The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-03-22


1t Is not often that the spectacle is re-
vealed of an individual raising his voice
in protest against what he conceives TO be
a public wrong, when his action involves
his own possible pecuniary disadvantage.
Yet such a spectacle is presented to view
by citizen OF Minneapolis.
Importers of alcohol for use in the arts
are engaged at this time in endeavoring
to secure legislation which will
result in transferring to them
from the national treasury large
sums of money which they claim to
be entitled to as rebates under the pro-
vision of certain tariff legislation. On its
face at least the claim of the manufac.
turers has seemed to the G b e to be
we'll founded That the rebates have not
been made is concededly because the sec
rotary of the treasury did not, as the law
said he might, prescribe the regulate
under which the moneys would be re-
funded It certainly would not require
much straining of either intellect or con-
science to convince any man who would
be entitled to such rebates that he was
being treated with injustice In having the
rebates withheld from him.
But that Is just what Mr.. j. c. Eliel, Of
Minneapolis, refuses to be convinced OF,
Notwithstanding that the granting of the
rebates by the government would put the
neat sum of 800 in his pocket Mr. E.iel
is wholesale druggist, and is also presI-
dent of the Minneapolis Board of Trade,
and has denounced the proposal to refund
these moneys to the claimants as a big
steal. His position is that the wholesale
dealers in alcohol for use in the arts
never gave to the consumers through re-
duced prices the benefit of the rebate, as
it was designed by the law they should
funded. And that having charged, as they
doubtless did charge, the increa sed
amount without regard to the proposed
rebate. Mr.. Ellel says that the importers,
including his own firm, are not entitled to
the money they are In pursuit of.
The closing words Of public interview
with Mr. Eiiel on this subject are en-
titled to be reproduced here. There Is a
sturdy, independent and upright ring in
them that must sound pleasing to the dis.
interested ear. Here is what he says on
the personal aspects of the case:
Our firm. on the advice of an attorney,
has saved all the stamps on alcoholic
drugs and kept the records of the same
Our claims will aggregate $500, which
must be allowed If the bill is upheld.
From the standpoint of justice we are in
no wise entitled to it. Wholesale drug
glsts all over the country can, In that
event collect a greater or less amount
from the government. The only way JUS
tlce can be done IS to let the law stand
as it Is now construed. The manufacture
ers have already received all that s right
fully due them, and there Is no reason
why they should receive any more. They
We're not taking any chances on the law
from the outset and did not run the risk
Of losing on reduced prices. OF course
our firm VIII not refuse to accept $500 If
1T IS presented to us, but ! certainly pre-
fer that right shall prevail in this as
I'm every other case"
II the wholesale druggists who have
made this claim Of rebates are TO main
tain their demands they must meet such
sentiment as this and count with such a
spirit. Otherwise they viii fail to con-
vince the country of the justice of their
position.