The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-10-20
THE FIFTIETH CONGRESS.
The Senate ak About Alcohol and It's q
in Arts and Industries.

The Senate Talks About Alcohol and It's Use
in Arts and Industries.
WASHINGTON, Oct 19.-Ths resolution Of
yesterday, authorizing the finance committee to
continue its hearing on the tariff bill, was
adopted
The resolution offered yesterday by Mr..
Teller, in reference to the purchase of convict
labor wagons for the Indian Bureau, was with
drawn by him.
Several letters from the Commissioners of In
ternal Revenue. In reference TO methylated al
cohol, and the facility for fraud in connection
Herewith. were presented BY MIR. Cockrell. read,
and ordered to be printed in the Record.
Mr.. Allison stated that the communications
just read. some of them dating back to 1857,
were of very little value as illustrating the mat
ter of revising the tax on spirits used in arts
and manufactures. Most OF them had reference
to House bills varying in their provis-
ions from the proposition in the
Senate tariff bill. Every safecuard
suggested by the Commissioner of Internal Reve-
nue. in mis- last letter, SO far as respected bonded
warehouses. had been provided for in the SEN
ate bill The most eminent chemists 10 the
country had been consulted by the suo-commlt-
tee on fnaucs before the provision bad been re
ported. IL the law now on the statute DOCK
was sufficient to prevent illegal Installation, the
same law would prevent the rehabilitation OF
methylated alcohol, but ell objections to the
proposition were met by the fact that, since
1853, Great Britain. with a tax OF 50. 90 q gallon
on distilled spirits, had allowed methylated alco-
hol TO be used in the arts and industries so
did Germany. The regulations adopted in Great
Britain were not cumbrous or difficult OF en-
forcemsnt. If they could be enforced there, he
asked why not hereP
Mr.. Cockrell admitted the force of Mr.. ALI
sons srsument. If redistribution was necessary
TO demethyiate alcohol. but be asserted that re-
distillation was not necessary.
In the course OF the discussion, MI. Allison
assented to a suggestion by Mr.. Dolph. that the
tax on spirits used in the arts and industries
had TO be removed, and to this Dir. Cockrell called
attention in a tone OF sharp criticism, but DIR.
Dolph explained that what he meant was that
il could be done without facilitating frauds on
the revenue. OF course, if that should be found
TO be mprscticabla no one would propose to re-
move the tax.
After further discussion, the matter was al
lowed TO drop.
Mr.. Blair endeavored to have action taken on
The House bull, passed yesterday, as to the en-
ployment of army and navy bands. but MIR.
Cockrell objected aud gave notice that no more
bills would pass at this session.
The on Indian affairs was author
lied TO continue during the recess at Washing
ton, the examination ordered last Congress as to
the condition OF the Indian tribes on the reser-
vstions 10 Minnesota, Dakota and Montana.
The Senate then, at 1:15 o'clock. took a recess
until half past 2. After the recess, the Sen
ate. on motion Of MIR. Allison, went into secret
session, and at 3 o'clock adjourned until to-mor-
row.