The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1864-12-22


saying of gold and silver should be done at
government Offices, by officers appointed for
that purpose. To this end The license fee
may be raised so high that assaying on pri-
vate account would become impossible.
The government might even purchase the
bullion at a discount sufficient to constitute
a reasonable tax Some such arrangement
would secure to the miner fair price for
his bullion, aud perhaps check its exporta-
tion. .ta ea5s ..s.... ..f..,. ,5',I, ~.
@-1 TAX ON PETROLEUM.
The Commissioner suggests tax oftwo
or even three cents per gallon on crude Pc.
troleum oil, aud thinks that the imposition
Of such tax, with the reduction o. the tax
on refined petroleum. from twenty cents per
gallon to fourteen or fifteen cents, would
yield a larger revenue than is now resolved
aud also he beneficial to small disrillers. .i..
nv. BOOKS. 13a{s9l q.
g. The report dwels upon the difficulties in
the way of reaching the persons to be taxed
for the manufacture of books, and says SONS
change III this part of the law is a necessity.
a. The question of taxing railroad iron is
carefully discussed, the report showing that
in the year ending June, 1854, the iinporta-
ton was about one half the amount made
in this country that our own mills are able
to make all we need and suggests whether
the conditions which invite such heavy im-
portations Of an article which gives employ.
ne,lt so largely to our own skill and capital
do not deuland legislative action in support
of the interests of the revenue. especially i'll
view of the decreased home production
which they Indicate ~ 9.i ao.Iiiisl
- TAX ON REAL ESTATE .l-a s.'o
A rule requiring the tax on real estate to
be assessed on its rental value, would be con-
'venienty practicable. and woulI obviate the
necessity Of the vexatious inquisitions now
required in ascertaining the comparative
value of live stock at different periods Of the
year. The Commissioners is unable to see
WHY a man who consumes his income
should not be taxed for it as well as one who
saves it nor why one who lives in his own
houses houd not be taxed on it's rental value
as much as if he let to another and put the
rent i'll his purse, 1t may he deemed right to
allow the occupant of his own homestead
such a portion of its rental value un assess
ed as would suffice to pay the rent of
moderate dwelling, the access Of the annual
value of homestead above that SUN might
be tuxed. An allowance of three or four
hundred dollars might not be unreasonable
while the same amount should be allowed TO
lessor of real estate for rent actually paid.
s MISCELLANEOUS. r..,.5a....
The Commissioner recommends revis-
ion of schedule of stamp duties so as to reach
solne.rew Objects and equalize the duties
already imposed. a a-o8. "a.
The want ofsummary and inexpensive pre-
cess for the recovery of small penalties and
for procuring Judgment of forfeiture of small
lots of contraband goods seized by collectors
is much complained OF, and he suggests the
enactment of provision for these cases. .pl
| The repeal is recommended of the provi-
| SO in the one hundred and sixty fourth Sec
ton, to the effect that when any imported
articles mentioned III schedule q are sold in
| the original package the person so selling
shall not be srbiect to any penalty for want
| of proper stamps a.ne y4 ,lf 3
| Thereport recommends the extension of
the provision for removal of goods under
Transportation bonds and for warehouseing,
for expectation to other products than spirits
oil aud tobacco. ~" .af @ u. na.
Questions as to the time and manner of
making returns are discussed at length, and
changes recommended in portions of law
bearing upon this subject so thatpo tax
payer may be required to make returns Of
tener than once month. ..4
Various changes in the administrative
portion of the revenue law are suggested or
recommended, aud numerous instances
pointed out wherein the law is at varla nee
with itself. zas .aa l.u
PAYMENT OF THE DEBT
The Commissioner closes with statement
showing that if the war were to end leaving
us a debt Of four Thousand millions OF dol
lars, and an annual expenditure of nifty per
cent more than in the year preceding the
war, our present revenue law would yield
enough to pay the current expenses OF the
nation, including the six per cent. interest
on our debt, and leave a surplus VI ich wo'd
extinguish the debt in ninety years, even
with our present production and population;
and in half of that time at our present pros
pective increase of production and popula-
ton. This rate of taxation is cleerfully
borne 10y patriotic people during the great
struggle for the nations life; but on every
reasonable theory Of the future il is far be
yond all probably needs, and may with safe
U IN. considerable reduced when the war il