Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-11-27
WHISKY and TOBACCO.

We have no desire to detract from the
complete enjoyment of Thanksgiving Day
by even the slightest reference to the Grant
"boom," the Tilden "bar'l," the Bayard
''wave" OK Hendricks fence. The dsy is
too sacred for thought ON such ungodly
themes. We will, however, pay brief atten-
ton to the subject Of whisky and tobacco,
as illustrated by the annual report of Green
b. Ranm, commissioner of internal rev.
snue.
From the statistics given by the commits
sioner it is evident that our people are
learning to drink whisky faster than they are
learning to chew and smoke. The increase
in the production of spirits during the past
year over that proceeding it was Is, 789, 1858
gallons, representing 1,1O6, 299, 76O drinks of
the ordinary dimensions, while the increase
of manufactured tobacco was but little over
twelve millions of pounds, and
of cigars and cigarettes one hun
bred and ninety-four millions. It
is very apparent, therefore, notwithstanding
the earnest labors of tho GLOBE in behalf of
temperance, that people are drinking oftener
than heretofore. There has, however, been
decrease in the production of rye and corn
WHISTLES, and an increase of the article of
Bourbon, a clear indication that the Demo-
cratic party is making steady progress, with
every prospect of winning at the next Presi-
dental election.
The decrease of the revenue caused by the
reduction of the tax on tobacco amounts to
about seven millions. This is not % great a
decrease as was predicted by the opponents
Of the measure while it was pending in Con-
gress, but is sufficient to show that q mis-
take was made which ought to be repaired
at tho earliest possible date. Tho argument
used that high tax bears too severely upon
the tobacco producing and manufacturing
regions is fallacious, for while they pay the
tax in the first place, it ultimately comes out
Of the pockets of the consumers. These are
not complaining of the high taxes, for,
knowing that tobacco is luxury, they are
willing to pay for indulgence in it. 49,
The revenue from whisky has largely in
creased. This fact proves that the present
tax of ninety cents gallon is the most
profitable that can be imposed by the gov
eminent, and the statistics given will 60 far
towards defeating the effort, inaugurated at
the last session of Congress, to change the
tax to some other figure demanded BY the
rectifers and distillers. The increase is due
in some measure to the suppression of illicit
distillation, and to more rigid collection OF
the revenue, but primarily to the facts that
the present tax is ono that can be easily paid,
and that the risk of forfeiture is too great to
induce an attempt to evade it.
Our present tax upon tobacco can be profit
ably increased to the tax enforced previous
to the late reduction, and no meddling with
the tax on whisky should be tolerated
Everything is now in good working order,
and year by year the revenue resulting from
| it is increasing. To interfere with it now
would be to inaugurate an era of specula.
ton that cannot fail to DO disastrous both to
the trade and the government. Tinkerine
has heretofore been the bane of our revenue
system. Stability is what the people want
and the government needs. We trust tina,
Congress will not be 80 foolish as to attempt
changes that must inevitably prove in
;nriona -'~ f.-.. -.