Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1888-05-18
Senator Wilson on the whlskey Tax.

Senator Wilson, of Iowa, made an able
speech in the United States Senate, on the
fifth ult., in which he advocated earnestly
the repeal OF the internal revenue tax ON
into xicating liquors, not "as favor TO
those persons engaged in the manufacture
and sale OF intoxicating liquors, but for
the public defense" We qnote from the
Congressional Record ne follows:
"Those who manufacture and deal in
intox icating liquors all seem to favor the
preservation of this tax. Why is this so
Persons do not often insist on the imposi-
ton OF taxes on their business OF property
The rule is quite 10 the contrary, and the
removal of tax is hailed with great salts
faction. Why should this case be so differ
ent from all others? 1t is not because OF
the hope Of these persons have that the re-
duction of revenue in other directions
would result in so firmly imbedding the
business OF making and selling Intoxicating
liquors in our revenue system thai il could
never be disturbed? This is the position
1t occupies in the revenue system OF Great
Britain, aud who ever hears Of a PROPOSE
lion on the part OF that government to re-
duce the taxes on intoxicating liquors? !?
Every other business and interest in the
kingdom has been, unconsciously it may
he, made into an Obstructive force TO any
reduction on the taxes of intoxicating
liquors.
"The proportion of revenue which Great
Britain derives from Intoxicating liquora
amounts TO something more than one
fourth o. The gross Ievenue of The kingdom,
and it has come to he regarded as fixed
and permanent part of the system. A
chancellor of the excheqneI would as suon
think Of interfering with the Crown itself
as with the liquor taxeH. Nor has this
economic condition been without ;ts effects
an the purposes and habits Of that people.
| The purposes all tend 10 maintain the
Traffic and the tax, and steadily but surely
the habit ni Use iias grown and the volume
Of consunpt ION increased. a knowledge
oil these facts, doubnless has induced the
manufacturers Uf, aud dealers ia, inioxI-
eating liquors IN This country TO take the
stnnd they have in opposition 10 any in
| reference with the iniernal-revenne taxes
imposed ON them. This fact of Isell
ought 10 arrest onr attention and enforce
on the suIj'ct. We are brought face To
ce with the most malign foe of organized
human society. Il il the one and only
thing with which local communities, states,
and the nation have to contend, that sub
oriii a:e every other nlerest TO the pro-
motion OF its own ends. II has no re-
ligion, no morals. no politics, except such
IN II can debase to its own purposes, 1t
has nuthIns IN common with amy Of thos
elements aud Conditions that are essentiil
10 the prosperity and happiness of a people
Shall we give IT the enduring support Of
making il necessary presence in oar rev
enue system? Thr question ID upon H.
now. We cannot avoid 1t # we would.
"In our consideration of this quesion
we can afford for time To omit The sen-
| limentalites which crowd upon the mind
at every mention of il. As question
affeclIng ouI economies aud politics it IL
bad enough. Ii costs our people nearly
$500, 900, 900 per year. This fact alone IL
great economic dislurber, for this va.I
expenditure IL never accompanied by any
counteracllng good II involves lhosv
habits Of waslelulness which prevent the
aquisitlUn OF homes and comforts by teur
of thousands oi our people who need both,
and who could nave them but for this ene-
my OF correct habits and proper econo-
mics. 1t il the nneompromising enemy Of
the best type Of manhood aud citizenship
| Whatever of good can he said Of il, il such
thing there be, can lie Offset by . mnlu
tude Of evils. Ii haH no conscience IN sln,
its movements, no mater what calamity
they p0rlend.
"Bnt it IL not worse in Tins respect than
| Il IL in pOlllics. II Ia lorcefnl presence
in this republic; but II has no politics
except i.s own, and no political conscienr e
to restrain its action. No matter VIA,
Of good may be moving in the political
field, this malign presence never sees any.
thing but ila own purposes. 1t inlermed-