Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1922-10-13
WHEREIN THE MILLS OF THE
GODS, THOUGH THEY GRIND
SLOWLY, GRIND EX.
CEEDING FINE.

Manufacturers Record, Baltimore, Md.
In 1894 there was an uprising In
Pennsylvania, known as the "Whiskey
Rebellion" against the enforcement
of the excise law which had been en-
acted by Congress in March, 1871, on
domestic spirits. The attempt to en-
force the law was followed by wild
excuses, stormy times and riotous
violence, the federal revenue officers
In some cases being tarred and feath-
cred. so aggressive became the vio-
lators OF the law that in order to crush
what reached the magnitude of re-
bellion against the government Wash
ington sent large military force into
Western Pennsylvania against these
law vioIstors. One of the most prom
inent leaders fed to New Orleans and
others were tried and convicted OF
treason, though subsequently par
doned.
A somewhat similar condition de-
veloped In 1852 and continued for ten
years following the enactment by Con-
gress of tax on whiskey.
In the "Whiskey Rebellion" in 1894
and between 1852 and 1879 the activity
Of the liquor interests against the en-
forcement of these laws was, in pro-
portion to populations, greater even
than fis the present fight against the
Volstesd act and the 18th amendment.
In regard to the situation prevailing
between 1852 and 1872, the New York
Journal of Commerce, one of the FORE
most OF the commercial publications
OF the country and which IA not pro-
hibition advocate, gives the following
interesting facts:
''In the year 1851 whiskey was not
taxed, and the price fell as low "a 13
cents 9 gallon In the Cincinnati mar
ket. In fact, a. one OF our early eco
nomic writers remarked, 'previous to
1880 q man could undoubtedly get
drunk In the United States with less
expenditure of money than In any part
OF the civilized world Due to the tax
needs Of OWL War time, Congress
laid tax of 20 cents per gallon by the
act of July 1, 1852, and later raised II
successfully to go cents, $3.50, and
even % per gallon by December, 1854
It 10 interesting to note that 1t was
found by careful investigation that
during the succeeding six years up to
1858, only about 10 to 20 per cent on
the average Of all the whiskey manu-
featured In this country ever paid any
tax at all. Even as late as the yeart
1871 and 1872 the whiskey ring and
other scandals In our national admin
istrstion reached point of rascality
and open dishonesty seldom equslet
even by the palmiest experiences OF
the bootleggers of the present day
During the years following the expos
ure OF these scandals there was /,
gradual stiffening up i'm the interna
revenue service, with the final result
that, with the exception Of certain
districts of especial difficulty, the ex
else laws were enforced with compar
alive thoroughness and efficiency. II
the light of this experience, 10 or 1
years is not too long period to at
tain the efficient enforcement OF an.
prohibition law, and probably NOR
time will be needed for stringen
measure such as the Volstead act,
ever 1t IL to become effective"
The lawlessness of the liquor traffic
Its murderous activities and its effort
to control politics, as in the scanda
days OF 1852 to 1872, when the reputa
lions OF many public men Were foreve
ruined. il only in keeping with th
lawlessness of the present. But i
crushing these activities the mills O
the gods may grind slowly, but in tn
end they grind exceedingly fine, an
forward and buries forever in ruin tn
regulations Of the liquor interest ad
YoCotoe.