The New York herald., 1872-09-07
WA S HIN CTON.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 9, 1872.
A Circular to Gaugers Regarding tho
Fermented Liquor.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 6, 1872.
Circular to Gaugers Regarding tho
Fermented Liquor.
The Acting Commissioner of Internal Revenue
three weeks ago issued circular to gaugers, re-
quiring them to gauge all packages used for the
sale Of fermented liquors. The order was issued in
the belief that the packages used had a capacity
greater than was represented by the stamps re-
quired for eighth SIXTH fourth half and whole bar
rels, and in that way the government was annually
defrauded OF considerable revenue In case gaugers
found packages exceeding their pretended capac-
ity-three-tenths Of gallon-they were instructed
t9 Rgspa II O. A package requiring stamp Of the
next highest determination, provided the brewer
declined to reduce the package to a proper
capacity The reports received from guagers re-
verse the opinion heretofore entertained at the
Internal Revenue Bureau, and show that the gov
ernment is really profting by the sale Of beer In
casks now used. The reports for instance, show
that barrels which should contain thirty-one
gallons, average only thirty; half barrels from
fourteen to fifteen gallons. Fourth-barrels which
should contain seven and three-fourths gallons,
average only seven. The same In proportion Of
sixth and eighth barrels. This revelation viii
doubtedly astonish dealers in lager and cause
CONSERVATION among the brewers. The oficials are
somewhat puzzled as to what course they will now
pose of protecting the revenue, justice, they say,
demands that the gaugers should be required to
brand the exact capacity OF each package. The
loss to the brewers In barrels and casks alone will
be very large, for while provision was made In the
circular for cutting them down to the proper
measurement the department failed to give in
structions for stretching them. This was generally
regretted among the officials to-day, and the ques-
tion will probably be turned over to the clerk who
invented the original order. The Acting Commis-
sioner of Internal Revenue, who signed the original
order without suspecting any deficiency In the
quantity Of lager, Is more likely to act upon the
case as he finds 1t, and tomorrow he will issue an
order requiring gaugers to brand the exact capac-
ity OF each package.
Investigation OF Steamboat Disasters.
The Acting Secretary OF the Treasury to-day or.
dered Mr.. 4. B. Beckwith and Mr.. Philo B. Hovey,
Inspectors Of Steam Vessels at New London, to
continue the investigation Of the disaster to the
Metis and to proceed with 1t as rapidly as possi-
BILE. In this district the burning OF the Nevada IL
also being investigated. At New York the recent
collision on the Harlem and the accident to the
Bristol are being Investigated, and the burning OF
the Bienvie Is next the list for 0fcial inquiry.
Supervising Inspector General Nimmo returned
here this morning. He has confidence that the
investigations ordered will be thorough and I'M
partial.
The balances in the Treasury of the United States
at the close OF business yesterday ere:-Currency,
co. lsl oo3; coin, s727l3444; including $29,Oo9,sO0
In coin certificates.
Attorney General williams will address the re.
publlcans OF Philadelphia on Tuesday evening next.