Washington sentinel., 1900-12-15

callY destroyed. 1t can never b'
justihable from a revenue stand
point to kill the cow that givesth,
milk.
Beer is the cheap and wholesome
beverage OF the common people
whether rich or poor, In so far a!
it is a substitute for drinks which
contain a higher percentage o
alcohol it is a distinctly temper.
ance agency. As the consump.
ton of malt liquors has increased
in the United States the consump.
ton of spirits has decreased, and
with this decrease the cause oil
temperance has advanced. To fur
ther that cause should be the en-
deavor oil legislators. 1t is not
being furthered by the imposition
OF a ruinous tax.
With $50. .ooo, 900 oj surplus
money in the Tr, asury, and with
the fair prospect OF decreased ex-
traordinarY expenditure, there
should be small likelihood that
Congress will be content with the
reduction OF only $40. 900, 900 in
internal revenue taxation sug-
gested by the President. The
stamp taxes are annoying, and
have been largely shifted from in
tended to unintended taxpayers:
but they are Tor the most part
readily borne. The beer tax is ex-
cessive and paralyzing. If, super
added to the injustice OF the tax,
it can be demonstrated that the
revenue derived thereIrom is
merely piled up as treasury sur
plus the brewers will have still
stronger grounds tor the relief
lhev insist upon.
The reduction bill is now under
discussion in the House. In view
OF the action OF the Republican
conference held last Monday, when
il was finally decided to refuse any
further decrease in the beer tax,
there is no use in looking for any
further relief to that party.
The friends Of the brewers are
preparing, however, for a sharp
fight on the floor OF the House,
and they believe that they have
warm friends on the Republican
as well as the Democratic side IN
the Senate. Representative Rup-
pert, of New York, has conferred
with number of prominent Re-
publIcans in the House, who are
in favor OF larger reduction on
beer and has received assurances
that from 80 to 40 Republicans
would vote for an amendment,
either wiping out the whole OF the
war revenue increase Of IS cents
net or reducing it to about S1.ao
per barrel, in defiance OF the party
whip, il they are given an oppor-
tunity.
1t is proposed to have one OF
them offer an amendment rather
than to have il come from a Dem.
ocrat, but the whole Democratic
vote is counted upon in les favor
and would be sufficient, with forty
Republicans, TO overcome the mar
row Repu lican majority in the
House. Several members OF the
Ohio delegation, including one of
those most prominent in party
management, the members from
St. Louis, Chicago and Cincinnati,
and many from other States are
counted in favor Of large reduc-
ton on beer,
lt is SAID in private, by some OF
the friends of the brewers that their
Republican support may evapor-
ate when party lines are drawn in
the House, 1t is also said that
probably 10 Democrats will desert
their party on this question when
IL comes to a vote. 1t is said too
that it is doubtful whether an op-
portunity will be given for direct
vote on further reduction OF this
tax.
These are all contingencies to
be looked out tor, and in proVid-
ing against them brewers them
selves can take hand and help
their own cause. Let them write
and telegraph their representatives
in Congress urging them to stand
firm Tor repeal and to cooperate
with all friends Of repeal regard
less Of party lines. Every endeavor
is being made to make it appear
that their cause is hopeless
pecially by advocates OF other
measures who see in the retention
or slight reduction OF the beer tax
additional hope Tor their schemes.
1t is even asserted, in an attempt
TO force brewers into accepting the
rate offered without further oppo-
sition, that the Senate committee