The New York herald., 1879-03-03
GENERAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.

WASHINGTON, March 2, 1870
FORTIFIED AND ADULTERATED WINES AND
LIoUoRs-How THE GOVERNMENT Is DE-
FuIHIsyED DY THE SENATE FINANCE COM
MITTEE.
Senator Jones, Of Nevada in behalf Of the Finance
Committee, has reported favoraby upon Senator sar
gont's resolutions directing the Secretary of State
and the Treasury TO collect and furnish to the Senate
certain classes of information concerning wines and
liquors, with view TO the protection of native pro-
ducts and possible changes in our system of tariff
taxation The report, after mentioning the fact that
the existing law makes distinction between natural
and fortified wines. says:-
Natural wines, which the products of simple
fermentation of grape Juice, according 10 the best
cent of absolute alcohol Those which contain hf-
teen per cent are rarely found. Tho natural wines
generally consumed contain loss than twelve per
cent Wines containing moro than thirteen pcs cent.
with few IL any exceptions the OF alc ohol
10 addition of distilled spirits.
The British aud French laws arc then referred 20
by tho committee TO show that in England and
France aicohozcd wines taxed for the excess of
alcohol added in fortiacaton. and the report con-
tfnucs:-
In France tho questions growing out OF tho forti-
hcasion OF wines have been numerous, and have
gngcd tho most serious attention OF the government
the hcnoemy or science and the medical profession.
The law throws every possible obstacle IN the way Of
tho practices, which hsd become common. OF adding
spirits to wine intended for consumption IN France.
but permits the unlimited fertilization Of wines for
expectation, the spirits alcohols used for such
purpose being freed from all taxation. The govern
fuent prohibits the mixture OF any foreign
alcohols with French wines except when such
mixture liz to be exported. Foreign wines
imported under tho conditions OF the general
tariff and containing moro than fourteen per OF al
coho must pay the duty alcohol for the quantity
in OF that limit.
comparative statement Of the strengths OF vino
imported would show to what extent spirits or alco-
hols have been added to them The committee IL In
formed that largo quantities OF white and rcd wines
imported. onc-llfth OF the volume Of which ia
proof Spirits in addition to tho natural strength of
the wine to which from ten TO twelve per cent of
absolute alcohol has been added. Such fortified wines
not exceeding in strength twenty per cent of al
coho admitted In wood at tho rate of duty of forty
cents per gallon. Tho addition of alcohol IL pcr-
mtted tree ot taxation by Franco and other foreign
countries where the wines are 60 he exported Tho
unitcd States tariff OF only forty conts per gallon
upon tho spirits thus contained in imported wines
operates therefore. to the great dsadv of pro-
ducers OF sweet American wines. sherrics &c, when
tho latter require To be fortified. because the Acri
can producer IL required to pay upon oil domestic
spirits the Internal Revenue rate OF tax of
ninety cents per proof gallon. being ff;y
the tariff on The spirits contained In the imported
industry encourages tho importation of q class of