The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1888-07-26
rne Abolition of Internal Reyenue.a
tFrom the Chicago Inter-Ocean. ]


The venerable Judge Kelley seems to have
stirred up a good sized hornets nest by his un-
equivocal avowal on the floor of Congress of
opposition 10 the retention OF the Internal
revenue system. The Republican platform was
for eating off everything except whlskey, and
even that rather than weaken the protective
system. The convention contemp plated the
total repeal of internal taxation as probable in
The near future: Judge Kelley agrees with the
Inter Ocean that the time has already come Tor
getting rid of that war tax. For taxing that
position he is charged with Willingness TO pro-
mote intemperance in the interest of protected
industries. In proof OF this charge a remark
lnade by Mr.. Blaine in his Paris interview is
often quoted. 1t is true that MI. Blaine thinks,
did six months ago, that the moral afgu-
ment in favor of retaining the tax, but the
Prohibition party, which has given the subject
special consideration and ought to be accepted
az the highest authority On that point, holds
just the contrary opinion. The fourth plank OF
the platform adopted at the National frohlol-
ton convention, al indianapolis, six weeks ago.
declares for 1.-The immediate ab"lltloh Oh Sle
internal revenue system. whereby our Ma
tional Government is deriving support from
our greatest national vice"
II the objection urged 10 the Republican posi-
ton on this subject were well taken 1t would
enuailv anplv to the Prohibition position. The
NV differ in extent; they also approach each
other from different starting points, but IL me
Republicans chargeable with faNorlng free
wniskey," then so are Inc ProhlDltlohists, ohiy
more So The truth is that il takes both plaDBs
to suggest the whole truth OF the matter mere
are Two great arguments IN favor ol Slie piG
posed repeal, one financial and one clinical IL
Is alike for the pecuniary and the moral inter
est of the American people that the internal
revenue system should be abolished. On the
latter point there is no room for lair contro-
versy OF course, each individual reasoner mas
a right to his own personal opinion, put When
it comes to an authoritative declaration II
must be conceded that national ana repre-
sentative gathering OF Prohlblt lonlsls IL tne
highest possible authority upon the moral or
temperance phase OF the tax on WHISKY. what
could be more absurd than 10 charge the Ike
publican pal W with promoting the liquor IN
ierest when ii takes step toward The position
occupied by the Prohibition party? That
touches the utmost verge, the Outef rim OF lne
prepOStePOuS.
The pretension that the removal ofthe tax on
whisky would IL axe it dangerously cheap JIG
based on The assumption that the state author
tiles could not would not subject the Iquor
traffic to special treatment, when The TACT Is
that everywhere the traffic is either prohibited,
except for medical and mechanical purposes,
or required to pay special license fees. 1hefe
is no sucb thing as free Whiskey" anywhere in
abe United states, independent of the natlona
TAX OF course the p' ohibitfon and the Incense
saws are often evaded and condemned. but such
violation would not be Increased or aggravated
-by removing the national tax. ON the con-
trary, The latter has created and MAINTAINS a
whiskey ring which is one of The great him
ORANGES to the enforcement OF temperance
legislation. The enormous fnnd al bhe com
mana of the liquor trust Is ialgely dtie 20 the
machinery of national taxation, and IL IL only
natural that the Prohlbitlonlsts, VINO ind theli
work constantly impeded by the WHISKY ring
with it's millions, should demand the lmme-
aiiate abolition of the fnternal-revenue system
The enemies of the Republican party who
pirate so loudly OF "jree whisky should know
that the trick they are trying TO play will not
work II the election were to come of in
August it might but long before November the
bottom will fall out OF the hypocrtical sham
and the mischief will react. Judging from the
developments up TO date, the Republican party
is to be a. sailed this time with platform lies
rather than with personal abuse of the stan.
dard bearer. Perhaps ths latter will come Out
later on the MOI cey letter plan. However that
may be. the first duty of the citizen is to form
an intelligent idea OF each plank in the plat
form, especially this most assailed one pledg-
ing the party to conditional abolition of the
iniernal-revenue system. To be CORDIALLY ap-
proved by all who approve the policy OF pro-
lection and of lessepiIg the evils of intemper-
ance il needs only 10 be clearly understood.