Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1884-03-21
A1nraster 1ntclli grnccr
Hiking whisky and The TarIH.

Mixing WHISKY ana the TariH.
The whisky bill being under considera
tIon in the House, Mr.. Coke, of New
York, made speech on the tariff bill,
which discovered him to be in favor of
the Morrison measure, but did not de
velop his opinions on the proposition to
extend the time of payment Of the tax
on the whisky In bond which Mr..
Blonnt, Of Georgia, said amounted to
sixty-six million dollars, and he was
opposed TO the extension because 1t prac
tically amounted to loan by the govern
ment TO the distillers. Mr.. Randall also
opposed the extension on principle
probably the same principle. Mr.. Car.
Isle is supposed to favor the bill, his
state having great interest in 1t.
Mr.. Morrison is for 1t, and so is Wat
terson; and his interest IN 1t is said to
be the true reason for his presence in
Washington, his running the Democrat.
ic party being simply little by-play to
work off his suporabundaut steam.
What connection the bill to extend the
time of payment Of the whisky tax has
with the tariff bill, is not readily TO be
seen; and yet there seems to be such
connection from the marshalling Of the
prominent Democratic friends of tariff
revision in its favor, and the opposition
to 1t Of those who are content to let the
tariff be as 1t Is. 1t would seem that a
natural collocation would be the reverse
Of this, since those who favor a reduction
of tariff duties would naturally desire to
show plethoric treasury, needing de-
pletion. The postponement of the pay
ment of the tax on bonded whisky is ex
pected ultimately to result in its being
wholly remitted, along with the aboli
tion of the whisky tax "a measure which
is supposed TO be favored by the high
tariff advocates. When We find free trade
people also for free whisky, and tariff
advocates demanding the prompt pay
ment Of the whisky tax, it seems
strange. II may be that our represen-
tatives are acting " on principle" and
entirely without regard to the influence
which their position upon one question
may have on another; and If so they are
entitled TO commentator for their in
tegrity which is of avery unusual kind. |
1t Is a very excellent thing to stand |
upon principle but there needs to be a
thorough assurance that IL is a principle
upon which the stand is taken. The
principle upon which Mr.. Blount opposes
the whisky tax extension is that the
government should not lend money and
that may be a good principle but it is
not so clear that Mr.. Blount is standing
on it in this case, since foregoing the
present collection of debt is
not the same in principle or
practice as making loan as every one
knows to his sorrow. Nor is it entirely
clear that the government may not prop.
erly postpone the collection of a debt
under certain circumstances The
whisky distiliers say that they cannot
raise the sixty-six millions due the gov.
eminent, without great sacrifice of their
property. IL this is so, and the govern
ment is well secured for its debt by the
whisky 1t holds, and does not stand in
present need OF the tax money, where is
Is the great harm of letting it remain for
time in the whisky owners hands if
they are willing to pay a proper interest
for the accommodation II need not feel
compelled TO collect the tax now, lest it
may In the future remit il, as that would
be confession of very great weakness
Nor is there any conspicuous principle
under the feet Of those who demand ana
those who refuse twenty per cent. e.
duciion In the tariff. That is simply a
question of expediency; and upon it
differences of opinion may properly be
reconcled and they must be 80 recon .
ciled By all who expect to claim place az
Democratic leaders.
IL there is anything in the whisky tax
question that is available to secure
harmony OF Democratic action on
the tariff question, there is nothing
to prevent Its being made use Of Some
OF our Washington people seem TO have
worked themselves into a fever Of obsti
macy in dealing with these questions,
and stand in need of some fabrication
OF their mental joints. They lad better
get themselves rubbed down il they ex.
pect - make good entry at Chicago.
lIpar IIistInctIop