The Louisiana populist. [volume] (Natchitoches, Natchitoches Parish, La.) 1894-1898, 1895-09-13
SURTREASURY PLAN.
DISTILLERS AND BANKERS EN-
JOY ITS BENEFITS.
Farmers Asks Much Less From the
Govern msnt Than Is Now Granted to
the Wealthy Distiilers-

The report of the commissioners
shows that on juno 80, 1889, there
were 4576 registered distilleries, and
4349 were in operation. The amount
OF grain used was 20. 1890, 1924 bushels,
and the number of gallons of spirits
produced was S7,SS7, 4i6. The an
nual expense OF taking care of this
branch of the internal revenue SER
vices was fully s2.600,0O0 The
average amount OF spirits warehoused
for the past three years Is about 90, =
600. 900 gallons, besides 7,465, 900
gallons held for overd ue taxes, making
In the whole about IS, 800, 900 gallons
upon which taxes have not been paid.
The amount OF this tax would be SOC. =
100000. The above facts are given
simply TO show what our government
has done and Is doing for class of
its citizens, and by inference to in
quire why it should not extend simi-
lar privileges, only In less complicated
form, to the agricultural classes of
the country. The subtreasury plan
asks far less OF the government than
is now granted TO the distillers. As
1t is. the deposit OF spirits can remain
in the warehouse for three years.
during which time government cares
for it at cost OF 81, 600. 900 per year.
or $500, 900 for the legal term. That
is. the government really advances
$500, 900 before legal demand
could be made foe tax. The distill-
er has nothing to pay for the govern
ment employees; he only pays the 90
cents per gallon tax. When spirits
are put in the warehouse "a bond is
given for the payment OF the tax. and
certified copy OF the whole
transaction is given the distiller.
This copy OF the deposit is good col
lateral security at any bank,
and to-day fully $70.000,Oo0
OF credit currency is obtained upon
this class OF securities, and why not?
The bond assures the payment of the
tax and the government is the Gus
todian OF the property. The sgeing
of the liquor pays the interest; also
when it is sold the dealer pays the
tax. In this manner the distillers OBJ
tain the use Of this vast sum of money
absolutely free. Is it unfair to ask
that the farmer may have equal priv
ileges with the distiller? Is not
the farmer worthy OF as much consid-
Grafton from the government? Why
cannot the farmer be permitted
to take his grain to government ware
houses for safe keeping? The distil-
Ter IL allowed to do SO after the grain
has been transformed into spirits.
The banks have u credit with the |
government OF over S20O. 900. 900 that
returns them profit; the distillers q
credit OF so. 900. 900 that costs them |
nothing. Why cannot the farmer
have q credit that he is willing to pay
for? The subtreasury plan contem-
plates the same line of legisla-
tion. only much less complica-
ted and far more satisfacto-
ry. The same statutory laws
that now govern the warehouseing !
of spirits, with but few amendments,
would apply to the subtreasury sys-
tom. The innovation upon law and |
custom would cut no figure. 1t vio-
lates no organic law and establishes
no new precedents. There are 4349 |
registered distillery warehouses,
which is more than double the num-
ber Of sub-treasuries that would |
be required to carry out the sub
treasury plan for many years. The |
cost OF conducting them could cer-
tainly be no more. Here is found a
system already in force that. with
few amendments. would meet the re-
quirements OF the subtreasury plan.
The proposed plan is. therefore, taken
from the province of theory, and be-
comes simply question of applica-
tion. The people demand its trial.
and their demsnds are sure to be
needed in the end. d.--National Watch
man.