Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1904-08-13
PUTS TAX ON BRtWtRIEs
License Bill Goes through West
Virginia Senate.
RANK BROKEN IN The HOUSE
Republicans Precipitate Ho' Debate on a
Pending BilI-N. E. Whitaker
Quits Republican Parry.

Charleston. W. Va, Aug 10 The
senase has passed substitute house bill
No |, known as the license tax bill.
one OF the most important measures
which will be considered at the pres
emit special session One of the fea-
lures of the bill is the provision relat-
iaQ to the liquor tax. in that it will
require outside brewers and distiiiers
doing business in West virsinia to
take out license similir to that i'm
posed upon those within theSstate.
The basis uron which she tax will be
laid is cents per barrel up ito 10000
barrels. Above this the tax is grscu-
ated accordine to capacity of the
brewery o. distillery from $500. the
minimum, to $1,000 on q capaity of
100, 600 barrels. The bill will affect
Ohio and Kentucky and Pennsylvania
brewers aud distillers, as it is said
that fully one-hslf the amoaDt If beer
alone consumed in West Virginia is
shipped in principally from Cincin-
matt, Columbus. and Pittsbura.
CAUSED WARM DEBATE.
The bill was made special order,
and when it came up as amended a
hot discussion ensued. Senator Robin
son, floor leader of the majority,
warmly advocated it's passage. while
few OF his republican colleagues and
some OF the minority leaders opposed
Immediate action on the measure, and
favored its postponement in order to
give time to furthur investigate its
provisions. .s
The session of the house was EN-.
livened BY the split In the republican
ranks over the pending bills relatiug
TO the state humane institutions. The
revolt of Monday over tie pas age of
the Home for iucurables bill was
further Emphasized when the measure
relating to tlie reform school came up.
Delegate Cunningtiam, republican, Of
Tucker, led the fight against the fea.
ture of the bill requiring the mainten-
ance of the inmates of the reform
school by the counties from which
they are received, or FROM the rela-
tives of the inmates, if thew are able.
He was verv severe on the majority
leaders for welding the party lash on
some of the pending measures. Judge
Reynolds, floor leader of the majority,
cham pioned the BILL which, when
pat upon its passage, got through by
a narrow margin, six republicans vot-
ing against the measure
The bill creating the office of tax
commissioner and prescribing his
duties, was passed by the ssenate and
sent to the house for concurrence.
GREGORY EXPLoDES A BOMB.
Charleston, W. Va, Aug. l0.-Dele-
cate Gregory (rep }, of Tyler county,
exploded a bomb in TIE house session
When Ine license tax bill with the
senate amendment placing license
tax of from 5000 to Sc. 900 on distillers,
brewers aud wholesale liquor dealers
came mp for concurrence. The amend.
ment is is a blow at outside brewery
:. rterasts, imposing graduated license
.+.v, the maximum figures being fol-
,.s, with 10000 barrels ca
pacity.
Its passage ID the senate was DIT
terry fought. Senator Harmer and it,
4csher opponents ob5eetine 70 'ns ca
6acity classification ana favcrtoe ma
tax of six cents per Barrel. MT
Gregory charged that the Schfnalbacs
& Reyman brewery int crest 81 Wheel
ing had been asserted in the rroGnei
tiou of the senate amendments and
declared that their adoption would DO
tplainiY in the interests of these con.
Germs aud tend to create West Vir-
Gina mOapoly.
Judge Reynolds motion that the
house refuse to concur in the amend
Gnents aud that conference committee
he asked for was opposed by Mr..
Gregory. who assisted that the matter
be- full aired on the floor of the house.
The motion, however, prevailed and
three delegates-Reynolds. Caldwell
and Morton-were appointed on the
.confereee COMMITTEES for the house, the
senate naming Senators Caldwell,
Harmer and Robinson. Senator Har'
mer fought the amendments when she
measure was being considered in Che
senate. theirs on the conference com