New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-10-12
CONT THE COST.

COCNI I'M CCDb'
1t is easy to incur debts. To pay them Is
sometimes verr~unpeasant and hard, especially
in political life. a year ago, The TRIBUNE
called attention to the alliance beween the
whiskey-still and the Democratic party, and
pointed ont the nature of consideration which
would he demanded by the liquor interest as
the price of political support. The first install
ment of the payment was made some months
ago. In Iowa, it was demanded that the DEM
ocratic party should oppose and resist tie en-
forcement of Constitutional amendment
which had been adopted by a popular majority
of 10000. 1t was done. In Ohio, it was de-
manded that the same party should resist and
deHOunce the Scott law, an act much less severe
than the Downing act in Missouri which had
peen passed by Legislature nearly four to one
Democratic, but of precisely the same general
tenor. As matter of political tactics, it was
altogether foolish to make issue against
such an act, by which counties were largely
benefited, and the people relieved from part Of
the burden of taxation, at least until it had
been tried. But that was done also.
ThereupOn the alliance was continued, and
has put forth great eXeTtiOns. In Iowa it has
been beaten by q large majority. In Ohio, It
has resulted in heavy Republican gains on the
State ticket, aud has cen an important cause
Of the tremendous vote pOed for IA prOhibitory
amendment. But all this is only the beginning
The alliance, rs we pointed out a year ago,
looked to results in National legislation and
National elections We shall SEQ that the full
price will be demanded by the liquor interest
namely the repeal Of all taxes on whskey. Mr.
Randall already takes the lead in declaring that
these taxes shall be repealed a House largely
Democratic will he called upon to vote for such
a measure this winter. Probably it will pass
that body possibly the support Of few Re
publicans may put it through the Senate also
1t will afterward be seen what the people think
about free whskcy and taxed sugar, clothing,
land and labor
In Ohio, if the Democrats have majority in
the Legislature, the repeal of tue Scott law
will be demanded. The Democrats will not
dare to refuse The party has sold itself to the
liquor interest, and must pay the price. But it
will be rather incOnveDient to take $2,OOO,OOO
a year from the taxpayers Of the various
counties in order to present it to the
dealers in liquor. Perhaps it may not
sound well to declare that the farm of the
farmer and the home of the laboer shall bf
taxed more heavily, so that the liquor saloon
may go untaxed. But they who dance must
pay the piper. The demands Of the Liquor
Dealers Association will not be resisted by leg
isators who owe their seats to its money.
After that comes a Presidential election.
The issue whether everything else shall be
taxed, and the liquor trade exempted will then
be presented to the people. The Democrats will
have made their Tecord-no national taxation
and DO local taxation of this favored interest.
The Republicans will have made their record
opposition to repeal Of internal taxes,
State taxation of the liquor trade for the
relief of land and labor from the burdens which
intoxication causes. When the price has been
fully paid, the Democratic party will discover
whether it did well in selling itself.