Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-11-21
THE WINE MEN.
The Viticultural Protective
League.
ITS OBJECTS ARE EXPLAINED.
An Address to Vine Growers and
Wine Manufacturers--The
Case Stated.

WINE ManuIactufefS-I
Case Stated.
The Viticultural Protective League OF
California has issued an address which |
will be published simultaneously in
most OF the papers of the State and will
be sent to all the prominent vine grow
ers and wine-manufacturers and dealers. |
This association came into existence
about two weeks ago in q meeting of
vine and wine men held at the Chamber
of Commerce rooms. At meeting
held last week provisional constitution
and bylaws were adopted, in which the
following were set forth as the objects of
the organization:
To foster and encourage the production
OF pure product; to disseminate infor-
nation for mutual benefit; to concen-
trate effort to secure just Interpretation
of existing laws and the repeal of those
that aIe unjust and oppressive; to en-
deavor to protect ourselves against dis.
elimination of all kinds, but especially
to protect the weak against discrimina-
ton because they are weak; to assist
and encourage every honest producer to
take manly stand for bis constitutional
rights against encroachments from all
quarters.
The officers elected at this meeting
were: President, J. De Bsrth Shorb
Vice President, Robert Barton, OF
Freeno; Treasurer, j. B. Lankershim
Directors, J. De Barth Shorb, Ramona
Alfred Brigden, Sierra MadIe; f. Q.
Bichowsky, San Gabriel; Charles Stern,
Los Angeles; George II. Maxwell, San
Francisco.
Following is the address which has
been issued:
To all auho are interested in the acine and
grape industry of California:
The undersigned desire to call your at
tention to the organization of the WITH
cultural Protective League of California,
and to set forth the causes which led to
its inception and come of the reasons for
its formation. With this object in view,
permit US to submit that the end and OBJ
iect of an enlightened government is the
prosperity and happiness of it's people.
For this purpose governments were
instituted and all the laws enacted should
be in conformity with this idea. The
rulers by right divine in the past, even
with large standing armies, marshaled
to enforce their mandates, could only &C.
cure quiet and successful reigns when
their laws and the administration OF
them secured in some measure the con-
tentment o. the subject. Bad laws and
worse administration have through
out the worlds history been attended
with grave internal disorders, oftentimes
ending in revolution, violent, bloody and
destructive. After centuries of trial of
the patriarchal, autocratical and mixed
systems, finally the American Govern
ment was born, the powers vesting in
the people themselves and for many
years the founders of our system and
their immediate successors, guarded with
jealous care the new born Government
from any encroachment of powers not
specially delegated by written law.
The highest human judgment, coupled
with an enlightened patriotism, gave to
us our trinity of government-the legis-
lative, judicial and executive-and while
CO. existing ard co-equal within their pre-
scribed limits, made them independent
of each other, and ordained them to for
ever remain go. Back of this stands our
Declaration of Rights, as the organic
form of our national existence, and it
must remain the controlling influence to
the end. The price of liberty has grown
no cheaper in it's unlimited enjoyment
by our people. Eternal vigilance" is
now, as ever, necessary to preserve our
liberties and transmit them to our child
rem.
We view with alarm any departure
from our established principles or
methods, and as loyal, loving citizens of
our country, we would respectfully but
firmly call the attention of the repre-
sentatives Of the people TO our grievances,
and for the abatement of which this
league is formed.
We solemnly protest against the in
tsrnal revenue laws, as now interpreted
and enforced, as violating our trinity
principle, in placing in the hands of one
officer the combined powers of the legie-
lative, judicial aud executive branches.
We would respectfully set forth that
under the present internal revenue laws
and so-called regulations, the Commits
sioner % can and does exercise the law
making power, inasmuch as his so-called
regulations. which are subject to daily
changes are given the sanctity of the
law; ~ be judicially determines ell
questions arising out Of the law and his
own regulations, and (S) finally enforces
the penalties for all alleged violations.
We would respectfully demand for the
citizen whose avocation brings him
under tie control Of the internal revenue
laws (any infraction of which, technical
or otherwise, subjects him to possible
confscation of his home and incarcera.
tom, written laws, that, knowing them,
he might obey.
We denounce the spy and informer
system, which gives percentages to the
spy and informer out of compromise in
money dragged out of the terrified pro-
Queer to save himeelf from greater evils.
We would submit that for many years
past the Government has recognized the
wine business OF California as legiti-
mate industry. and heretofore has not
placed the brand Of outlawry on the
citizen engaged in it.
Not as producers only, but as citizens
Of the Republic, We protest against
domiciliary visits or visits of inspection,
where unauthorized by statute, by ire
sponsible revenue agents, and against the
claim OF the right of search by said
officers without the process of law.
Under wise and fostering care, the in.
dustry has assumed vast proportions has
become the leading industry of the State,
and is fast receiving that recognition at
home and abroad which the excellence