The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-03-21
TAX.
SENATOR BOwsER ARGUES THAT
1T Is UNJUST.
Clear Discrimination Against the
South and West in Favor of
the East, He Snfd.

Austin, Texas, March 20.--Mr. Bowser
in supporting his resolution against the
recent tax on oleomargarine, said
1.-THE tax on oleomargarine levied by the
government OF the United States is more
onerous and burdensome on the people OF
the South and West than the tax on tea,
/ which led to the war with our mother
country. and when it is remembered that
almost all products in this country are
protected by duty OF 30 to so per cent,
1t VIII be seen that 1t is more unjust.
| why should tho cotton and beef pro-
ducts of TIE South and West be taxed from
- 70 80 per cent, while the Northern and
Eastern manufacturers ard producers are
protected! is 1t just? Is it right You need
not tell me that the dairymen of New
} ORR ar the swine ralsers Oh Illinois should
be protected against the lower priced
ol'oWargarne made from the oil OF our
cotton seed, and the tallow of our cattle;
I chemical analysis shows that 1t Ia purer
aud more heathful than ordinary butter,
and it should not be egislated against.
AIR. Morton, late secretary Of the United
states agricultural department. says: Per-
snhalIy, l am opposed to all that sort OF
legislation called special ana many Of
me statutes relative to oleomargarine and
oplterine have been OF that character
and adds either OF these substitutes for
approved by the public palate sufficiently
TO create demand. ought 10 have as much
rlght In the market the best Jersey but
l,r' If not sold under a false nomenclature
No objections can be raised against Il on
the ground Of public health. for it is whole
SOME as well as palatable.
The objection, Mr.. President and gen
temen OF the senate, is the price at which
IL can BE- sold in competition with lard and
daliy butter Is 1t right to levy this tax
upon the cotton and beet producer Of our
section for the protection and benefit OF
the dairymen and hog raisers of another
sectionE II the discrimination was against
me people Of some foreign country we
might not complain. but the injustice is
10 our own people and by our own govern
ment. The law that works this Injustice
should he repealed. The general govern
hent might, with more justice, levy tax
against kerosene oil In the interest of The
'ailow candle. Why not prevent the uso
OF electricity as motive power which has
largely taken the place OF horses and mules
able?
'Oieomargarlne furnished To tho poor
ana those of moderate means a hcalthml |
ana palatable food. and II IS wrong to tax |
either lhom or the cotton growers or cattle |
raisers for the benefit OF any other class
ot american citizens
GOOD butter can take carr of itself
lard can do the same and congress should
see that no class Of citizens, no Interests
u our people is Disseminated against
=. FROM n Sutherland particularly a
ieNas siandpoint-this tax is unjust.
Ninety per cent Of the ingredients used In
re manufacture OF oleomargarine Is from
ne two principal products Of 'roxas, cotton
'nd cattle. interests In which the people
u Texas have invested hundreds OF mil
ions.
we have about one hundred cotton seed
~ mills with an investment OF more than