Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1884-08-23


decreased 1891 in one year. The NOR
tally which had increased to "a, 06S in
1900 on accountof increased distillation
decreased. An increase of tax in 1903
decreased the consumption of spirits
and also mortality.
These statistics of the rise and fall of
the number of deaths in London
says an eminent physician-establishes
the fact that the mortality of people
will increase or decrease in proportion
as the consumption of alcoholic liquors
is augmented or diminished,
For these and other reasons let us
have tax, and a high tax, on alcoholic
liquors until we can get clear of the
use of them entirely, if that ever can
be DONE
This is question in which not only
total abstainers, but in which all who
love the peace and welfare of the coun-
try and the safety of their families are
interested.
WILL REMOVING THE TAX PREVENT
THE MANUFACTURE AND SALE OF
LIQUOR?
1t may be said that the government,
neither State nor National, should de.
rive a revenue from the sale of alco>
holic liquors: that is the price of blood
and is compromising with crime.
Ifthe government should make a
trade with the manufacturer or seller
of alcoholic liquors to the effect that
they might make or sell these liquors
in consideration of paying a certain
sum of money, and that unless this
trade was made these liquors could not
be made and sold, there might be
something in the objection. But such
is not the fact. These liquors are made
and sold by the permission of the States,
and with the consent and appreciation
of the people. They are made and
sold not because of the tax, but in spite
of the tax, Then the only practical
question is, Shall they be made and
sold free from any tax, so as to increase
the volume of drunkenness or, shall
they be restricted by tax, and high
tax, so as to diminish their evils, and
throw upon them portion of the bur-
dens they create.
Removing the tax, State or Federal,
will serve only to increase the evils of
intemperance, and put off,, perhaps,
forever the prohibition, either local Or
general, of the traffic. The friends of
temperance all over the world have ad
vocated the placing of high tax on
the manufacture and sale of alcoholic
liquors so long as the manufacture and
sale are permitted by the government
and demanded by the people.
In England at one time they had a
tax of five dollars a gallon on gin, and
when it was repealed drunkenness in>
creased to fearful extent. Be it said
to their credit, all the Bishops in the
House of Lords voted against its repeal.
The tax of $3.50 or 5000 on every
liquor dealer in Tennessee has done as
much as anything else to decrease in
temperance, and if the laws were prop
erly enforced it would decrease it much
more, The liquor dealers are very
anxious to hear temperance men advo-
cate repeal of all tax on the manu-
facture and sale of liquors.
STATE TAXATION INTELLECTUAL.
have no hesitation in saying that |
would greatly prefer that the tax on
the manufacture of alcoholic liquors
should he levied by the States, but |
doubt the powers of the States to pass
and enforce laws taxing the manufac-
ture of alcoholic liquors. l find that
in Tennessee, although there is tax
of from $3.50 to 5000 on each wholesale
and retail liquor dealer in the State,
and although in 1882 there were
2,O44 licensed liquor dealers in Tennes-
see, the amount of tax collected was
only $126,244.
Again the Supreme court has deci-
ded that the manufacturers of alcoholic
liquors in the State cannot be taxed as
wholesale liquor dealers. | have no