New-York tribune., 1874-01-14
THE REVENUE Ia US.

AMENDMENTS IN THE TARIFF AND INTERNAL REV
ENUR LAWS PROPOSED BY THE WINE AND SPIRIT
DEALERS COUNCIL.
The regular monthly meeting of the Council
OF the Spirit Traders Society held at their
rooms. No IS Beaverst. at p M Yesterday, CharieS
Bellows la the chair VIM. L. Fees OF the Committee on
Legislation mado long report fayOring change In
tho laws in important particulars, and setting
forth the steps which had been taken by the COMMITTEES
with a view to securing the amendments. The report
claims that the present system Of restamping pack
ages after they have left the dister's hands, does
not accomplish the purposes Of the law nor prevent
fraud and suggests that accounts be kept by dealers
and recters OF all spirits received and sold each day,
accurately describing the stamps on each package wheh
received. An examination of the books and stock OF
dealer at any time by the officers would show
fraud If any existed This would cave great expense
to the Government wholesale and retail licenses
should combined into one OF $3.50; this wouid yen
moro revenue the Government and be moro satsIac
tory to tho dealers Tho report also avors specific duy
instead of an ad valOrem duty imported wines and
spirits The report was received by the Connc and its
suggestions embodied in resolutions offered by
Mr. Engs that tho President in the OF the Society
should communicate with member OF Congress, deSir-
ing him to present tho following to the House:
Resolped, That the Committee of Ways and Means be
directed consider the feasibility OF changing the pres
ent mode OF imposing duties upon wine, VIZ, mixed
specific and ad valorem, which, while simplifying,
the collection of said duties will increase the revenue
and also ~ consider the Feasibility OF 80 enanslng te
present tax upon spirits 10 dispense with certain pro
ceses OF stamping now required, which, whiie who'll,
unpr0ductiy0 OF additional revenue, are Oh very Brea
hinderanoe TO legitimate trade.
Charles Bellows, President OF the Council, read the
following carefully prepared suggestions for proposed
changes in tho Tariff and Internal Revenue laws:
l. That the long established custom OF adding a
OF "a per to the foreign cost be discon
tinued fom ali future invoices. and that shipping
charges when not directly incorporated In said invoice
That in future gauges for liquidation of the total
actual contents Of Inc package packages be ascer
tanned from which allowance OF q gallons per lOO or
pro rata. DO deducted IN making up for Wthdra"ai or
export. -,o
be exempt and under the Internal Revenue act
That In the event of an invoice being entered elthe
for warehOusing, wherein the articles 80
offered at variance to their cost with the then
market value alone no oe maue oy sec
to penaltyl to the exclusion of those OF lesser vaua
that the underv less than 10 per cent on
s. That in casa the Government has suspicion OF in
tended fraud part of the importer, and believes
that the proposed entry be at an underyanaion, tue
said importer be relieved OF tho goods at cost and 10
G. That ali duties specific. 'snd that case goods be
assessed on actual aant enSeP' on thc sma
est package should be that capable OF containing 20
gallons for rum. 40 gallons for whisky, 20 gallons Tor
g. That the limitation OF time in which goods may
bond be continued three years; but that no
other duty be collected within that period than tha as
sessed upon entering
o. Thai lquidations made and approved by the
importer be nnal, after bonding. upon each party.
Encouragement should be extended TO expectation
as the means OF increasing mportdtonS.
H. There should be more Immediate return OF excess
paid deposit.
IL. Whereas. The Government and the informer
against the merchant CT the merchant bo found guilty.
entitled TO their share OF the penalty therefore, tho
Government and the inOrmer should bc liable to the
merchant II he be declared innocent aud no complaint
should entertained from but responsible source
nnIe fha (.nyn
principal. interest. and costs. - .
In reference the Internal Revenue law: l. Where IT,
cense obtained for the purpose Of conducting
certain calling the should be continued for the un
expired portion Of " member OF such firm,
continuing after dissolution In the same locality for
which originally granted. q Domestic spirits
should De entitled TO like privileges of bond for three
years, and should be free Of the payment OF tax.
g. A clear definition should be obtained for the term
rectincatiOn. That the requirement. OF painted signs
designating the dealer Wholesale dealer. rectiher
&C. should dispensed with. o. That the Government
and norner should be liable 10 the same responsibility
as In the Of imported liquors
The suggestions referred to the Committee on
JaVis