The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-12-06
The following table Ia submitted, showing the ne
receiDts from revenue stamps from March October
inc usye for the wears ls6s and lsSa.

xVssDb4 sol $IU, TnS, $50
This shows an Increase IN revenue from stamps
during this SIX months or nearly one million dollars
This increase, though considerable Ii by no means
reckOned satisfactory. 1t has resu. tel mainly from
the policy OF this once IN April last, requiring all
stamps to be so placed the instrument OF writing
as to exhibit the entire lace OF the stamp, and
prohibiting the practice witch had obtained
extensively Of covering the supposed hail OF one
stamp by the attachment OF another, when, fact.
the stamp was cut IN two and Onehalf used 10 repre-
sent o full stamp In another instance.
Inc gross receipts from stamps for the last fiscal
year were 5000 no. For the current year they are
estimated at ST. 500 000 bit 1t believed that thIs
tax ought to yield AT least 100000.
The Britt government collects much larger sum
rom the same source, Its receipts averaging from
1898 TO 1869 Inclusive over $50 10000 per annum
This fact is frequently stated by public speakers
our system; and while there IL some reason there
~ yet more Injustice, In this strict comparison. The
British system Is not so well understood In this
country "a 10 make com parson OF receipts merely
fair to u.s. The one salient point, however that we
tail to collect much revanue as system ought
e remedy ne t. naY ns o. s a
consideration from me as the increasing abors OF
this bureau would permit
one und0ubted cause la that parties frequently
omit to stamp Instruments required to he stamped
by law. This Is the result OF negligence frequently
and often OF design. remedy for this wOulu be
found by iByaIidating all instruments not stamped
according 10 law, and by making the penalty,
though comparatively light. ~ least twice the stamp
duty, and never less than nve dollars where the
omission appeared to be from neglect only aud not
design.
am OF opinion That the most serious abuse III the
evasion OF the stamp laws the fraudulent second
use OF stamps aiter Washing and cleansing them
from the first o1icla cancellation. Various methods
for preventing TINS practice have been suggested,
but none free from Difficulty objections. one p an
~ the adoption Of the mechanical cancellation. Va
rions instruments have been presented Tor this pur-
pose possessing more or less merit. The objections
TO this plan are the expense OF the instrument be
purchased and used and the Inconvenience to those
remote from towns and cities, doing little business
and requiring few stamps who would be obliged to
provide themselves vita canceing instrument out
OF proportion to their means and necessities.
Another plan 10 TO print stamps with a
fugitive Ink, 80 rs to render 1t Impossible
to remove the cancellation marks without
destroying the lace and body OF the stamp. The
favorable and adverse opinions OF experts and chem
about equally divided. IL IL urged that stamps SO
printed, when subjected TO atmospheric action and
exposure 10 dampness. would be found TO delaCe 90
readily as to render taen frequently worthless 10 the
purchaser.
third plan Ia 10 print stamps on distinctive
paper, TO be provided by the Treasury Department
FOR all government stamps and when, for revenue
INK not subect 10 fade IRON exposure, but by winch
| the whole face Of tho stamp would be obllterated
by an attempt 10 wash on tue MARKS Oh caucella
| ton
While 1t IL doubtful If this last plan is feasible
from the liability Of the enalneied stamp so bfeah
when foded, am unwilling 10 express any opin ior
at present as between the plans or Ia favor OF AM
| one Of the plans proposed.
! would suggest that II be recommended to Con
gress 10 authorize the Commissioner OF Internal Ike
| Venue TO send an agent 10 Europe to examine and
become familiar with the stamp systems OF othel
governments. In this manner alone, and at SINAI
sxpepss, this government can avail itself Of tn,