Washington sentinel., 1900-06-02
CITY, D. c.. SATURDAY, JUNE2. 1900

surely as this surplus remains II
the vaults OF the Treasury so surely
will its influence be felt in bushes:
circles, and at a time when Con.
gress will be powerless to relieve
it. Such a condition arose last
October, and not only retarded
our prosperity at home, but inn
paired Uur prestige abroad.
"It has been stated that those
who appeared before the commit
tee were anxious 10 have the taxes
removed from the particular indus
Try which they represented. Natu-
rally that must have been the OBJ .
| ject of their visit. One class ofthe
business people Of the United
States, however, who appeared be-
fore that committee deserved es-
pecial consideration at III cir hands,
because Of the unsel6sh patriotism
which they exhibited in the pay
meut Of taxes during the late war,
and because they have cheeriully
continued the payment OF the taxes
imposed during the lamentable
Civil War. At the outbreak ofthe
Spanish-American war, while pro-
testing against the double tax on
their commodity which it was pro-
posed to levy, the brewers of the
United States recognizing that it
was the duty of every citizen TO
stand by the Government yielded
gracefully to the demands and con.
ditions existing at that time, and
during the first FIVE months Of the
existence Of the tax, contributed
over 40 per cent 10 the revenues Of
the Government. Not only we're
they required to pay an increased
tax, but to meet decrease in the
consumption Of their commodity,
which Tor the five months referred
to amounted to I,25o,o barrels.
While it may be said that the con-
sumer contributes to the payment
OF the tax imposed by the Govern
ment, it should be borne in mind
that the decrease in consumption
caused loss to the manufacturer,
at time when every other indus
try was prospecting, and when he
had every right to expect a share
of the general good conditions then
existing.
"In no other country is the tax !
on malt liquors so high as it is in |
the United States today, and while |
the original tax has remained con-
slant, the price Of beer has steadily !
declined, until now it is just about |
half of the price obtaining when !
the original tax was levied. This |
industry has been seriously affected |
by these taxes, and every industry /
identified with it has suffered in 4
proportion. Coopers, farmers, |
manufacturers of bottles, wagon /
builders, in fact every business de- |
pendent upon this industry for an !
outlet OF their goods. How long |
this condition will continue to last, |
cannot be told from any statement |
Of the Ways and Means Committee,
but the latest inforP alton we have
concerning the repeal of these
taxes, and indeed the only one, is
that a bill may be framed that !
may be brought in next Decem- |
ber, and in the mean time this
industry must co ntinue to pay their
double taxes, see their business
decrease, and be expected to keep
up the price OF wages.
"In their name and in their behalf /
l wish to protest against the fur
ther continuance OF the war taxes
and to demand its prompt repeal |
and the restoration OF the surplus
to the people 81 New York and
every other State. The House |
has been in session for six months, |
and not the slightest effort has been |
made to reduce taxation or to full |
fill the pledge given that these war
taxes would be repealed as soon as
the war was ended. The bill which
| introduced II. X. 64eo sought to
decrease these taxes and still leave
sufficient in the Treasury to meet
the demands OF the Government.
l believed then that the act should |
be reduced by sixty millions OF 1
dollars. l believe now that it
should be repealed entirely. That
is, so much oiitas relates to purely |
war revenue taxes.
This can be done with safety i
and could be ACCOMPLISHED before |
we adjourn il there was the slight
est disposition on the part OF the |
majority OF this body to take the
matter.up. The minority cannot !
pass such a measure as would re-
lieve the people, however ready |