New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-06-08
THE UHLSKY TAX.

| The discussion of Mr. Schenck's Tax bill has
not been without effect in this city. 1t is be-
! lieved that the tax on whisky will be reduced
! to dollar q gallon, because, as admitted by
| Representatives in Congress, the Government
has been unable to collect the tax on any con-
siderable proportion of the quantity of whisky
produced. A humilating confession for GOV
eminent that repressed Rebellion of million
of men VA arms Whether the change in the
| mpOSt on manufactur~ will effect change i'll
! the operations of distilleTs, who, Gov the past
three or four years, have been schOolca
in the practices of fraud by the var-
Gus revenue officers has yet to be seen.
| Perhaps the bill may provide for better
method of collection than that heretofore eX-
listing. The horde of inspectors should be
abolished; they have grown fat on the frauds
which they have fostered for the impOverish-
ing of the National Treasury, and their whole
official life is one of continued concern as to
how they may best deceive the collectors or
assist them in wrong doing. Heretofore, asses
sors were obliged to know the amount of
whisky produced by each distillery. In how far
they or their agents discharged this duty, the
facility with which distillers could throw their
whisky on the market, without the payment of
the tax, tells the story.
On Saturday distilleries in this section ceased
working. Their owners, at the present prices
of whisky, cannot afford to run. Bonded ware
houses are filled with the article dealers will
not purchase more than is actually necessary
for immediate use. The market is well sup
piled, too, with the "tax- paid" article, offered
freely at 81 % a gallon. Whisky could be
manufactured to-day for 10 cents a gallon
yet there is not distiller who has his estab-
lishment above ground but pays at least so
cents gallon, the 100 per cent increase on cost
of production going to revenue officers for the
privilege of running and selling without the
payment of the tax. A decreased taxation Will
it is to be hoped, remedy these evils.
On Saturday, the United States Court con-
demned about $4,000 pounds of tobacco found
at the intersection of Navy and Raymond-sts.
the machinery on the premises is valued at
$4,000. Two illicit distleIies were seized, on
Saturday in Brooklyn-one at the intersection
of John and GOld-sts., and the other at No.
13S YOrk-st Both were in operation, and each
had capacity of $50 gallons. A tobacco fac
tory was seized on Saturday at Greenpoint. l.. l.,
because of being in arrears in the payment
of taxes to the amount of 1897. A keeper is
in charge of the premises.
So far, indeed, as New-York is concerned,
the frauds Oh the revenues have been reduced
| to science. We believe one Court has pun
ished an offender, but here in NewYork the
Offenses are committed with impunity Col.
Bailey, for instance, has arrested any number
of fraudulent dstillers, but not one has
been brought to justice. District AttOrney
| Courtney does not seem to know that
there are revenue laws, and the energy of
| Col. Bailey does not give us any material re-
! suit outside of a few newspaper paragraphs
| What has Sheridan Shook done in his district
| That gentleman seems more anxious about i'm
| parchment than collecting taxes. We look in
vain to find the slightest effort to collect the
tax, and the greatest obstacle is the President
| of the United States.
In view of these facts we implore Congress
to persevere and finish the tax measure. Let
our friends resolve not to let the whisky thieves
have their own way. The duty should GER
tainly be placed not lower than 81 gallon.
If we cannot collect that, we cannot collect any
| considerable duty whatever.