Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1855-05-09
THE REVENUE LAW.

We understand that an impression prevails to
some extent that there is difference of opinion be-
tween the Attorney General and the public Treasu-
rer as to the tax merchants, imposed by the new
Revenue Law. We are authorised by the Treasurer
to say that there is no difference Both concur in
the opinion that the merchant merchant-tailor and
je,celr pay tax of ne-fourth of per cent upon
all purchases made for toelre months preceding the
first April last
1t was the opinion of the Attorney General that
the sellers of liquors and drugs, whether they
be merchants or not was to be estimated from tho
10Th of March last that is, upon the capital employ
ed in liquors after that tme 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 constructon-he being the law officer of the
State, and it being highly important that there
should be uniformity in llecting the taxes.
We re-publish below the opinion of the Attorney
General, above referred to:
RALEIGH, March 80, 1855.
To d. W. CoURrs 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 or Cor
dials, is demandable by the Sheriff in the
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 on the value of certain Drugs and
Medicines.
The tax of five hundred dollars on all agencies of
Banks having corporate existence out OF the State,
is not affected by subsequent provision in the same
section declaring that if "the tax is not paid in ad
vance, the 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 on 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 or otherwise and was
intended as a tax all capital that had escaped the
notice of the act
| The woodwork of vehicles must be entirely man.
uactured in this State to entitle the persons dealing
in them to the discrimination in favor of State man.
| ufactureS.
Permit me- in conclusion, to say, that the circular
administration of the law; and it gives pleasure
to express my concurrence in the general directions
which it contains. Of course general rule could
be expected to apply to the various details of tho
act. without some modification. trust that the
suggestions which have made will tend to antic
nate some of those difficulties. / have not beer
without great doubt in constituting the questions sub
mitted for my consideration for the law, in many
points, is confused and have thought it right t.
/ adopt a rule liberal towards the citizen.
am, very respectfully, your obedient servant.
NJ W. RANSOM,
Attorney General of n. G.