Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-01-13
{. The Trade" Utterly Demo1al-
lied by the Decision OF
the Supreme Court
They Say the Liquor Traffic Has
Received Its Death-bIow in
Prohibition States.
Louis Schade Takes a Very Gloomy
View of the Situation Echoes
Of the Decision.
From the New York Voice.


cases, and the utterances of the Hon
James G.. Blaine, opposing, for moral
and Temperance reasons, the removal
of the Federal tax upon liquors, are m at.
tiers very much talked of among the liquor
men just now. A reporter for the Voice
last Saturday called upon some of the most
prominent representatives of the brewing,
distilling, and wholesale whisky interests,
and obtained the very frank expressions OF
opinion which follow. The persons inter-
viewed, without exception. admit that the
Supreme Court decision is a great blow to
their business. From the tone of some of
the interviews it is apparent that the high
license movement is about to receive large
re- endorsements from the ranks of the
liquor men. Those who had any opinion
to give about Mr.. Blaine's remarks agree in
the declaration that the internal-revenue
tax is a good thing for the liquor traffic,
and if maintained will work, as heretofore,
for the advantage of the traffic.
Mr.. &. Thomann, Chief of the Literary
Bureau of the United States Brewers As
ISOLATION. was very much worked up over
the decision of the Supreme Court. ct
very surprising one. The Supreme Court
bases its decision upon the presumption
that the manufacture of beeris nuisance,
producing crime. pauperism, and insanity.
The contrary is true. and facts were pre-
sented by MIR. Joseph H. Choate, counsel
for the brewers, proving the contrary.
What can we do about it? Nothing. The
Supreme Court never reverses its decision.
That is as nearly impossible as anything
you can conceive of. The effect will be to
drive the brewing business out of States
having prohibition laws. The brewers can
now only organize in different States to
prevent prohibitory laws from being
passed. They will redouble their efforts to
prevent the spread of the plague in States,
cities, counties, and towns. 1t is States
rights decision, the last desperate effort
OF Republican Judges to regain power.
BY C, the Supreme Court Of the
United States ought not to start out with
false premise. | wish the newspapers
would ask Judge Harlan to tell where be
got his statistics proving the use of beer to
be an injury to the community have lost
all confidence in the Supreme Court"
In reply to q question as to how the de-
cision would effect the high License move
ment, Mr.. Thomann said he was not against
high license III theory. "The number of sa-
looms is no criterion as to the prevalence of
drunkenness. This has been shown more
than once"
Brewer Sheridan Shook, a leading light
in Republican State politics, was in the
gorgeous cafe of the Morton House, of
which he is proprietor. "The brewers did
not expect such decision, be said: "but,
of course, we do not propose to antagonize
the Supreme Court. We have nothing to
do but to submit to it. )"
When asked whether, in doubtful States.
where the prohibition agitation is pending,
this decision would not have tendency to
make the brewers and liquor men willing to
compromise OH high license as means to
put on prohibition. MIR. Shook replied that
he thought such might be the effect Of the
decision. Il personally do not favor high
license. 1t create a monopoly in the bust
ness. Many in the trade do not, however.
object to it. +.
Mr.. Shook said the decision will, of
course, encourage the Prohibitionists. He
thought Mr.. B}aines 'ea of retaining the
whisky tax and using it to fortify the coast
"a grand one" Mr.. Shook also gave the
reporter to understand that he is a Blaine
man from the crown OF his head to the
bottom of his shoes.
Peter McQuade, wholesale liquor dealer
and prominent member of the National
Protective Association, which is composed
OF Wholesale whisky men and distillers.
and SO successfully combated the efforts
OF Prohibitionists in Michigan, Texas. Ten
nessee, and Oregon, said: "This decision
bars us out of Prohibition States. The
National Protective Association will con-
slider the matter, and may possibly deter
NINE to bring it up again. The only thing
LETT for us to do is to fight Prohibition in
Inc states, the same as we have been do
u .o1,I
beat the Prohibitionists every time. Most
whisky men favor the 30 cents lax Der GAL
lon on whisky. There would be too much
competition in the trade if it were taken
DIT. am IN favor Of high license, provid-
ing everybody in the business is taxed
Alike. am not in favor of taxing whis-
KY dealer $1,000 and man who sells beer
only $780,
Jas. II. Madden, the Eastern Agent for
he National Protective Association. was at
he Office of The Bar. He said: "The de-
.ision simply makes valid the laws in Pro-
libition States, and bars the trade out of
hose States SO far as it can be barred out
There is no chance for reversal. It takes
he tight out of the courts, and brings it
nto the States and counties. The National
protective Association went in on fair and
square fight in the States of Michigan.
Texas, Tennessee and Oregon, issued its
printed matter, made thorough canvass
md Won" Mr.. Madden thought Mr..
3laines demand that the whisky tax be re- |
aimed was simply the bid Of shrewd
politician for the votes of the G. A. R.
The internal revenue tax was a war
measure, and is largely used now to nav
he pensions of the Union soldiers, MIR. |
3iaine knows if the tax were taken off |
Whisky SO much money would be lost.
which now goes to pay pensions. He is |
lighting for the G. A. Il. Liquor men,"
Mr.. Madden, in answer to q |
question, "are in favor of the internal rev. |
nue. tax on whisky. They NAV not all
avor SO high tax Us 80 cents gallon; but
hey all want some kind of a tax"
How would taking off the tax affect the
consumption of liquor" said the reporter.
1T would not affect it in the least" said |
1r. Madden. "There is just as much whis-
y drunk under high tax as there would
re under no tax at all"
Referring again to the decision, Mr..
ladden said: "Both brewers and liquor
.ealers are equally interested in it. We
'atched the course of the cases very care
ully."
"Had the National Protective Associa-
ion any part in the recent fight in Atlanta?s
aid the reporter.
"Oh, yes; We went into that fight the
anne as we did in the States, and sent our
aen and documents down there"
A. E. seifert. Secretary of the New York