The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-04-16

10 State Win matnematlcal accuracy
either the amount or the cost of the
liquor drank IN the United States in a
twelvemonth is impossible yet it is pos
sible to make estimates which may be re-
garded as practically correct. Upon such
estimates this table is constructed. The
methods by which these results have been
reached is simple.
In the year 1883 lending June 30) the gov
eminent received as the internal revenue
on distilled spirits $74, 1858 775. The tax
on each gallon of distilled liquor is ninety
cents. The quantity, therefore, of liquor
thus taxed amounted to no less thon
S2,631 ,972 gallons. The crucial point
relative to this quantity is its cost to its
consumer. A certain proportion of it
was employed in mechanical and scientific
uses. The larger proportion of its whiskey
and brandy-liquors which formed its
principal part-was drank as a beverage.
At the drug stores "a respectable drug
gist of Cambridge informs me) the best
brandy retails at $12 gallon the best
whiskey at So; new rum at SO, and old
rum at higher price than the new. At
the saloons brandy is usually sold at
twenty-five cents glass. A glass Of dis
titled liquor represents one-half a gill.
At the saloon, therefore, brandy is re-
tailed at $16 a gallon. Whiskey is sold at
the rate of fifteen cents a. glass, or 80 60
a gallon. In view Of these facts, it is
judged that on the average gallon of
distilled liquor costs the consumer at
least SO. The cost, therefore, to the con-
sumer of the whole amount of 50, 63l 972
gallons would aggregate $495,79l, 1872.
In the same year of 1888 the United
States government received through the
internal revenue from the tax on fermented
liquors $l6,9006l5. The rate of taxa
ton is 81 barrel. A barrel contains
either thirty-two or thirty-one gallons.
Accepting the lower estimate, no less than
523,919,065 gallons of fermented liquor
were consumed in one year in this coun.
try. This liquor consisted mainly of beer.
In one gallon of beer are, as usually di-
vided, twelve glasses; and glass is sci.
dom if ever sold at less than five cents,
At sixty cents a gallon, therefore, the cost
to the drinkers of this beer amounted to
1914 351 439.
The entire cost, therefore, of liquors
distilled and fermented, on which the gov
eminent received revenue, consumed in
the United States in the year ending June
| 30, 1888, amounted to $50 l43 27l. This
sum does not, however, correctly represent
the nations drink bill. 1t does not in
clude the value of native wines; it does
not include the value of the imported
liquors, of many kinds and of large
amounts. In the year 1880 the govern
ment received as the duties on beer, ale
porter, and other malt liquors imported
1858 4S5; and as duties on wine, spirits
and cordials imported 81 1876, $50. The cos
to the consumer of the liquor, the imposts
on which exceeded So 900 600, it is only
possible to estimate. Not few of these
liquors were rare vintages. Ordinar,
champagne is sold at 80 a pint; the best
brands command much larger price. L
is certainly low estimate which place
the value of these liquors at 800 900 900
This sum, together with the $50, l43 ,271
causes the amount to increase to 500,
1921. In this total, however, is no
included the value of the native wines
yet this total does include the value o
liquor used for mechanical and scientifi
purposes. Upon the precise value o
liquor thus employed it is difficult to offe
an intelligent opinion. Relatively, how
ever, to the value of liquor used as a bever
age the value of liquors otherwise con
sumed is small.
1t is further to be said that no accoun
is thus taken of liquor, either distilled o
fermepted, which escapes taxation. Tn
crooked whisky" and the "crooked
other spirits which avoid the tax represen
by no means small amount. But thi
quantity, as well as that which is taxed
is all consumed.
In consideration of these facts, it
judged that to place the drink bill OF tn
United States for one year at $500, 100000
is to to make low estimate.
It is worth while to compare this est
mate with another made last year. In II
famous editorial, " The Size of the Ten
perance Question" the New York Tribun
affirmed that the country spends for drin
more than $S00000,000 each year. II
method of reaching this result is somewha
different from that here adopted. The con
clusion, however, in a problem many elt
ments of which are indefinite, is similar
that which have reached
GA glass of beer costs the consumer fiy
cents, and there are at least twenty in tn
gallon, and six hundred and forty in til
barrel, so that beer retails at about 1872
barrel, while ale costs still more. Tn
consumption of beer and ale last year wa
about $4,000 600 barrels; cost to consun
ers, about $3.50 100000. The cheapest kin
of liquor used, ordinary whiskey, is rarel
sold at five cents, and averages at lea,
seven cents drink at half gill to Ii
'horn,' this makes $44S per gallon. TIL
consumption last year was about 100000
gallons cost to consumers, about $3lS
100000. Adding wines, there is certain