The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-08-16
SI,oo YEAR, IN ADVANCE.
Friday, Aug. 1G, 1889.
British Gold For American Brew
cries.

6Tl0Bs
1t is now generally known throughout the
Union that English capitalists are investing
millions of dollars in American breweries.
The full significance of these investments is
moi seen on the surface. In truth, so rapid
has been the purchase Of this property, that
we have as YET had little time to study its
influence on American life. The object OF
this article is to lift warning voice, by
considering calmly, and intelligently, the
history, aims, and relations Of these invest
ments TO our institutions.
As early ss Nov. %, james q. Blaine
sent letter to The Press of Philadelphia, in
which he opposed plan being discussed by
Republicans of that State and advanced a
plan of his own for dealing with the liquor
traffic. 1t was briefly this: Let the Federal
Government raise revenue from the man.
ufactnre and sale of spirItuous and malt
liquors; then distribute this to the Estates
in proportion TO their population" Under
this scheme, Mr.. Blaine says:
ut makes the tar on spirituous and mall
liquors a permanent resource TO all the States,
enabling 3hem thereby definitely to readjust
and reduce their own taxation. 80. In your
State of Pennsy lvania, where licenses sup
port the State government, the cities and
towns could receive pro rata the $500, 00O
which would fall to your share. Your city
of Philadelphia would receive nearly ST.
nnn NOR oppum Tho Tendency
would be TO increase rather than diminish
this ratio as time wore on"
Mr.. Blaine had doubtless just arisen from
careful study of English methods, for this
is the English system as nearly as it can be
applied to American institutions.
Robert Mackenzie says in Tile Nineteenth
Century of this English system:
"Another thirty years have passed, and
our method Of taxation no longer presents
any features of injustice. The net expendi
ture of the nation is about e75 100000 o
this huge sum { lOO00,OOO is levied on in,
toxicating drinks and on tobacco; 97,G00
0OO is levied on tea and sugar; the balance
is contributed by the wealthier class in the
form of income-tax, stamp duties, and
otherwise"
This is the English system which Mr.
Blaine remodeled for Americans. The
Pennsylvania plan opposed by Mr.. Blaine
was dropped, and every Republican pape,
of any importance in the nation began t.
work for High License system. In other
words, they began 10 work in the interest Of
British methods. Great Britain has care
fully watched the progress Of, this discussion
and now believes that we are on the eve Of
adopting the Blaine programme.
Ena land has tried the High License
scheme for about four hundred years. and
raised e40, 900, 600 per annum out of about
975000, 200, and the saloon is permanent
source of revenue, such as Mr.. Blaine said
il would be here, if tried. English capital
lists know from centuries of experience, that
if re can be induced TO adopt High License,
no better source of revenue can be found for
the surplus. When America decides 10 make
the saloon traffic its source of permanent
revenue, the English capitalist knows that
his income is as permanent as Our nation
This is the key to the the investment OF
British millions in American breweries. II
we adopt as OUR national policy High
License system, the investment of capital IN
this class Of property will be more profitable
and secure than like investment in railroads,
factories, or mines.
1t may be urged that this is desirable
That these millions thrown into the chan.
nels of commerce will ease the burdens OF
tra,le. That all this will be used to develop
the resources of the country.
Even if we admit that under ordinary
circumstances it would he desirable to invite
this capital to our shores, we shall soon
learn that, as it is coming, it will prove the
greatest danger which has ever threatened
our nation
John P. Grant of Detroit, agent for these
English capitalists in that part of our coun-
try, speaks with certain official authority
Here what he says:
'That country (EnglandD is full of money
that is lying idle waiting for profitable in
vestment, but the average Englishman must
see his way cleaI through a thing before he
can be induced TO go into it. AS proof Of
this. the promoters for whom am working
will not touch brewery in which they fail
to see clear profit of 10 per cent on the
cash invested"
He also remarks that, lone of the pro-
motors for whom am working is a member
of Parliment, while all are men of great
wealth."
Not only are the breweries falling into
the hands of these English capitalists, but
the saloons are also being purchased In
Detroit few days since block was Pun
chased by an English syndicate. The prop
erty includes brewery, offices, malt-house
and fixtures, together with some twenty
saloons in various parts of the city. These
saloons are to sell exclusively, in the future,
the beer manufactured in this brewery.
The Chicago Times Of June 10 publishes
an interview with prominent Chicago
brewer, in which he says.
"You do not know, 1 suppose, that of the
1000 saloons in Chicago and vicinity at
least so per cent are controlled by the
brewers. Well, such is the fact. The