The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1882-03-03

hOA@pO1 Logan ucto OCCuICu UlIC pas"
sage of his bill retiring General Grant.
He will now devote his attention to the
liquor bill. This bill, if it's passage is
secured, will be one of great Importance
to temperance and educational inter-
ests, and one that will have an import
ant bearing upon taxes, though not
affecting them so directly as might at
first be supposed. The bill provides
that all the revenues derived from tax
on the manufacture and sale Of dis
titled spirits shall be divided among
the states and territories exclusively
for educational purposes. Senator
Logan has prepared careful speech
fayoring the bill, and will use all his
powers to advancing the measure.
The effect of the bill will be to mate
rally alter the present mode of main
tanning the public schools. Careful
investigation of the school statistics
throughout the United States reveals
the fact that their annual expense does
not exceed 100000, which is just
about the amount Of the revenue on
distilled spirits for the present year
This revenue devoted to public educa-
ton would do then what we are now
enabled to do by direct tax that has
often been considered burdensome and
unjust, whether reasonably so consid-
cred or not. The success of the bill
will necessitate maintaining the pres
emit high rate of tax upon the class of
productions affected by the bill, instead
of reducing it, as has been talked of.
Any opposition to the bill which may
come from people to whom the idea of
maintaining public education by funds
derived from such a source presents
any obnoxious features will certainly
be short-sighted. The large amount
now derived from the net proceeds of
fines cannot be considered in any OBJ
noxious light. There are certain nee
essary evils in this world, and meas
ure which will turn the evils to as good
an account as possible will be regarded
as a great public benefit. If by any
possible contingency the liquor trade
shall be so reduced as to fail to give
the common schools necessary main
tenance, or shall disappear altogether
the old system of taxation is easily re
stored in whole or in part to meet the
requirements of the case. The reye-
nues that have heretofore been derived
from this source, having been used for
public and governmental purposes, will
make the United States treasury so
much the poorer, and this deficiency
will have to be met in some other way.
unless it be that, owing to the various
economical measures that have been
taken OF late, the government is now
in a position to spare this amount
without sensible loss. Senator Logan's
bill is one that will lead to vigorous
and complete review of the temperance
question in Congress, and will stir up
an active crusade. Viewed in its rela-
ton to public education, it is difficult
to see how it can have other than
hearty support form property holders.
Neither can it be very greatly opposed
by those interested in the liquor traffic,
as it simply diverts into other channels
the proceeds of the revenues collected
thence; the only point of objection be-
ing that it will not reduce present
taxes upon distilled spirits. The tenn
perance people may think that the bill
recognizes the whisky trade as per-
established and unalterable
fact, but this is not necessarily so. It
is a good bill, and ought to pass.