New-York tribune., 1896-12-11
THE RAINES INVESTIGATION.

That the Ranes Liquor Tax law has been
success as revenue measure cannot he denied.
In that regard II fulfls at least one OF lis pnr-
poses and juslfes It's title. But 1t is something
more than that. For the tax 1t lays IS unusual.
In comparison with the taxation or other Dusi-
ness occupations and trades it IS excessive.
There is a reason for this, of course II there
not. II would not be justified. as 1t certainly
is. by public opinion. And the reason Is that
by common consent, as the result or ages OF
experience. the business Of quOr-selling IS rated.
in the phrase Of the Insurance companies, as
eXtra-hazardOns. Ii Is Of nature that calls Tor
special restrictions and mere rigid supervision
than almost any other occupation. It's extra
hazardous character Is due TO the accepted ana
ncontrOvertible fact that the sale OF intoXlcahts
promotes pauperism and crime. Is perversive OF
social morals. and its logical consequence Is
ppcuniary burden TO the community when Is
taxed for the support of paupers and the main
tenancc of police and law courts for the prosecu-
tlon Of criminals and suppression OF crime. Be
ing thus the cause of increased taxation. the
Justice OF imposing upon the traffic a greater
burden than Is borne by other less harmful pur-
suits Is universally recognized. Because its re-
srictiOn Is in the interest OF temperance ana
good morals more than for the sake of the reve-
nue. derived from II. II has the support OF the
advocates of temperance. But for their sup
port il could not have been enacted and probably
could not be enforced.
1t was regarded by this class OF CiiZens-and
they are believed to constitute majority OF the
voters-as a temperance rather than tax law
Whatever complaints have been made or It's
operation have been not on account of its failure
to raise revenue-fOr in that respect II has Deeh.
as already said. a success-but because 1t has
failed TO restrict the liquor traffic to the extent
hoped for by the advocates Of temperance. They
say that somewhere either in the careless word
ing Of the act itself or in the machinery OF lis
operation and enforcement, there are fatal de-
fects. The objective point Of the investigation
now in progress by the Ranes Committee Is. II
we rightly understand it. to discover and locate
the difficulties and devise remedies The reve-
nue. provisions having operated to the satsfac-
ton of everybody except perhaps. minority
of the liquor dealers themselves. IL only remains
to amend the law in such manner as 10 make IL
more effective for the promotion OF temperance
and morality by stricter enforcement or by some
other means which may De indicated In the
process of investigation.
At any rate, the law is very imperfect as II
stands. SO much is universally conceded. The
purpose of the investigation is. or should he. to
amend it in the interest Of temperance. This
being So the course Of the inquiry and the con-
duct and language Of the men who are pursuing
it should. above all things. he temperate in the
broades, sense: deliberate. free from passion.
calm. judicial The chairman Of the committee
needs to remember this. Nothing is more COM
mon as we are we'll aware. than for the earnest
and sincere advocates Of temperance. even In
the pulpit. to indulge in Incorporate denunca-
ton and the language Of exaggeratOn. But
Senator Raines and his colleagues do not appear
in this matter as advocates. They are engaged
in what should be dispassionate judicial in
quiry That Senator Ranes should have par
donable pride in the success Of the measure
which bears his name is not unnatural. But in
his official relation in the conduct of this investi
CATION. in his examination Of witnesses. and
even in his unofficial comments upon testimony
in casual interviews. he should. above all things
be careful to avoid showing anything like resent
ment Of the criticisms which have been passed
upon the law and its operation. And he should
espcC ay avoid utterng anything that can be
construed into a threat Of what he will or will
not do or the Legislature will or will not do. by
way oe Furnishing hostile critics or any class OF
citizens affected by the law. That is not only
foolish but dangerous, thing TO do. The great
body Of voters resent anything that has the APP
pearance of an attempt at intimidation.
Senator Raines should keep in mind the fact
that his present function is not to vindicate the
Raines law. but to fnd remedies for defective
statute. Also that Incorporate language Is out
of place in discussion Of remedies for the evils
| of iniemperance.