The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1933-09-01
HATED TAXES

There was no word more hated by the American
masses during the 18th century than "tax." The peo
pie had been reused to fight against England because of
the cry of excessive taxation. And here the new
government greasing its long thumb to shove down
other tax what with the tax SALT COAL sugar. snuff
boots, Coffee ETC. From end of the country to
other the tax collectors and the cursed
heartily. Several states out with strong resolu-
tons against this whiskey tax.
The government removed the tax from the smallest
whiSkey stills in Virginia and North Carilina. But in
Pennsylvania where there at least 5000 stills the
farmers refused outright to pay the IA per cent tax
The Pennsylvania farmers broke out in rebellion.
In western Pennsylvania wAskey the circulat-
ing medium. With his gallon of whiskey the farmer
could buy Whatever ne needed in town. 1t was difficult
for him to put his grain into flour hogs. Roads
deep ruts through mountains and forests Distances
to towns were extremely long The Mississippi
closed him because of the Indians Conseuuently the
farmer was forced to dstil his grain into whiskev
which could be easily handled Whiskey sold for so
cents gallon west of the Allegheny mountains and
dollar east of the Mountains. farmer could load
packhorse with two kegs (16 galons) and go to town
and back with salt which cost SIS bushe and iron
which cost from Is to 20 cents pound
COLLECTOR HORDES
The excise tax filled the country with pussyfooting
officials petty Spies searching private homes the way
the British agents had done These collectors
powered to make arbitrary seizures They paid fat
salaries and brow-beatng arrogant lot. The law
benefited the large distilers ard farmers who were
able to pay the tax It compelled the small farmers to
take their grain to them.
Farmers failing to pay the tax were served papers
by the marshal They were forced to go to Philadelphia
hundreds of miles off to charges. This meant
business of months The small farms were not worth
more than from $1,000 to $4,000. When small farmer
left his place in the hands of his wife and small chill
dren, he stood good chance of coming back to find
himself faced with the prospects of losing his place.
Large meetings were held in the four west
ern counties of Pennsylvania with population of TO-,
600. The people were mostly Scotch-Irish, proud,
hearty lot who had sent two regiments to serve in the
Revolution They meant to to it that the promises
made in the Declaration of Independence kept.
They sent resolutions to Congress protesting the tax and
Its administration Congress tapped back its deaf
DEMOCRACY ANSWERS
THE Whskey Boys then tarred and feathered
few OF the most vicious of the collectors They followed
the procedure they had learned and been encouraged to
use during the Revolution. They appointed committees
OF correspondence to the country against the tax
They marched with the militia to the home of the Ex-
else Inspector This was whom the people had
formerly elected to public office They Disguised
with his greediness in accepting such dirty job They
demanded to know why writ had been served against
certain farmer The Inspector refused to answer He
ordered his Negro slaves to fire them Several of the
farmers killed and wounded.