Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1893-01-08

WASHINGTON, ID. C., January I-Ino
subject OF the proposed increase OF tho
whisky tax as a means OF speadtly provid-
ing additional revenue TO meet the possi-
bility of Treasury deficiency in the early
months OF President-elsct Clevsland's ad-
ministration has not received at the hands
of Congressman the attention which might
have been expected in view Of the agitation
of the question in many parts OF the coun-
try.
A quite extensive inquiry among mem
bers OF the House, In which any proposed
scheme OF revenue legislation must origi-
nate, shows that large number or them
have not given the matter must consldera-
ton, aud that many OF those who have con-
sidered the subject 10 some extent have not
formed definite opinion as 10 their course
should il be necessary for them 10 act at
this session of Congress.
No steps will DO taken In the House IN
reference to this question until the sub
committee Of the Ways aud Means Com
mittee, about 10 investigate the condition
of the treasury, makes It's report, which
will furnish the necessary basis FOR action.
Some OF the Democratic members show
disposition TO raise the rates or sptrituous
and fermented liquors and tobacco Tho
more conservative OF them propose TO
make the tax on distilled spirits 81 per gal
lon instead OF fl.25 as proposed. Al the 81
rate they say there would be little Induce
ment for owners OF spirits In bonds 10
withdraw them, while the increase would
bring TO the treasury $lO,OOO,O0O. Others
prefer the higher rate, and will favor
bill containing provision including IL.
MR.. SPRINGER SAID
that the WAYS and Means Committee bad
not considered the subject up 10 this timo.
The committee is now engaged in IN inves-
tigation as 10 the condition OF the Treasury
of the United States. The Secretary Of the
Treasury is preparing n report la response
10 the inquiries submitted 10 him by the
subcommittee having the matter IN charge.
When his report is received and the inves-
tigation is concluded. the condition OF the
Treasury will be known. III IT should
appear that there would be
deficit at the close Of this fiscal
year or at the close Of the next June 80,
1894, IL will be the duty Of the COMMITTEES
10 determine how and upon what articles
the additional taxes could be raised. In
view OF q possible deficiency &She papers
have discussed the propriety AyeasssS
tho tax on whisky / do nCt~knOw tho
opinions Of any members Of the committee
as TO the propriety OF such a measure,
There are many difficulties In the way
of increasing the tax on whisky. There
are perhaps l40, 600 900 gallons now In bond
or over years supply for consumption.
II the tax Is put on that which Is 10 DO
manufactured after the passage OF the Dill,
there would be no whisky taken out upon
which the higher rate was imposed until
all OF that now in bond was taken out
Hence no increased revenue would be OBJ
tanned for over year, but If an efiort were
made TO increase the tax on
THE wmsKEY now IN BOND
il might all be withdrawn at 90 cents
gallon before tho bill could be signed by
the President and become law. This
would force perhaps a hundred million
,Iollars into the treasury at once, and then
there would DO no taxes paid upon tne
newly manufactured goods until the stock
on hand had been consumed.
This plan would collect years taxes at
once. but the effect upon the business OF
the country OF the Immediate withdrawal
Of slOO OOO. 600 from the banks might 70
disastrous In view OF these facts, am
not clear ia my own mind as 70 what
ought TO be done. The matter should re-
ceiye careful and mature consideration be
fore action Of any kind taken.
Representative Wilson, OF West Vir-
ginia. q n member OF tho comittoe, Abid'
II don't think ~ viii be done In ADVANCE
of q general tariff revision. There Is
enough whisky IN bond, ] am told, 10 last
for eighteen months. IL would DO oil taken
out of bond before tho increase OF tax went
into effect, the Government would not get
auy additional revenue on this whisky and
the market would be supplied for months
70 come"
Representative Turner said: "T have
not looked into the question Of how an In
crease OF tax would affect stocks on hand,
or how much there Is on band
Representative Burrows said; MY
judgment Is that IL
WILL not BE TOUCHED AT THIS SESSION.
The committee has not yet been asked 70
consider the Scott bill"
Mr. Reed did not caro- 10 speak about the
matter Just now.
Representative Mcmillan: 'It Is impos-
siole 10 tell yet whether II VIII DO neces-
sary toincrease the whisky tax this session
or not. ia advance OF the ascertainment or
the condition OF the Treasury. j don't
think II would be wise 70 increase the rev.
euues from any source beyond the require
rnents Of the government. but Injuries or
things that people can do without are very
uroper sources Of revenue
MIR. Hopkins, OF Illinois, Republican
member Of the WAYS and Means Commit
tee. said: 81 am opposed 70 the increase
Of the tar on whisky az present. Tho
revenues Of the government arc now sum-
cient 70 support II, and don't see Why We
should anticipate the action OF the Demo
cratic party. an 10 favor OF letting tne
Democrats take tho responsibility OF the
entire subject after the 4th day OF harcn'