New-York tribune., 1868-03-04


Uncle SAM who is in need Of money 70 pay the interest
the debt piled up TO bis Government, and TO pay
the necessary expenses OF running the machine nom
think there should be no exemption Of oo or OF any
sum All should pay, as all arc projected IN me- hpeity
citizen aud attention to his duties eut of this
great cy than who goes tax ee Schools are open
TO all. and taxes should be assessed upon all. Il.
THE WHISKY TAX AND THE REVENUE OFFICERS
THE DEALERS VIEW.
To TIE Editor Of The Tribune
SIR: The tax on whisky is 60. The market price
of whisky for the year has been about 81 5O To talk
OF stopping illicit distllaton and whisky frauds as long
as this garng and shameful discrepancy exists is
waste OF breath and every effort In that direction
disposng of his stock below cost TO maintain his credit
and solvency. Who is responsible for this deprecated
price OF whisky Who and what Is the cause that honest
distng has ceased to be business, and tho evasion Of
the law has become study and science The Revenue
Ia their crazy and indscrmlnate hunt after whisky
the Revenue Officers have completely destroyed all title
TO and certainty in this species Of property NO one VIII
invest in any merchandise if ho be utterly powerless TO
defend and protect his Investment And who can nam
tain claim to whisky under this senseess a"' ana It's
more than senseless construction. ,,. -.
Under these rulings, to forfeit and condemn spirits t
s only necessary to prove seizure TO convict AZ - only
necessary TO arrest Brands inspection marks, colec
tors tax receipts the removal OF the WHISKY ron tne
all go for nothing The claimant must prove direct
SS open market though the article has lost its
and all possible means u Identification since Leaving the
hands. An utterly Impossible regu,TSmSMSI
Every barrel Of spirits thus the mercy OF revenue
officers with eye to legal or illegal moietes, aud wen
have they improved their opportunity.
Like the wild Indian who needs only to throw his asso
10 secure his victim and ransom the revenue officer
needs but to cast his longing eye on Darre ana inc ran
som Is sure.
With such law and such practices any trade must de-
cav and the demand for and trade In spirits III this city
is greatly decaying. Destroy the trade in and demand
for article you destroy its marketable value ana It's
marketable value destroyed 1t must soon disappear from
the list of tax-paying commodities 80
It always suicidal TO attempt by law 70 interfere with
the demand In other words, 10 regulate the price OF
a article of commerce.
Gold with one bound trampling the laws OF Congress
under foot crept 20 the highest point IN spite OF repessVe
legislation The laws OF supply and demand are as set
tied and mmutabc the laws OF nature and these laws
teach the simple proposition, that to enhance the
checked, while the demand and market for the same
must be left untouched and uncontrolled.
IL is astonishing that this first and simplest principle OF
political economy has yet been acted on IN the ad
mnstratfon OF the whisky laws and the consequence ls
price for spirits, and no tax on spirits. .
Since the organization Of the Department not only the
manufacture OF spirits has been stnGenty smrded, Dnt
the sale and traffic In spirits has been feered and made
burdensOme TIE check the supply and Increase the de-
mand should be the policy OF the law and Nc depart
ment and as soon this common sense innovation is
introduced the price of the commodity must inevitably
rise above the tax and the ability TO pay the tax cOnse
0uently increase To this end the nosng after whisky IN
the market must be stopped even though u DC 70 he ais
comhue of revenue officers, who regard the whisky mar
kct throughout the Union as legitimate prey Tor theil
longing appettes and the attention OF the Government
should DO exclusively and rigidy turned to the dstliel
to check the supply by preventing the escape OF 's
contraband article. ~ 80 p -