Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-05-05
THE REVENUE LAW.

We understand that an impression prevails to
extent that there is difference of opinion be-
tween the Attorney General and the public Treasu-
rer as to the tax on merchants, imposed by the
Revenue Law. We authorised by the Treasurer
to say that there is difference. Both concur in
the opinion that the merchant merchant-tailor and
jeaoeler pay tax of fourth of per upon
all purchases made for tsoezUe months preceding the
first April last.
1t was the opinion of the Attorney General that
the tax on sellers of liquors and drugs whether they
be merchants or not was to be estimated from the
10Th of March last that is upon the capital employ
ed in liquors after that time, and upon the sales of
drugs after that time; aud the Treasurer caused the
letter of the Attorney General to be printed and cir
culated, expecting the public officers to conform to
this construction-he being the law officer of the
State, and it being highly important that there
should be uniformity in collecting the taxes.
We re-publish below the opinion of the Attorney
General, above referred to-
RALEIGH, March 80, 1866
To D. W. Courts, Public Treasurer:
SIR: have the honor, in reply to your note on
the subject of the Revenue Law, to submit the fol-
lowing opinion:
The tax of five per cent. to be levied on capital
employed by persons selling Liquors, Wines Cor
dals, is demandable by the Sheriff in the same
ner as the tax Merchants-is to be estimated
from 10Th March, 1856, and is the only tax imposed
on such capital except that for license to retail
And so with regard to the tax of twenty-five per
cent. to be paid the value of certain Drugs and
Medicines.
The tax of five hundred dollars all agencies of
Banks having corporate existence out of the State
is not affected by subsequent provision in the
section declaring that if "the is not paid in ad-
vance, the same shall be two hundred dollars" That
provision applies to Insurance Companies and their
agencies.
The 22d section of the act imposes tax of ten
cents every hundred dollars employed in any spe
cies of trade not specially taxed, and applies, with
out distinction, to all capital employed in trade,
whether the same be in articles of the growth or
manufacture of the State otherwise and was
intended tax all capital that had escaped the
notice of the act.
The woodwork of vehicles must be entirely man
uactured in this State to entte the persons dealing
in them to the discrimination in favor of State
ufactures.
Permit me- in conclusion, to say, that the circular
you issued was very necessary to secure a uniform
administration of the law; and it gives me pleasure
to express my concurrence in the general directions
which it contains. Of course no general rule could
be expected to apply to the various details of the
act, without some modification. trust that the
suggestions which have made will tend to antici-
pate of those difficulties. I have not been
without great doubt in constituting the questions SUBJ
mitted for my consideration for the law, in many
points, is confused; and have thought it right to
adopt a rule liberal towards the citizen
l am, very respectfully, your obedient servant.
NJ. w. RANSOM,
Attorney General of n. G.