The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-05-18
BREWERS RESOLUTIONS.
Opposed to All Sumptuary Legislation, and
Want the Tariff on Malt Reduced.

DETROIT May 1.-THE following resolu-
lutions were adopted this morning at the
Brewers convention:
Resolved, That the founders of these States
ana their perpetual understandable union, while
they created State and Federal governments for
the proper and prudent dispatch of public busi-
ness, we're careful to guard that personal free
dom OF the citizen, which object all well organ
lied communities preserve; that the only limit
they placed to the action of the individual was
where it invaded the rights of any OF his peers,
and that, while the duty to the State forbid
ofenses against property and person and pun
ism attractions OF the laws, any and all attempts
to prescribe dress, food or drink, to regulate
private manners at the arbitrary will of the ma
1ontr, or MAKE men moral by mandate OF the
Legislature, are not onlyt futile of themselves,
mischievous IN their consequences, and leading
tyranny on one side and contempt of law on the
other, but they are beyond the scope of power
OF any government established by the people.
Resolved, That the propriety of the manu-
tacture OF malt liquors, or drink food, recognized
as heaithfu1 needfui, by the instincts of the hui
man race and habits of temperate men, and
whose consumption for centuries has been CON
tlnnous along with the growth, prosperity and
progress OF the most civilized and enlightened
people, has passed beyond honest, intelligent
controversy. and is only denied by idiots and
fanatics. That we, as brewers, have the same
rights, neither more nor less, as any body of men
engaged In necessary beneficial industry, and
tnat we shall Deaceably. firmly, under the law
and by lawful means, defend those rights, and in
that defense we confidently usK the aid and
operation OF all honest citizens interested in the
hldlillcHaHce OF ROOu Oruer, Lne preservation OF
rights OF property and freedom of person, and
IN the free enjoyment of any innocent pleasure
that does not infringe upon the rights of others.
Resolved That in the future, as in the past,
we shall not assume TO influence or avert legis-
latlon by corrupt and degrading METHODS
shall we beg ror buy justice, and, relying upon
the merits of our cause, shall submit the cues
tion of sumptuary laws TO the calm determine
tion OF the people. But we know of no code of
political ethics which forces us TO sit in tame in
action While our rights as citizens are invaded
ana our property contscatrd, and therefore,
when any political party, protesting devotion to
tine policy OF administration for the benefit of all,
sinai! be for the support of a band of zeaOts by
supporting a law dictating to men their food and
drink, and degrading them by placing their pri-
vate conduct under't the control of others, we
shall sever our accustomed political ties, and
actively aud earnestly support equitable
we call upon all those in our craft
not yet already affiliated to join with US, form
local associations in connection with ours, and
ald us In the dissemination OF official facts and
legitimate arguments, go that the great mass of
the people who have no selfish interest to serve
on the one side nor fanatical impulse on the
other may decide this controversy under the
hight OF Impartial Judgment and cool common
sense
Resolved, That we respectfully urge upon
Congress, at the coming session, the proprety OF
reducing the tax on malt liquors at least half
the present amount, and We base the request up
on these TWO notable facts: First, the revenue Of
the country being largely In excess of needful ex-
penditure of government, burdens upoa all prO-
dnctive industry should be prOpOrtionaly dimin--
lshed. Second, 1t is sound public policy and in
the interest of temperance and good order that
malt liquors. the least stmulant and most nu-
tritive of all the alcoholic drinks consumed by
man, should have their consumption preferably
encouraged by lessening the tax upon them,
thereby reducing the eoe5 of their manufacture.
Resolved, That the increase of duty upon
glass bottles used in our business is oppressive
TO the consumer, veXatiOus TO the trade, and un-
called for by any special industry Even II
special legislation was q wise expedieDt, we call
upon the representatives in Congress who are
anxious TO leglslate for the general interest to
nave the duty reduced to the former rate"
The finance committees report shows re-
ceipts during the year of 49, 260, which, with
the balance on hand at the date of the last
report, makes a total of $32, 748 The ex-
penditures show $3.50 for agitators' travelling
expenses, SO, 900 attorney and secretary sal
aries, $3,34S for entertainment of the delega-
ton to Washington, $500 for Kansas brewers,
$Z,OO0 for Michigan brewers, s., 900 for Indi-
ana, S., 900 for Iowa, 81, 600 for publications,
with sundry smaller items, leaving the bal
ance on hand 1904.
The committee on restrictive legislation
recommend employing Senator Vest of
Missouri, at an expense of 50 500. to plead a
test case from Kansas under the prohibitory
law; also an appropriation of $1,000 was
voted to assist the Maryland brewers in their
contests. A resolution was adopted recon-
mending the fixing of the hop tax at seven
cents per pound.
The committee on nominations reported
as follows: President, Herman B. Schar-
mann, of Brooklyn; presidents, Henry
Clausin, of New York and Charles G. Stifel,
of st. Louis; treasurer, William A. Miles, of
New York; secretary, Richard Katzenmayer,
of New York. The only changes in the
board of trustees were the selection of the
names OF Jacob Conrad, of Philapelphia ard
Emil Schardeid, of Milwaukee. L. w.
Voigt, of Detroit was made member of the
committee of vigilance