Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-08-03

Is A REVENUE BILL,
and was first introduced in the House,
wherein the constitution declares that all
bills for raising revenue shall originate.
The constitution has invested Congress
with very wide legislative discretion both
As to necessity of taxation and selection OF
objects of it's burdens. And though if the
question was presented to me as an Origi-
nal proposition might doubt the present
need of increased taxation, | deem IT my
duty in this instance to defer to the !iudg-
ment of the legislative branch OF the Gov
ernment. which has been so impartlally
announced in both Houses OF Congress.
Moreover, those who desire to see re-
moved the weight of taxation now press
inc upon the people from other directions
may we'll he justified in the hope and cX-
pectation that the selection of IN additional
subject of internal taxation so well able to
bear it will in consistency be followed by
lcpislation relieving our citizens from other
revenue burdens rendered by the passage
of this bill even more than heretofore
unnecessary and needleSSly oppressive.
It has been urged us an objection
to this measure that while purport-
ing to be legislation for revenue, its
real purpose is to destroy, by the use OF
the taxing power one industry of our pco-
ple for the protection and benefit of an
other. if entitled to indulge in such Il Sus-
picion rs n basis of official action III this
case and if entirely satisfied that the con-
sentences indicated would enSuc should
doubtless feel constrained TO intcrpoSc
executive dissent But do not feel called
upon to interpret the motives of Congress
O herwiSe than by the apparant character
of the bill which has been presented To me
and | am convinced that the taxes which
it creates
CANNOT POSSIBLY DESTROY
the open and legitimate manufacture and
sale of the thing upon which it is levied.
If this article has the merit which its
friends claim for it, and if the people of
the land with full knowledge Of its real
character. desire to purchase and use it,
the taxes enacted by this bill will permit a
fair profit to both manufacturer and dealer.
Ifthc existence of the commodity taxed
and the profits of its manufacture and sale
depend upon diSpOSing Of 1t to the
people for something else which il
deccitfully initiates the entire enterprise
is n fraud and not an industry, and If it
cannot endure the exhibition of its real
character, which will be effected by the
inspection, supervision and stamping which
this bill directs, the sooner it is destroyed
A., .,,4, NJ fni
Such Il result would not furnish the first
instance in history of the legislation on
which revenue bill produced a benefit
which was mainly incidental TO its main
nurpose. There is certainly no industry
better entitled to the incidental advantages
which NAV follow this legislation than our
FARMING AND DAIRY INTERESTS,
and to none of our people should they be
less. grudging than our farmers and dairy
men. The present depression of their oc-
cupations. the hard, steady and often un-
remunerative work which such Occupa-
tions exact, and the burdens of taxation
which our agriculturists necessarily bear,
entitle them to every legitimate consider
alton. Nor should there be opposition to
the incidental effect of this legislation on
the part of those who profess to be en-
gagged honestly and fairly i'll the man
utacture and sale of wholesome and
valuable article of food, which by
its provisions may be subject to taxation.
As long rs their business is carried on
under cover and by false pretense, such
men have bad companions in those manu-
faCturerS, however vile and harmful, that
take their place without challenge with
the better sort in common crusade of
deceit against the public. But If this
Occupation and its methods are forced into
the fight and all these manufacturers must
thus either stand upon their merits or fall
the good and bad must soon part company
and the fittest only will survive.
Not the least important incident related
to this legislation is the defense afforded to
the consumers against the fraudulent sub
stitutiOn and sale of an imitation for q
genuine article of food of very general
household use. Notwithstanding the i'm
mense quantity of the article described in
this bill which is sold to the people for their
consumption as food and Notwithstanding
the claim made that its manufacture sup
plies cheap substitute for butter, | ven
tuTe TO say that
HARDLY A POUND EVER ENTERED POOR
MANS HOUSE UNDER IFS REAL NAME
and in its true character. While in its re-
lation to an article of this description there
should be no governmental regulation Of
what the citizens shall eat, it is certainly
not a cause of regret if by legislation of this
character he is afforded means by which
he may better protect himself against i'm
position in meeting the needs and wants Of
his daily life. Having entered upon this
legislation it is manifeStly a duty to
render it rs effective rs possible
in the accomplishment of all the
good which should legitimately follow in
its train. This leads TO the suggestion that
the article proposed to be taxed and the
circumstances which subject it thereto
should be clearly and with great distinct
ness defined in the statute. 1t seems TO me
that this object has not been completely
attained in the phraseOlOgy Of the second
section of the bill, and that question
may well arise as to the precise condition
the article to be taxed must assume, IN Or
der to be regarded as made in imita-
ton or semblance of butter, or when
so made, calculated or intended
to be sold as butter, or
for butter" the fourteenth and fifteenth
sections of the bill in my opinion are in
danger of being construed as an interfT-
enee with the police powers Of the States.
Not being entirely satisfied of the uncon-
stitutiOnality Of these provisions, and re-
garding them as not being 50 connected
and interwoven with the other sections rs
if found invalid to yitiate the entire meas