The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-05-23
beer TAX MEASURE PASSED
Carried by One Vote in Excess Of
Constitutional Majority.
THE PHILADELPHIANS OBJECT
They Consider the Tax Upon Malt Liquors
Unfair and Unjust 10 the Thirsty
Public at Large
Store Bill Passed.
THE PHILADELPHIANS OBJECT
Special to the Scranton Tribune.


measure was 1oi, or only one more than
constitutional majority The nays
were 6S. The opposition to the bill made
hard fight to prevent 1t from going
through the final stage and are well
pleased with their efforts. They are
confident the proposition will be killed
in the senate.
The bill was taken up in the house on
final passage at the morning session.
Almost the entire session was given up
to debate on the question. Mr.. Bliss,
of Delaware, the special champion of
the bill, in support of its passage gave
the house some information as to the
enormous profits of brewers. He said
one bushel of grain will produce more
than four gallons of whisky. The same
amount Of grain will produce eighty
gallons of beer. Mr.. Bliss said he had
been Informed by reliable authority
that the actual cost to the brewer of a
barrel of beer was only 81. while it sold
anywhere from So to So barrel. The
tax of 81 cents q barrel would amount
to but l cent on twenty glasses. This
certainly would not work hardship to
the drinker.
Mr.. Merrick. of Tioga. made strong
plea for the bill. He said the railroads
are objecting to carrying any more bur-
dens because their traffic is falling off.
He claimed there was no article which
could more easily stand a special tax
than beer. Mr.. Ritter, of Philadelphia,
said the proposed tax was not in har-
mony with the true financial policy of
the state. For this reason he was op-
posed to the bill. Mr. Ritter did not
believe it was right for a state to tax a
commodity. He would be panied, he
said, to see the public schools main
tained from a tax on intoxicating
liquors. After the state had once taxed
beer it would turn to some other COM
entire gamur.
The Onakcrs object.
Mr.. Sallinger., of Philadelphia, spoke
against the bill on the ground that
the tax was unfair and unjust. He was
followed by his colleague, Mr.. Nickel,
who claimed the agricultural members
favored the bill because it would force
burg to pay S5S1 ,203 in addition to the
$50, 1Oc, which they now pay for license,
thus affording the countrymen an OPP
porhunity to get more money from the
treasury for road and schools. Mr.
Nickel claimed the bill was unjust be-
cause it disseminated against the home
brewers, as large quantities of ale, beer
and porter are shipped here from other
countries put up in bottles and casks
on which the state could not collect a
tax.
At the close of Mr.. Nickell's speech
cries of question" question" went up
from every part of the chamber. The
cries became so vociferous that the
speaker directed the roll to be called
Toward the close of the roll call II
became evident that the bill lacked the
necessary votes to pass it and the ex-
element became very great.
The excitement was intensified by
Mr.. Mackrell, of Allegheny, question
ing the roll. He said Mr.. Talbot, of
Chester, was recorded as voting aye
when he was not in the house when the
roll was being called. Mr.. Talbot ap-
peared in the chamber at this stage, and
being given leave to make a statement
said he was in the house and had voted
in the affirmative. The vote now stood
1903 to 70. Mr.. Wannemacher, of Berks
said he was recorded as having voted
in the negative when ne had voted aye
The chair ordered the CLERK to record
| Mr.. Wannemacher's vote. This gave
the bill 1O4 votes. The change was re-
| ceived with vociferous applause.
Company store Bill Passed.
The Orme company store bill passed
| finally by a vote of 122 to 12 The mea.
ure imposes tax of ten per cent. upon
the face value of all orders, checks
divders, pass-books or other paper rep.
| resenting i'm part or whole of the earn.
ngs or wages of any employe given
| him In payment of labor and not re.
deemed in lawful money within thirty
days by any person, firm, partnership
copartnership, corporation or associa.
ton engaged In any king of manuftur.
ing, mining, transporting or transmit.
ting business. A penalty of twenty.
five per cent. Is also imposed upon al
| or refusing to make return to the audi
tor general of the amount of all sucr
orders, checks, and so forth issued ant
not redeemed in cash in thirty days.
The order of business at the after
noon and evening session was wen
through without debate and with yer,
little opposition. These bills passed
this stage.
| Garh Bill Discussion.
| An animated debate was started by
Senator Finn calling up the religious
garb bill which was yesterday defeated
| The vote afterward was reconsldered
and action postponed. Senator Flinr
amended the title to conform to the
body of the bill, and Senator Kaufman
then offered an amendment exemptinl
from its provisions Dunkards. Quaker,
and Mennonites. In support of this ht
said that there people have a peculiar
| dress which is part of their religion
that they cannot take 1t off and teacl
| In the schools without leaving tht
churches. Senator Finn objected anG
Senator Kaufman then moved to 90
| into committee of the whole for IN,
purpose of special amendment Sena
tor Coyle moved to amend this so as
| to make 1T for general amendment. TIL,
senate voted the amended motor
/ down. Senator Coyle then moved to re
| consider the vote by which the bill
passed third reading, but a division
showed only seventeen senators for thi
motion and twenty-one against It
Senator Lands then asked unanimous