members Of Congress by his large and liberal
views on public affairs. his earnest labors in the
cause of humanity and moro especially his
soundncss-on the whiskcy question.
Southern Senators speak Of him MS being head
and shoulders above Wlbcrforcc. and gaining
on that great phanthrOpist at every jump. The
immediate object of the Cooncl's visit to Wash
ington was to point out to Congress the small
amount Of whskcy now in the country, and to
urge upon our representatives, the necessity of
Immediate action. with the view OF avcrtng. IL
possible the threatened calamity of u whiskcy
famine Carefully collntcd statistics. taken by
the Colonel from the records OF the Internal
Revenue Office. show that on the 1st Of January
last the whole amount of x-paid spirits in the
hands OF wholesale dealers and rcctiilcrs
throughout the country amounted to about
100000 gallons Tho stock in the hands of
the 1jG 900 philanthropists who. us retail liquor
dealers. make SO many people happy by spread
ing JOY and whiskcy through the length and
breadth Of these United States is estimated at
not over lO.OOO.OOO gallons. The quantity in
bond is about l3,UOO.000. making an aggregate
Of only Al 100000 gallons Immediately avail
for the wants Of population estimated at
45.O00000. or less than one gallon per head.
The situation is very critical, the stock on hand
being less than at any previous period during
tho past decade while. as the Colonel pointed
out to Senators on the might Of the passage of
the Silver bill. the consumption has enormously
increased and Is steadily growing.
Since the assembling Of Congress. Washing
ton alone has increased its consumption Of all
grades Of whiskey at an average rate Of 55,372
gallons per day. Should the present session he.
rs il promises to be. prolonged one. nothing
short of the application Of Knely's new motor to
the production and manufacture Of whss"y
can (humanly spcakingl prevent u whiskcy
famine with all its attendant train Of suffering.
misery and want.
Col. Bungstartcr sat M all might on the occa-
sion of tho passage of the Silver bill. drinking
with every senator who asked him. and treat
ing the crowd himself ut short intervals. He
was greatly shocked ut much that he saw
While he. always regular in his habits took
thirty -nine drinks and then stopped. many
senators drank without method or limit, mix
ing champagne and whiskcy with IA reckless
ness which produced tho most unfortunate re-
suits.
When Don Cameron of Pennsylvania actuatcd
dered up champaign, ,. Col. Bungstaricr pointed
out to him tho great danger Of changing the
tipplc in the middle ofthc night. moro especial
~ to men brought up on whiskey His adj
monitons were OF no avail. More than one
Senator became totally united to discharge his
| Legislative duties. Col Bungstartcr was much
| panied and discouraged. \ Senator who had
| pledged himself to offer an amendment TO the
Silver bill authorizing and directing the coming
| Of corn into whiskcy at Government expense
| in quantities not less than five bushcls-bccamo
| hopelcssly drunk toward the end OF the session
| and was led from the Senate chamber by his
friends without having been able TO redeem his
| promise
Col. Bungstartcr believes there are only two
| modes Of avcrting the impending catastrophe
| OF a whiskcy famine which now hangs over tn is
country. The first is an immediate adjourn
| mcnt OF Congress sine die: the second is the
| passage OF law enabling every American
| tizen owning corn. rye. or any other suitabl,
| product Of agriculture TO take the same to q
national distillery where it will. at public eX.
| pcnse. be manufactured into whiskcy and re.
| turned to the owner. the cost Of trans portator
both ways being paid by the Government Al
| Congress will not now adjourn. the Colonel II
| actively pushing the latter measure.