The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-07-24
WASHINGTON.
The lncoine Tax.

income tax, but it failed to find language
to convey its purpose successfully in re-
gard to the payment OF certain income
taxes for the last four months of 1870.
Judge Douglass, the acting commits.
sioner, had the question of how the law
should be construed before him, and
gave the Government the benefit of the
doubt. Commissioner Pleasanton re-
versed the decision, and the corporations
paid their semi-annual tax without
Withholding the amount of the tax, as
they would otherwise have done. The
Attorney General, in turn, reversed Plea
santon's decision, putting the case back
where Judge Douglass placed it, and
now the corporations resist the collec-
ton on the ground that they acted on
the instructions Of an agent Of the Gov
ernment in neglecting to retain the
amount of the tax, and that they are
not liable to sustain loss because OF the
reverse of the decision on which they
acted. Solicitor Bancroft has been con-
sidering the plea, and to-day handed the
Secretary Of the Treasury his opinion
as to the legality Of the action for the
collection OF these taxes. The opinion
will be made public tomorrow, together
with the Secretary's opinion based upon
it.
The name of Colonel VIM. A. Phil
lips, of Kansas, has been mentioned in
connection with the Office Of Commits
sioner of Indian Affairs, with such at
tendant facts as would seem to indicate
that he would be speedily appointed.
He has been recommended by the
Board of Civil Commission, and his
familiarity with the Indian questions
strengthens the belief among his friends
that the appointment will be rendered
him. The President has been recently
informing himself in regard to Colonel
Phillips record and fitness.
Secretary Boutwell's Report.
Secretary Boutwell, has telegraphed to
all the sub.Treasurers and repositories
to be prompt in the rendition Of their
accounts and statements in order not to
delay the annual report. After last
years experience and the fuss over the
treaty, additional precaution will be
taken to prevent the newspaper press
from obtaining copies Of it. 1t is under
stood that General Pleasanton in his
annual report will make vigorous
onslaught on the income tax and state
at length to Congress the difference re-
garding the laws existing between him
and Secretary Boutwell, and ask for re-
newed legislation. Last year he called
the attention OF the Ways and Means
committee to questions which might
arise under the law as il then stood, but
they disagreed with him and said no
one could differ with him in conse-
quence of the laws put before them.
The action of Secretary Boutwell, to-day
on the dividend tax of the last five
months of 1870 is asserted by some 10
be virtual resembling OF his decision
overruling General Pleasanton de-
cision.
Complaints about the Patent Ohiee.
Numerous complaints are coming
here from inventors throughout the
country regarding the parsimonious ac'
ton of the patent office under its pres.
ent administration, especially regarding
the change on the fron,ispiece OF letters
patent. Until recently, the frontispiece
was large piece of parchmen and well
engraved, though not elaborate, was
creditable to the Government, aid
would wear well. Commissioner Leg
gett has recently changed it into a mis-
erable bit of engraving on sheet Of
second-rate letter paper, and, rumor
saws, with no decrease in cost. With
nearly million OF dollars in the Treas
ury by the Patent Office over and above
expenses, and inventors paying fees
enough to get good material, this
causes considerable comment here.
Customs Receipts.
The customs receipts for the week
ending July Stb, as far as received, are
as follows: New York, S2,506, 764;
Philadelphia, Sl52,634; Baltimore,
sl67, ,2SO. Some of the collectors are
so very delinquent in sending in their
reports that the receipts cannot be
made up promptly.
Treasury Balances.
The following are the treasury bal
ances at the close of business to-day
Currency, 50, 525,O 900; coin, 81, ,S96, ,OOG
coin certificates, $2l, ,l9l, 900.
Boutwell.PleasantO
Secretary Boutwells delay in re-
versiug the decision OF Commissioner
Pleasanton on the dividend tax for the
last five months of 1870, will probably
lead to the Government losing the large
amount which he hoped thereby to get
into the Treasury, for it appears that
between January l3 and March l3, the
time of the delay, most Of the corpora
tions paid the interest and dividends on
the earnings for the last five months OF
1870, and under Pleasanton's decision
did not reserve the tax. Solicitor Ber'
field is understood to have given his
opinion that the Government cannot
hold the corporations for taxes not re
turned during that period, and that the
Government must lose 1t.