Washington sentinel., 1900-11-17

Brewers can bear testimony to thi
so far as they are concerned whei
they recall that the old tax of S
was itself a war tax imposed By
the Republicans, and while every
other relic Of the Civil War haC
been erased that was neve
touched. 1t looks now as il they
are for the second time going tc
realize the truth OF this assertion
at the hands OF the Republicans. Il
will be long day, if ever, before
beer will see a 81 tax again.
Will there be a Reduction at alli
Not il Mr.. Payne speaks for his
party, and there seems no reason
to doubt hIm, for he came straight
from an interview with the Presi-
dent and may fairly be presumed
to have expressed the latter's
wishes, Besides, it is we'll known
that manufacturers OF patent prep
arations, druggists, etc, will make
hard fight for the repeal of the
tax on their goods. The stamp
tax on checks is about the only
one that tails on the rich and cor
porations. A powerful lobby will
be on hand to look after their in
terests. The tax on legal instru-
ments, kilograms, express pack
ages and host Of smaller items all
will have strong support for their
repeal. With the exception of
legal instruments, the tax on these
items is small, rarely above one
cent, aud this will be one Of the
main arguments for their repeal.
1t will have weight too, notwith-
standing their total will more than
wipe out the proposed reduction Of |
SIS, 900, 900. Where does beer
come in7 Evidently, notwithstand-
ing all their promises beer does not
figure in the contemplated SIS, ,ooo,-
900 reduction OF the Republicans.
And il we are to accept Senator
Proctor as authority for the other
house OF Congress, beer is not in
it at all, That gentleman says
''the most important and impera-
tive legislation is the increase of
the regular army" An army in
crease gives no promise of beer de-
crease
When TO all this is added that
he Republican programme Tor the
coming session includes a bill for
he completion OF the Nicaragua
Canal (SGo, ,ooo, 900 being appropri-
ted to begin operations, the final
;ost to this country to be SI4o,
100, ,ooo), the passage of a Ship
bill with another expen
liture estimated at S2oo, 900, 900, ,
a 5, 900. 600 per annum for army
Increase and other items equally
ostlY, 1t is plain that il brewers
scape an increase of their burden
hey will have much cause to be i
hankiul--certainly they haYe
mall hope for a reduction. So
much for Republican promises! Z
Is there any hope7 1t is no ex-
ggeration TO say that there 90 I
representatives who owe their [
lection to brewers support-not
TX OF whom are on the Democratic /
ide- This is unfortunate, Tor il a
he House were Democratic a
heck could be placed on Repub-
Ican extravaganza and means |
ound to compel the Republicans
D carry out their promises to the
re wers.
Those members elected by brew a
RS aid are in honor bound to con-
ider the wants OF their constitu-
nts even above party. Their votes i
dded to the solid Democratic t
ote will form majority. That
Majority can prevent adverse and {
laY even force favorable legisla- {
on. Can the union be brought
bout1 II there is anV sense OF {
ratitude in those Republican /
MEMBERS elected by brewers votes I
hey should be willing to enter r
ito such alliance, the more so as
he object will be to force the pay {
lent of debt contracted by their
wn leaders and for which they are /:
n a measure responsible.
The obstacle in the way will
rise from apostolic disinclination t
I the Democrats to favor such a c
cheme. That party has little to {
hank the brewers for. In season
nd out Of season the Democrats {
ave fought the battles OF the lat t
er and their reward has ever been {
he same--ingratitude. II they \
an be persuaded to overlook past I
reatment it must be for coed i
easons. I
There are measures proposed
y the Republicans which Demo a