Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-02-06

HoN. EUGENE HALE mas our thanks for
two valuable pubic documents. We refer
TO a report OF the controversy over the
whiskey Bill. and Gen. Logans speech on
the Fitz John Porter Relief Bill. Mr.
Hale took prominent part in the Whis-
KEY debate, and offered several amend
ments. calculated to protect the peoples
rights; but unfortunately, the opposition
was too strong for him, and they were de-
feated by the Senate. We note one plesS-
ing passage between Senator Hale and
Senator Sherman. in which the latter IN
dertook 20 set down" on Mr.. Hale, be-
cause he was a new man in the Senate,
and custom made Il the duty Of new men,
bers 70 keep in the background. Mr.
Hale neatly turned the point on his criu-
cizer, and showed a remarkable sptuess IN
discovering the weak points OF Mr. Sher-
mans position. The question under de-
bate st this time was not one which par
ticulsrly interests Maine, IS 4 prohibition
State: but is one OF great Importance
20 the whole country, on the question OF
Revenue. The manufacturers OF wh!SSey
are taxed by the Internal Revenue depart
meut on every gallon Of whiskey manufac-
tured; but a. much OF the product should
no, be put on the market until several
years amer Il Is made, the government a.
lows the owners 20 give bond for the tax,
place the raw whiskey In bonded-ware-
houses, and AZ the expiration OF three
wears, or when the whiskey : removed,
The tax becomes due. For number o.
years, large quantity Of whiskey has
been made above the demands OF the mar
ket. and IL now remains In bond. The
owners state this fact, aud ask for two
wears more time in which TO pay the tax
virtually increasing the bonded time from
three years 70 five. During the next year
any millions OF dollars in taxes will be-
come due on whiskey now in bond, which
the owners claim will not be called for IN
several years II will De readily seen that
If this large sum IS kept out OF the Treas
ury till the whiSkey i withdrawn, or for
two wears. the owners will reap an i'm
mense advantage in the item OF int rest
alone But that j. not the only reason
why Mr. Hale and others object 20 the bill.
The manufacturers have continued 20
make more whiskey than the trade calls
for, from year 10 yesr, evidently expecting
Congress 70 extend the time Of payment
Again they hope 70 have the tax reduced,
Il not finally abolished, when they can
withdraw their goods under the reduced
qrif or free from tax altogether. II
east sun Of money could be piled up 10
bonded whiskey, 50 as 70 largely affect the
banking corporations which lOsn on bond
ed goods. and thus disturb business gen
orally, it would prove q great lever n
turning the tax of OF whiskey, and these
spectators would make = rich thing out
OF the change Sufficient infucuce was
brought 70 bear in the Sena.e 20 carry The
extension bill but in the House il meets
opposition which will PROBABLY defeat IL.
The Sc WhisSey Ring has always been a
dangerous element in political and busi-
ness circles. IL i said that no man can
dibble with the stuff and remain uncou-
taminated We cannot be too careful in
resisting the demands Of this combination,
no matter how simple they may seem.
They sl aim 10 one point-free whiskey.
Mr.. Hale did q good thing FOR the country
in exposing the designs OF the whiskey
interests