The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1871-12-21
Synopsis ofthe Report of Comm issiOn
ers Douglas and Secretary Belknap.

WASHINGTON, December 3.-The Re-
port of the commissioner of Internal Re :
venue states that the aggregate receipts
from all sources, exclusive Of direct tax
| upon bonds and the duty upon circufa-
ton and deposits Of national banks we're,
for the fiscal year 1871, $l44,Oll, ,l76.
This sum includes amounts refunded and
allowed on drawbacks, amounting to
$640, 46S. The commissioner estimate
of receipts for the current fiscal year un-
der the present law is 425, 600, 900. The
receipts from spirits for the fiscal year
we're $40, ,2Sl ,S4S; the amount of tax re-
ceiyed on fermented liquors $7,159, ,74O.
The total receipts from tobacco for the
year were $33. 57S,O97, an increase of g.
$50, 900 over last year. The total amount
of manufactured tobacco represented by
the amount collected was LOS, ,S2S, ,963
pounds. The total number of cigars,
cheroots. ETC., on which taxes were COL
lected was l, 1872, S44. 357. The increase
is due to the recent changes in the law
changing the mode of collecting the tax
| on these articles. aas
| The commissioner favors the consoli-
dating of the tobacco tax at the rate of "a
cents, if it can be done without loss to
the government. and expresses the opin-
ion that the present system of export
bonded warehouses can be entirely abol-
ished both to the interest of tho govern
ment::and the manufactures, He re-
comments that Congress provide that
evidence of loss of tobacco at sea. salts,
factory to the commissioner of internal
revenue, shall have all the force Of land
ing certificate for The purpose of draw
back.
The want of authority to furnish stamp
for condemned tobacco, which is constant
ly accurnulating in the hands of govern
ment officers has caused much embarras-
ment, and the commissioner recommends
that Congress authorize him, upon the
requisition of officers having custody
and control of such tobacco, to furnish
suitable revenue stamps to be attached
and Cancelled before the same is offered
for sale, as it frequently happens that
tax-paid stamps are lost from packages
of spirits by unavoidable accident, with
out fault on the part Of the persons inter-
ested. Spirits being thus exposed to
seizure and detention, autho1ty ~ is asked
to protect such spirits by restan. ming.
Owing to the congressional oml Ssion to
authorize remission Of the tax es on
shipbulders, he has ordered such lakes
collected. He recommends that the com
missioner be prohibited from considering e
or allowing any claim not presented with
in two years from the time the tax was
paid, and that all claims be barred III
courts after six years from the date OF
the payment ofthe taxes.
The report concludes by stating that
23O accounts of ex-eollecters are still open
lis of which have been placed in the
hands of attorneys, for suit against the
bondsmen of the deliquents. The total
amount received from compromised re-
venue cases for the year was S6l5, 491
the total value of seizures, SOLO, ,24O.
TUE ARMY
The secretary of war S report, the main
facts relative to which were printed two
weeks ago from the bureau reports, SHOWS
that the army of July had been reduced
to $4,000. The expenses yearly are about
$40, 600, 900, including nearly 100000
for river and harbor improvements. The
estimate for military purposes for the
fiscal year ending June 80, 1870, S32.-
4I5.412. The treasurer has thus far
realized the present fiscal year s2l .766,-
4O3 from the sale of arms and other sour
ces. An estimate of S3. 090, 600 is made
for the settlement of claims yet due. the
States for calling troops into che service:
The secretary says it is with great embar7-
fassment that the appropriations made at
the last session can be so economized as
| to answer the pressing requirements OF
the service. He recommends that the
extra lieutenauts authorized TO serve as
regimental quarter-masters be dlscontin-
ued, as vacancies occur In those grades.
effecting-an ultimate reduction Of SO lieu
tenants. That the grade of quartern,as
ter sergeant be abolished also those of
company aIti6cer aed sagoner,, which