Ellsworth American., 1874-11-26
Internal Revenue Receipts.

Commissioner Douglass reports that the
receipts OF the u. ). Internal reveuue de-
partmeat for the past year. were Sl02,-
GALA. of which et9 A44. .o90 were from
distilled and e930s.679 from ferment
liquors--a decrease OF over two hundred
and sixty-six thousand dollars,-s33.-
2+2.s.5 from tobacco, O.. 3s7 900 from
bankers and banks, and about six mill
ions from stamps. The commissioner esti-
mates that the revenue from these sources
for the current year will be about one
hundred and seven milioas-all but about
ten millions Of which will be from liquors
and tobacco. The Commissioner recon-
mends the abolition OF the stamp tax and
All Increase OF ten cents per gallon in the
tax on spirits.
The production Of distilled liquors Ia
the country during the past year, was
about seventy millions Of gallons; OF fer
mented liquors 800 600 600 gallons; OF to-
bscoo lls.5is.sl9 pounds; OF cigars l.
ss6.697 ass. The production OF distilled
and fermented liquors fell OF, but that OF
tooaeco and cigars increased. A large
quantity OF spirits and tobacco was ex-
ported, bot probably IS much Of the for
ner was imported. The production Of
cigars WAS very nearly forty-tive for every
man. woman and child in the United
States. Thus 1t appears that the people
OF this country are the greatest smokers
| In the world The production OF liquors
was nearly two gallons OF distilled and
| seven gallons Of fermented liquors for
every man. woman and child. Great Brit
ain. however. consumes more than We do
These facts tell n sad story for the coun-
try; but it Is comforting to know that
| Maine consumes vastly less Of liquid
damnafion than any other State In the
Union. Thus Maine had one place of sale
| (neariy halt OF them town agencies and
apothecary establisnruents) TO every
thousand inhaoitants. paying to the gov
| ernment a tax OF thirteen cents per iniiab-
itant; New jersey one TO one hundred
and thirty inhabitants. paying a tax OF
9l.l per inhabitaut; and New York one
10 one hundred and nifty seven inhabitants.
paying tax Of 81 ca per inhsbitant-
We notice that objections are sometimes
raised TO the United States tax on liquor.
and liquor sellers. on the ground that ii is
recognition Of and passport for an in-
furious traffic. We do not regard il in
that light. So long as nearly everybody
comedies that intoxicating liquors must be
manufactured and sold at least fer me
chanical and medical purposes, they are
legitimate object for taxation. Whether
| Intoxicating liquors shall be manufactured
and sold for these. or other purposes, in
any State. 1t is not for Congress To say.
That Is one Of the subjects committed to
each State to decide according TO the
wishes of the people. The national gov
ernment simply says that when liquors
are manufactured or sold. there shall be =
certain tax imposed on the production
and on the seller, for national purposes.
By express provision of the revenue law.
this tax gives no one authority TO manu-
iacture or sell single gallon OF liqdor
contrary to State legislation. The fact
that any one has paid . government tax
on liquors, does not authorize him 10 sell
il anywhere. Neither is il any passport
for the trafiic. Indeed in one point OF
view. the tax :ends to decrease the con-
sumption Of liquor by increasing the cost
for 1t is well understood that the consump.
ton OF any article is reduced BY an in
crease OF the cost. In our judgment the
tax ought TO be as large As can be collect
ed without stimulating frauds to such a
point as will reduce the revenue.-l Lewis.
ton Journal.