The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1883-01-18
RnRBING EVEN THE SICK

drug stores of the country 1t would be su-
perfuous TO call attention to the costumes
thereof. 1t would seem that disease were
affection enough. but another, equally as
disagreeable, feature connected with the
matter or misfortune, especially to the
poor, is the price paid for prescriptions
The retail druggists, however, are not the
really responsible parties. The fault lies
behind them-with the manufacturers and
importers-and through their influence. the
legislators who impose duties and restric-
tons upon the commonest used medicines.
Ii there is any article that should be freely
brought into the country, provided such
free importation would reduce its cost to
the consumer, it is certainly a standard
and commonly used medicine. The greater
the use Of the remedy by the medical
profession the greater the reason for cheap
ening its cost in the interest Of the poor and
even humanity generally. 1t is doubtful il
there is any other known remedy of equal
efficacy In all "the sad variety of pain" to
which the race is heir to as qunine, and yet
it sells at very high figure, so high. in
deed, that the poorer classes, who most
need 1t, are unable, often in cases of the ut.
most necessity, to procure it., With this as
u fact, the heartless protectionists are at
tempting to place tariff upon its importa'
ton that will keep the figures at which il
rctais at the highest notch. From repu.
tarle and experienced druggist in this city
We learn that this famous, eilicacoul
and extremely common remedy with
out the imposition of tariff upon
its importation could be bought
at RETAIL as it has been fol-
twelve months past from $l.75 to So. 80 pei
ounce. When the duty was on, the pric,
ranged from $3.50 to 81 per ounce. With
the duty off, it sold for cent per grain
put on the duty and we must pay . cent.
per grain. These figures make n vast diff
ference in the aggregate, but u great dea
vaster difference to the people of no moans
whom the hand of sickness falls upon
This same authority tells us that the lower
and poorer classes buy three-iourths of al
the quinine that is sold and as a conse
quence, the burden and iniqutous extor
ton imposed in the interest of wealthy
manufacturers and wholesale men, they
indeed, who have already made mil lion.
upon millions of money off this one article
and who could easily afford to pay ten OIL
twenty cents per grain, fall upon the un
fortunate poor AID the masses at large
1t requires, therefore, in the fac,
of such facts, vast amount O
cheek and independence, and indicates ,
reckless disregard of the rights and comfort
OF the people generally to insist in congress
as many are now doing, in the discussions
upon the tariff from day to day, that tn,
duty should be replaced upon so usefti. al
article as quinine. In the south and south
west, in all sections peculiarly ,sGbject t,
malarial fevers of one kind and another, tn
matter is OF ten-iold Importance. The res
olution, therefore, introduced into our Texa
house the other day, by Mr.. JOHN Coon
RAN, instructing our representatives in tn
national halls of Legislation, to vote solidl
against any DIRTY or tax upon Quinine, is
very sensible move indeed, and merit
unanimpds adoption by the state legislaI
ure., At is not likely that any OF the Texa
delegation would vote Tor the measure r,
jYferredt but II iswise to instruct and reques
them not to do so. Each.and all of them, O
any rite should be held to account for the
votes on this and all other items discusse
and acted upon in the present review an
protested revision of the tariff, 1t is iniqui
Gus enough, in all conscience. to impos
burdens upon the masses at large in III
interest of few, but when it comes to rol
bling the sick and unfortunate, the systel
becomes contemplate, as well as cruel an
unjust, and it is, indeed. high time that
was swept away. The case in point is Al
: other illustration Of the rapacious, voraciol
and selfish spirit Of the protectionist ell
ment in the United States. No matt,
where the injury may result, or how triv
the subject matter under consideration, II
same grasping, reckless and relentless igl
, Is made for special favors in their bcha
: from the government, with perfect indile
: ence as to the right, justice or humanity
s the measure they may see proper and prof
, able, especially profitable, to advocate an
seek to have become part OF the statu
laws of the country. We think we ca
congratulate ourselves that Texas is repr
sented in the national councils by IN,
, who will never lend themselves to the ella
or interest alluded to.
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