The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-03-15

whisky to three years instead Of one year,
rs now provided by law; in other words,
It was 10 give to alcoholic spirits manu-.
factured In this country the same priv.
leges that are given to liquors imported
from Europe and put In bonded ware.
houses.
Mr.. Conger said this resolution was an
old acquaintance; its face was familiar
to him and the House; II had been there
before; its principal claim at that time
waa that the expectation OF change In
the tar on distilled spirits wholly disar-
ranged business and threatened with loss
and bankruptcy thnse engaged in the
business. That claim had been promptly
met by the adoption Of resolution that
It was the solemn judgment Of the House
that it was inexpedient to change the tax
on whisky. Now, under the stimulating
power Of four years, the House was
asked 10 extend the time Tor paying
the tar. We were informed on the other
aide OF the House that the Treasury
needed all the revenue 1t could get, and
that the expenditures must be cut down
In all departments Of the government. II
that were 80, how could the government
afford TO postpone for three years the col.
lection ofthe tax ondistilIed spirits {? He
would leave, it to the gentlemen whose
districts were threatened with bankruptcy
by the tariff bill being concarted in se-,
cret, in corner OF the capital, BY com.
mittee which forbade approach and kept
out all information. The manufacturers
OF whisky seemed to think that there was
4 marvellous tendency TO favor whisky
in the House. Laughter. There seemed
to be an opinion that II was safe to ap-
peal to Congress In favor Of whisky In
ierests and 10 destroy all other interests.
Mr.. Butler said be Understood the bill
thoroughly, and was quite ready to agree
to It's general object, as matter OF relied,
that was TO lend ut 5 per cent for two
years an amount OF money equal to the
tax on whisky. The government could
borrow money at 4 per cent, and this
would be gain Of ! per cent. That was
all there was in It, but he was opposed to
anything that looked like fayotlng specu-
lation. II the promoters OF the measure
did not mean that, they would agree 70 an
amendment which he proposed to offer to
the Sd section, that amendment was pro-
yiding the tar or duty 10 be paid on all
distilled spirits when the same are with.
drawn, shall be the amount of tax which
would have been paid II paid when such
distilled spirits were put in bond.
Mr.. Sayier said that that was provided
for in the resolutions He had no objec-
tion to 1t except that 1t was mere sur
plusage.
Mr.. Butler-well, If you admit that
amendment, / withdraw all objections to
the resolution.
Mr.. Lapham regarded the measure as
proposition TO lend to the distillers for
two years at 5 per cent the vast revenues
which they pay to the Treasury, and that,
loo, at period when the revenues were
diminishing, when the House was told
that il will be difficult to balance the
books at the end Of the year, and when
the gentlemen on the other side were
crying, q Economy Economyl Reform
Reformw Such proposition could not
have his approval.
Mr.. Fort feared the object Of the bill
was to give time for the whisky men TO
obtain q reduction in the tax.
Mr.. Harrison opposed the bill, not
only "a being class legislation, but as be.
ing in favor Of certain clasa OF the
whisky interest, not the whole interest
It was for the benefit OF that whisky
which improved by age. The kind Of
whisky which brought an immense reye-
nue. into the treasury would not receive
the slightest benefit from 1t.
Mr.. Burchard supported the bill. II
did not endanger the revenue OF the coun.
try. Il was not SO much in the interest
Of the distiller as OF the revenue. /
Mr.. Fort supporte d the bill, he denied
that It would reduce the revenue because
the revenue came not from the amounts |
put into bond, but from the consump-
tion. Il might cause . temporary
reduction, but in the end all tax would
be received.
The general debate closed, the bill was
then read by sections for the amendments.
Mr. Conger moved to make the interest
Z per cent ins,e I'D Of 5, Rejected.
The Committee then rose and reported
the bill and amendments.
The amendments were agreed TO and
then the bill was passed. Yeas IFS, nays
1l6.
Mr.. Sayler then moved to reconsider
the vote BY which the bill was passed and
moved to lay that motion on the table, 10
which Mr.. Conger, owing to the close.
ness Of the vote called for the yeas and
nays which were ordered and resulted.
Yeas l22, nays l05. So the motion TO
reconsider was laid on the table.
Mr.. Springer called up the report OF
the committee on elections on the Mas.
sachusetta contested election case the re.
port OF the majority being that Dean,
contestant, is entitled to the seat and that
Of the minority being in favor Of Field as
the sitting member. After the opening
speech by Mr.. Springer; the House ad-
iourned.