The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-01
VOICE OF THEIPEoPLH.
A state Tax ON Liquor.

STATE Tax On tLiquOr.
To the Editor OF The Appeal
slr-From present appearance bill
repeating the internal revenue on distilled
spirits will be passed by Congress. Is not
this an suspicious time in Tennessee TO
continue the tax by State legislation, 80
that the people OF the State may get the
benefit OF the revenue from that source?
The United States receives from the man.
ufacture Of liquors about 100000 in
Tennessee. Suppose this could be turned
into the State treasury. 1t would pay all
current expenses and interest on the pub
lie debt. Should less tax be imposed
than that now collected by the Federal
Government, OF course in the same pro-
portion the present rate Of State tax would
be reduced-and the sinking fund TO pay
our public debt enlarged. What objection
can be urged to continuing tax on wines
and Whistles? The manufacturers do not
object to the present tax-it enables them
to keep down competition from small stills,
and for this they pay largely. II further
enables the people to better regulate the
collection OF large revenue, imposed
upon luxury, thus relieving the neces-
saries OF life, and benefits the great mass OF
taxpayers. The objection TO the internal
revenue was not so much the tax itself as
the mode OF collecting il, and the manner
OF Furnishing the violation OF the law. Our
people objected TO the enforcement OF an
excise tax by the General Government.
A direct tax 30 levied and collected was
N off 10.
But this feature OF objection being re-
moved, and similar tax levied by the do
nestle government, loses the objections
mentioned and may become OF incalcula-
BILE value 10 Tennessee at this time. Ii
may be argued that such tax would
place our manufacturers at disadvantage,
unless other States also adopted similar
policy To this we answer that our manu-
facturcrs may be protected by imposing
the tax on all liquors brought into the
State for sale. Certainly some plan or
scheme can be devised 10 meet the objec-
ton, and in view OF the great benefits TO
be derived, the wisdom of our legislators
should be strongly called on 10 take adj
vantage OF the opportunity aud formulate
some law on this subject. / know the
policy Of the two political parties in re-
gard 10 tho tariff is not in ac-
cord. Possibly the antagonisms and the
craftsmanship cngendered may prevent the
adoption OF this suggestion. But these
things ought 10 be ignored now, when
golden opportunity for securing such ben
eils is before Va. II would be an easy
task now TO continue the tax. II will be
n much more difficult task TO impose il
after the price OF distilled liQuors aud
wines has bpen cheaDenod The NV nm
luxuries, TO the relief OF necessarics oil life,
is fundamentally Democratic, as claimed
by the party in our late political cam.
paigns. Why not carry out the principle
by taxing this luxury II, as claimed by
many OF our people, Il Is the cause OF
crime and vice 10 use or manufacture in
toxicating spirits. then let II pay the PEG.
pie for the expenses and costs produced
thereby. II such policy IL pursued-our
people being relieved from heavy taxation
all other industries stimulated and
encouraged, there will dawn upon
us an unparalleled era Of ros-
pcrity, before unknown in Tennessee.
II requires pluck and courage for some
Legislator 10 take hold Of this policy and
press II before the Legislature. IL is to lie
hoped we have some such spirits at Nash
vile, vino can be relied on 10 do so. And
you, Mr.. Editor. with your able Journal,
can do great service In pressing the matter
before the public. Now IL the moment
and the time, aud II Is 10 be trusted that
before the Legislature adjourns, should
Congress open the way, coup a. elat will
have solved the tax question In Tennessee
Tor many years. Very respectfully,
JouN j. DUPUY.