The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1897-07-10

II would have been borne by the beer
manufacturers, who had been prosperous
throughout the years of industrial stag
nation. But continued Teller, "a
great election was pending in one OF the
states where a large portion OF the voting
population did not believe in tax on
beer. so it was sacrificed" Teller argued
that there were other methods of raising
revenue without laying inordinate taxes
on the necessities of life. He said he had
once been greatly impressed with a re-
mark of Allison to the effect that we had
in this country more untouched and I'M
taxed means of revenue than any other
country in the world. Teller commended
if the finance committee was looking for
revenue. from $2O,OO0,000 to $25,00O,OOO
could be obtained by reduction of the
internal revenue tax on whisky to the old
rates. or even lower His argument was
tnat the high tax of $ll0 a gallon, which
was in reality a tax of 1900 per cent,
stimulated illicit distilling. Teller charg-
ed that wood alcohol makers were close
lv connected with one of the great trusts,
in fact. one of the great manufacturers OF
wood alcohol was owned by trust. 81
might as well name it" said he, ~ Is the
sugar trust, which has boosted chat 1t
possessed strength enough to prevent
wood alcohol from being placed on foot
/ ING with grain alcohol and of preventing
reduction of the tax on distlned spirits.
The distillers of spirits have been threat
ened. They had been told: Gentlemen.
if YOU interfere with wood alcohol we VIII
reduce your bonded period to nothing.
/ The whisky men feared the vengeance OF
the powerful combination against them.
Have we not the skill or have we not the
| courage to take the $20,00O,OOO revenue
which is offered to us here?' asked Teller
Have we reached the point where the
American congress is powerless to do Its
duty as it sees it"
Lindsay Arraigned the Trusts.
Lindsay followed with severe ar
raignment of the wood alcohol trust
which he said was reaping millions
year by the duty of $3.50 per gallon on
its product on the one hand, and the high
internal revenue tax which it did not
have to pay on the other.
Allen criticised the amendment as de
signed to provide a partisan tariff com
mission which could be relied upon e
make jug-handled report.
Spooner defended his amendment
which he said Allen had either not reaC
or had completely misunderstood. Spoon
er denied that the secretary of the treas
ury would under his amendment have thu
power to suppress any portion OF the re
port submitted to him. The commission
would furnish information, which n
hoped would have beneficial results.
White thought the proposed commits
mission would be unwise. He thought thi
amendment was declaration of the fail
ure of the bill.
Gallery criticised the methods OF max
inc up the commission.
Allen contended that the populists paI
tv, which. he said, was growing rapidly
should have representation on any tart
) commission.
Morgan opposed the commission amen
ment on the ground that congress had Ii
right to delegate its powers. He drifte
: seizes the pile of the people" said D.
"and divides it among the politicians an
= their friends"
+ Allison briefly answered the criticism
= on the Spooner amendment and then sa
Il that in view of the opposition develop'
the committee would withdraw Il
II amendment, as it was not felt to be su
; fciently important to further delay Il
: bill.
g A new amendment by Morgan w
r agreed to, without opposition. authori
e ing the president, when he is statistic
I that it is to the public good, to suspel
l. the operation of the law as to discrin
&c mating tonnage duty on merchandise
e commodities, or the vessels of foreign II
Is tions carrying the same.