New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-12-08

Treasury They include also, sums reported a. COLLECTED
but not actually paid into the Treasury al that u .
Ience there Ia an apparent discrepancy between the
totals shown and the aggregate amount oepDs.
on account OF internal revenue as shown oy Wsia ns
covering the the Treasury for the hsSa year
The receipts from internal revenue or rng n Tune o
ters of the hsca years ending respectively JUNO '0
| 1875 aud 1876, were as iono"s' sos9lasI5s3
Trst quarter quarter @, 2Si9s72s 50
The aggregate receipts the months q October be-, and
November Of the current year. were tSsy were
SI7 47G 90, showing increase OF 80 ~
since the last annual sPoI' bg 70 vita
districts with estimated annual SAVING 10 tne "o'o
ment OF about $4,000
THE WHISKY FRAUDS.
During the past fiscal year frauds Of unusual character
and magnitude discovered in this branch OF the
service which appear have been carried on Win more
or less injury to the several years past The
report Commissioner sets forth in detail the man
ner in such frauds have been perpetfateo anu
gives the estimate of that office OF the amount OF prop
able loss the revenue, with suggestions OF moohca
tons OF the law deemed essential to more certain cooc
ton of the tax on distilled spirits The attention OF Con
eres ia invited especially that feature OF the report
Tho recommendations made therein for modification of
the law with view to the prevention Oh IKE Hau"s III
future are conourred In by the Secretary ana CUM
mended to the consideration OF Congress 30 long hS ~
is necessary to maintain tax on Distilled spirits
amounting per gallon to three four times the cost Vi
producton IL may be expected that the great empta-
ton to avoid payment OF the tax on ut least part Oh
the production will excite the cupdiy OF PRODUCERS ana
that every possible device for evasion VIII be use Lach
gallon Of spirits that escapes payment OF tax increases 10y
SO much the profit to the producer IL cannot DC dehod
that tax imposed for revenue purposes is regarded by
many persons as harsh o1acton from the citizen, TO
be twarted possible that violations OF the punitive
provisions OF revenue statutes looked upon by many
as venal oaenses. But the necessities Of government
including the maintenance OF national ialih' hl-
peratyely demand the closest collection OF all the reye
nues LOWED by law and, besides. due regard Tor Tie
interest OF those who meet honestly ana promptly the
demands Of Government upon them in this respect re-
airos that ali others shall be made TO bear their proper
share OF taxation. Every invasion OF tax by ds
honest persons must eventually increase the burdens OIL
honest tax payers These considerations should induce
every citizen to render proper aid to the Government in
It's efforts to collect tie enue, by giving Information Oh
violations Of law aud OF frauds on tie revenue which may
come to his knowledge; but experience shows that e"
are willing give such information unless they can
receive direct pecuniary c0mpenSaton
When recently It became known that the Government
was losing large part Of the due from distilled
spirits 1t was found extremely difficult TO obtain exact
or satisfactory information to the method OF perpe
tIating frauds 10 asccrtan with reasonable Ger
tauty VINO the guilty parties. II vas Obvious tuat
frauds on the Being extensively practced
aud equally clear that this could not be success
fully done, under existing provisions OF law without
and at least cpae negligence on tho part OF Others OF
higher grade.
In the opinion OF the Secretary, the Circumstances
seemed only justify but require resort 10 means
other those in ordinary for detection by the Bu
roau OF Internal Revenue. Accordingly the appropria-
detecting and bringing to trial and punishment
persons engaged in comerioitlng, and for detecting
other frauds upon the Government, drawn upon for
Ibis purpose. Tue Solicitor VI tho Treasury, who IS
charged with the proper and DISBURSEMENT Of that
iund, directed TO inquire into the alleged frauds Oh
The revenue in the matter OF distilled spirits and Wa in
-tTucod to spare proper effort 10 detect the guilty
parties. and furnish their names with the evidence
against them to the proper officers OF the Department OF
Justice. This duty entered upon with energy, and
after the existence OF con5pirocies and combinations to
dcfraud tho Government developed, the inFesea-
continued. ~ cooperation with officers Of inter
nal revenue, md resulted N the certain detection OF
frauds on tie revenue II than ordinary signin
cance Under tho direction Of the Commissioner Of in
trrna Revenue the investigation has been pursued with
e, MN .nldbc energy and zeal considerable number
OF officers of internal revenue have been found 10 be III
guilty COLLISION with disiilers and reoers N iTaulu
lent practices whereby large sums were lost To The
revenue. Tho evidence thus acquired having been re-
ported the proper DstrciAttoucys, has resulted in
large number OF prosecutions Tor conspiracy duplicate
use OF stamps and other Offences 30 prose
cu0ns have been completed, they have, with few and
comparatively unimporut exceptions resulted in
subordinate o1iocrs Of internal revenue, have pleaded
guilty to iudicim against them thus cone5.ng then
ofonces, and thrown themselves upon the mercy OF the
court
Besides the institution OF criminal proceedings, civil
suits have been broua upon bunds officials and
OF dstiers; dstillcucs and spirits have been seized rs
oI:ced the United states ot violations Of law and,
wherever the evidence warranted. assessments have
been made &C. aH-t dstiil.r5 FOR delinquent taxes and
pia od in hands Of co, tJrs with instructions tO
collect by process OF law. trcut applications have
been presented tic compromise OF MANY ~ tue
bu il has boon deemed better .Or he Htot. OF tho Gov
erppet 70 allow all OF them 20 take usual in
the courts; hence, all SUCH applications have been
denied.
The Secretary considers important to the future col
lection Of the revenue. tIa H parties Engaged IN pc.
sstelt and Systematic frauds shall Dc visited with the
everest penalties Of the law. 70 This end instructions
have been repeatedly given To- officers OF internal reve
nue. and others the service Of this Department. TO
render all proper 90 the officers of the Depart
ment OF Justice in the prosecution Of The eases now
bending and IN the detection and punishment Oi such
guilty parties as have not yet been indicted. Lei deemed
Of especial Importance that officers Of the Government
WHO have betrayed their trust and engaged in frauds
the revenue shall be brought speedy and condign pun
ishnent Those who iutrusiod with official duties
and responsibilities should DO given to know tina; the
Government will not deal lightly with them when they
prove 20 be guilty Of corruption in Office. Taxpayers
cannot be eApccted TO deal honestly with Government
when its trusted officers permitted to participate
ia frauds on the revenue, without mourning swil and
certain punishment The highest guaranty Tor the faith
ul collection Of is In the vigilance and integrity
of officials This guaranty be secured only by care
mi selection in the first instance by retaining in Office
such AS proved their efficiency ana honesty and by
prompt dismissal vigorous prosecution OF such
have been found iaiiDless.
EXPORTS AND IMPORTS.
The romparatiye value OF the exports and imports u
the United states for tho last nscal year, in coin
IN i,n RuInIlL n