Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-06-10
The Internal Revenue Taxes How the new
BILL Affanta diffarant Intereata

The exposition made by Mr.. ScheRck
| in the House OF Representatives,, on Mon
day, of the new internal revenue bill re-
ported from the Committee of Ways and
| Means, was very full; and as it affords
light as to the proposed taxation upon
the various interests to be affected, we
| give, in addition to what has heretofore
appeared in our regular congressional re-
port, theannexed interesting statements; ;
| Mr.. Schenck proceeded to show what
effect the bill would have on the cost of
collection, and stated that the bill pro-
posed to abolish the system of whisky and
tobacco inspectors paid by the distillers
aud manufacturers, and to have their
duty performed by storekeepers to be
| paid by the Government. The saving in
| the aggregate cost of collection he esti-
| mated at $689,970. The committee had
matured o system of supervision. In
stead of special agents. the committee
proposed that in every judicial district
| there should be supervisor of internal
revenue; but, instead of being wander.
ing officer, he should be a responsible
man, properly paid by the Government
having fixed office, and whose duty it
| should be to supervise, look after, attend
| to, and report upon the conduct of all
local revenue officers within the district.
Even he, however, would have TO refer
the case for final action to the Commits
sioner of Internal Revenue, who is TO
make all the appointments and thus the
system Of responsibility, from the head OF
the department downward, was to be
maintained. RsJ la
As to manufactures, he said that the
| policy of the committee accorded with
the general policy indicated by Congress
in the passage Of the act OF 3lst OF March
last, and with the fourth resolution in the
Chicago platform. That act, however,
exempted breadstuffs and unmanufac-
tured lumber; but this bill omitted that
exemption. The committee had made
the tax on sales as to the great body of
manufactures one-fifth Of one per cent
| Exemptions that we're to be made in
| manufactures would be matter TO be
discussed thereafter; hut they had ex-
empted from the general tax the one-fitth
of one per cent on manufactures OF cer-
tain Injuries, as, for instance, the manu-
facture Of fine confectionery. Those
were charged six-tenths of one per cent
on all over $1,000. Ornamental jewelry,
one per cent on all over $4,000, and Oh
gold and silver ware, firearms andpisnos
the committee had charged half of one
per cent. -
In regard 10 special taxes, the special
tax on hoteis was graduated SO atlArge
hotels like the Astor House, the Fifth
Avenue and Willard's Hotels should be
taxed mnch larger in proportion than
small hotels
In regard to foreign brokers, he said
there is class of gentlemen VINO come
from Europe aud take rooms at some
hotel ia New York or Philadelphia, who
have no office where they can be taxed,
but who. with samples, negotiate for the
sale Of millions Of property These
foreign commercial brokers shall pay for
their tax $1,000, and shall be put into the
peuiteasisry il they are found exercising
their vocation without paying the tax.
Inow, said be. touch briefly upon the
subject Of tax on distilled spirits We
have provided hstreiailers shall be elias
sifed, and shall pay, according 10 the
amount of their business, s25, $50, 500,
| $500, $1,000. severaIly. for their licenses.
and We have defined aretsil dealer 70 be.
not ess Who sells certain amount Of
liquor, but Who sells liquor in quantities