Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1866-02-09

amount on hand paid only the previous ia
of 20 cents a gallon. The commission thin
tax of one dollar gallon will produc
: more revenue than a larger tax would
Gross frauds on the revenue prevail now
which must be guarded against by new
enaciments. They present bill for this
purpose, which they admit does not in some
Of Its essential features suit "a portion Of
the distilling interest of the country, and
their opposition to it may be fairly ex-
pected." They add:
The securing Of large revenue from distilled
spirits in the United States is absolutely neces-
sary to insure the successful carrying out Of any
| plan for simplifying the internal revenue sys-
TEN and relieving the general industry Of the
country fIom a burden Of taxation which must
inevitably result in disaster No industrial in
teresi in the country can better sustain the bur
| den of taxation than distilled spirits. The
precedents Of all other countries are uniform in
iayor Of taxing ;pirits to the maximum conss-
tent with revenue and while any relaxation Of
the law on the one hand, does not benefit tie
consumer, its stringent enforcement with q re-
gulatiOn Ofthe business Will not diminish the
amount which appetite or Industrial necessity
demands FOR consumption. If il be urged that
the bill as reported by the commission IS too
restrictive Of small private interests and as i'm
posing large additional restrictions and expenses
upon all engaged in the busness, it may be re- 1
Piled that the amount Of good which must ine-
Viiably accrue to the whole country by the
Course recommended-ifth the same will insure an
enforcement Of the law aui the collection OF the
reyeaue-is sufficient to justify disregard Of
the interests ofa comparatively small number Of
individuals The commission, therefore, ex-
press the hope that Congress Will not too reldi-
ly listen to the appeals Of those who are more
anxious to subserye their own interests than the
Interests Of the country.
The commissioners propose to have a
great number Of articles now taxed, and
which bring in comparatively small
amount with much expense and yexatiJn,
exempted from tax altogether, and many
retty licenses abolished.
The stamp system proves very productive,
md by far the largest portion of the income
rom it is from the sale Of small priced
tamps, Of one and two cents each. The
match manufacture, which rcquircs one
ent stamp on a package Of 50 matches,
bsorbs an immense amount. One match ,
during the last SIX months,
sci stamps to the value of Slos $50.
Tie important subject Of frauds on tic
ovenue is also treated Of and thorough
avision Of the system is urged. The impor- :
lnce Of making the tenure Of Office in many /.
lscs connected with the revenue service Fl
ornament "a thorough competency fox the f
lace being made sure) instead Of as uuccr- f.
lin as any thing can be, a. the practice Il
lw Is, aud of disconue,ting it with political s,
laii0ns, l. presented with force Many O.
pies Of this able document We cannot now 70
ludc to. We are sure j, mus, produce a tr
rong impression on the minds of members ''
Congress and on intelligent citizens gene II
lly. t,i