Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-05-05
WASHINGTON LETTER.
,De.isI oorrs,pop5snes Public LEDeER.

44ls NI0AA hA4nf Il Shall hON COY AAuNh
about the amendment, and perhaps l
ought not to speak on this subject at
all, as | never made any whisky,
never stored any, and never drank
any. Laughter, and cries of That's
too thinl"] l cannot, therefore claim to
be an expert, or,one having knowledge
whereof he speaks. Forming my opin-
ion from frequent declarations of my
republican friends, | had concluded,
before the commencement of the dis
cussion which has been had upon this
bill, that the subject of whisky was
peculiarly under the charge
of the democratic party, that
they alone possessed any information
concerning it, that the other side held
it in such adherence they could
scarcely bring themselves to even
mention the unclean thing. But it
must be admitted, l think, that re-
publican gentlemen have in the dis
cussion evinced an acquaintance with
the subject so thorough and intimate
that it could hardly have been ac-
quired otherwise than by the closest
relations and most frequent actual
contact. Laughter and applause.
Either this or our American politi-
clans and representatives are the most
remarkable to be found in any country
in the world, for their marvellous YER
s~atility of talent, extent and diversity
ofintormation upon all subjects and
their aptitude for its sudden require
ment.
The big-brained and accomplished
orator from Ohio (Mr. Garfeldj never
discussed a ponderous question Of
statecratt or measure Of party policy
with more case and hueney than be
did the tax on whisky laughter, dis
playing a thorough acquaintance with
all the different varieties Of the ar
ticle, the methods of their manufac-
ture and means of Improvement.
Laughter While theveteran states
man from Pennsylvania Mr.. Kelly
never spoke more eloquently and ex-
haustibly upon his favorite themes Of
protection and finance than he has
upon the matter of whisky distillation
and the proper method of subjecting
it to government taxation. Laugh
ter. And my good-natured friend,
the gentleman from Michigan (Mr.
Conger), manifested the same erudi-
ton and good feeling which he dis
plays in the discussion of all other
questions. Laughter.
The only fault | find with his treat
ment of the question is that he does
not seem to appreciate the importance
Of improving WHISTLES either by age or
the mechanical agencies so familiar to
the gentlemen from Ohio, [Mr. Gar
field. In fact, he manifests a total
Indifference as to whether the whisky
is good or bad; but perhapst the quality
of the Michigan article may have
something to do with this. Laughter. |
Learned as all these gentlemen are
upon the subject it is only natural
that very wide differences of opinion
should exist between them in respect
to it, for it would be scarcely possible
for SO much whisky learning to flow
smoothly il TIE same channel.
Laughter
l am in favor Of this bill and anxious
for its passage, because l believe that
its provisions are just and fair. both to
the government and every class of
dealers. 1t is an important interest
in the city where | live. and many of
my most reputable and respectable
constituents have invested large capt.
tai in the business. l I'm not sur.
prised, however, that it should meet
with opposition from various quarters
and upon various grounds, but the
blow dealt it by my junior colleague
Mr.. Simonton is the cruelest and
%unkindest Of all. He says he wants
the consumers to pay the tax. That
certainly is in the main the proper
method of a%pportioning taxation, but
does not my friend know if it were
done in this case, at his suggestion, he
would be imposing a most oppressive
burden upon his own people? Does
ne not know that there is less tax paid
and more whisky drank in his district
to the square mile han in any other
similar-sized territory in the United
States? Laughter. At least pc
other locality having these character.
istics in an equal degree can be found
upon any standard map with which
am acquainted. Laughter.
Now, | dislike to tell it, but | be.
lieve it is susceptible of proof that a
large majority Of my colleagues con.
stituents have not allowed an hour o.
daylight to pass since they were three
years old without testing the aualit,
Of some character of e~xhilaratipI
liquid, Lgreat laughter, and that theJ
never had a drink of good whisky ex.
cePt when they came to Memphis Il
be tried for violation of the revonu,
law or upon some other business
Laughter.
protest, therefore, against this on.
slaught made by my colleague upon a
large and profitable business in whicl
so many Of my constituents are en-
gagged, as the only particular Interest
which his district has in the subiecI
is the amount Of whisky which hi,
constituents drink, and the ouantit,
manufactured in a few moonshine dis
tilleries. Laughter | hope. there
fore, my colleague will change Nh
mind and support the bill SO that W,
may make good whisky, BY keeping !
in store for a while, out of the moon
shine product cfhis district. Laugh
ter.
i, Now, Mr.. Chairman, as l have sal,
before, | am in favor Of this bin be
cause | believe it is as fair and inst
one as can be devised to protect I'll.
interests Of the government as we'll q
that of those who are engaged !,