Sacramento daily record-union., 1888-09-17
THE "FREE WHISKY CRY.


sary, in order to protect the industries of
the country from tariff tinkering, to repeal
III part, Or in whole, the internal revenue
tax. Because of this the Democracy has
set up the cry of free whisky" attempt
ing to fasten it upon their opponents as a
term of reproach. One of the appeals in
support of this application of the term is
made to the temperance people Despite
the fact that it is put forward with an ap-
pearance of gravity, it forms an excellent
theme for humor. The idea of the Demo
cratic party preaching sobriety, and posing
before the temperance hosts as an advocate
OF national tax 10 prevent drunkenness.
is nothing more nor less than ludicrous
Yet there are very many people who
really believe that the internal revenue
tax is promotive of temperance.
Now the truth is that the continuance
or repeal of the tax cuts no figure what
ever IN the temperance question, whether
it be regulatiye or prohibitive temper
ance. The taking off the tax upon liquors
used as beverages would not affect the
price OF liquor sold over the bar by SO
much as farthing, and experience proves
this to be true; as, for instance in the sew
eral countries where no such tax is laid
So far as buying in quantity and keeping
the Jug at home is concerned, we do not
believe it would encourage it materially, if
at all. Those who drink will have liquors
regardless of the cost, and the price is not
deterrent to those who prefer to drink in
their homes. Moreover, there is by the
repeal of the whisky tax no license given
to make and sell spirits. The Supreme
Court of the United States has settled
that, in affirming the power in the several
States to regulate the manufacture and
sale of liquors each within its jurisdiction.
Should the result of the present agitation
involve the repeal of the tax, the States
can levy another, and, if they choose a
heavier one. The 'free whisky" bug-a-
boo thus really develops back action, and
may be used by the Republicans with
legitimacy as temperance argument, and a
means Of putting money into State treas
uries to defray, in part, the cost of main
tanning Statehood and thus tightening the
burdens of direct taxation by the States.
and at the same time of regulating the
liquor traffic.
Butthere are other reasons for advocating
the repeal Of the tax, when the time comes.
or, as the Democracy delight to express it.
in favor of free whisky" The repeal
would relieve industries in which distilled
spirits are of necessity used. 1t would put
an end to whisky trusts and spirit" mo-
nopolies. 1t would wholly eliminate all
possible cause for conflict between the
State and the Federal Governments re-
garding taxation by internal revenue
Finally, the repeal of the internal revenue
would lessen the Surplus" over which
Mr.. Cleveland is so much concerned. The
spirit tax for the year ending June 80.
1888, brought to the Government S65. .829.-
92l, which sum, If deducted from the
surplus" would relieve it of the charac-
ter Of "peri" that the Democracy insists it
wears.
The bonded warehouse system originated
in 1868. 1t permitted the distiller to store
his product under Federal roof for a
year without paying the tax, upon giving
bond. Amendments and "rulings" have
prevailed, until at this time a storage of
three years can be made. OF this priyi-
lege the smaller distillers cannot avail
themselves, and thus monopoly is created
for the larger manufacturers and dealers.
Without this system, the law of supply
and demand would come fully into play,
subject, of course, to regulative measures
theStates might adopt, and several of which
have already set up and are enforcing such
laws
If our Prohibition friends are sincere in
the position they assume, and we cannot
doubt them, they cannot for moment
give ear to the ''free whisky" howl, since
1t Is cardinal principle with them that
Government should not be participant
IN the receipt of any money from the
liquor traffic; yet the internal revenue tax
makes the National Government a sharer
in the money gain of the liquor business
every cent Of which comes out of the con-
samer. The Prohibitions ave steadily
played into the hands of tue Democracy
for some years, for the express purpose
of furnishing the Republican party for not
doing, for one thing, precisely that which
the Democracy now expresses the fear that
it will do if given the power. Looked
at IN anyway, and every Light, the reasons
for the repeal of the tax and the commit
neRt to the State Governments of the
whole question of regulation, are irwin
cible.