Daily Los Angeles herald., 1884-08-17
lSan Jose IIorald.l
IN

DAN JosE, July 80, ioof'
J. b. Portal. Esq. President Santa
Clara Yiticuitaral Society;
DEAR SIR--Errors creep into the 'best
regulated" reports; this is true of news.
papers In San jose rs elsewhere. We
cannot, however, afford that our wants
in the matter Of legislation .sh )uld be
misunderstood at this time, and for this
reason beg you to request the local
press to publish the following as brief
summary Of the demands made by our
viticultural industry. and which is re-
spectfully dedicated to the candidates
for Congress and Legislature of all
parties as we'll as to those now holding
offices:
The tariff on raisins has been reduced
TO two cents per pound. This industry
cannot succeed unless higher rate ia
fixed, and it demands such protection
that 1t may compete successfully and on
fair terms, as to cost of production and
transportation, with foreign goods in the
MARKETS OF THE ATLANTIC STATES.
A tariff that would be satisfactory for
the market of San Francisco would not
protect the industry in New York, be-
cause the cost of transportation is near
ly four times greater for the California
product than for the Spanish. AT a con.
vention of ra,sin producers held in Fres-
no, In June, rate of live cents on Mus
cat raisins, aud three cents for Sultanas
and currants was demanded.
The wine producers demand contin.
uation OF the present policy Of protec-
ton, not only Tor their own industry but
for oil Others that are conducive to the
general prosperity. They desire that
their customers, who are interested in
other industries should be prosperous in
order that the home American market
may be kept good for their trade. They
clalm that the advantages of protective
policy in preserving to us our home
markets should be reciprocally enjoyed
by all industries that may be successful
+. ly established.
The wine producers demand of all can
didates for legislative office, State or
national, and of all parties, full, frank
and sincere acknowledgment of the i'm.
portance Of their industry to the state
and nation, and assurances that it shall
be openly fostered, as being conducive
to tho public welfare, and that its enc
mics, whether under the
GUIsE OF INTOLERANCE.
Or political abstraction, shall be repu.
dated.
The wine producers demand new legis-
lation to remedy defects in present laws,
via:
Fra-That the duty on fermented
drinks be rated according to alcoholic
strength so that spirit used in Europe TO
fortify sweet wines, shall not be untaxed,
while our producers may have to pay 80
cents per gallon on spirits for similar
purposes.
Second-That pure grape spi,i's may
be used by our wInc makers, in fortifying
sweet wines to preserve them, without
tax, this privilege not to be extended to
the use OF other spirits. Wines so for
titled not to exceed "a per cent of alcohol.
Third--rhat the internal revenue tax
on spirits should be based on taxation on
consumption. not ON productions; that If
any limit be placed on the time for
which brandy may be kept in bond, it
be SO extended as to
GIVE PRODUCERS AMPLE TIME
After their goods are fully maturcd to
seek purchasers; aud that it is the duty
of the Government 10 protect consumers
against unwholesome new spirits by
granting rebate of at least ten per
cent on the tax, for each year, not ex-
ceeding five, that brandy is kept in bond.
That further facilities be granted in
bond for retilling packages under distil-
lers stamps.
That the existing law providing for
the taxation of spurious and adulterated
wines shall be enforced, or, if found de-
fective, shall be amended so as to prove
an effective protection of consumers
against imposition and of producers
against ruinous competition. The wine
producers claim that Congress legislates
20 foster their industries but does not in
tend to
FOSTER FRAUD AND ADULTERATIoE.
The internal revenue department
should be preserved not only as a source
Of income to the Government, but also
as means Of discovering and exposing
fraud and adulteration.
For the information OF those who may
be misled by typographical errors that
have appeared 1t snould be stated that
the present tariff on still wine in casks
Is fifty cents per gallon (still wine not ex-
ceeding "a per cent OF alcohol) aud two
dollars on proof of spirits (50 per cent
alcohul.l Natural imported wine may
contain from 8 TO Ia per cent of alcohol.
Distilled spirits in imported wine should
be taxed.
The wine growers do not desire to enter
politics except so far as their interests
compel them to do so. They desire to be
on friendly terms with all parties, and
claim that their industry should not be
bone Of contention in State where all
are interested in its advancement.
Yours respectfully,
CHAs. A. WETMoRE,
Chief Executive Niticultural Officer.