New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-07-07
COUPONS on CIGARS.

The general principle that Government taxes
should be levied upon articles or property in
bulk, rather than on small portions in the
hands of consumer, is recognized by all STU
dents of political economy. The way in which
tax is imposed has usually more to do with
its being burdcnsOme, than its amount In
oriental countries the absolute sum raised by
taxes is not greater in proportion to the pOpu-
lation than in some Western communities; but
the mode of collection is far more annoying.
Among all nations where improvement in the
methods of government is taking place
at all, it is most evident in getting
rid of the minor taxcs-on scaling wax
and candles, on window panes and doctors
prescriptions. The tendency of such taxes is
to make OdOus the power that inflicts them. One
of the first of our internal revenue taxes todisap-
near after the stress of the war was over was
that levied upon carrying q watch-nOt on the
manufacture of watches, but on the individual
possession of one. The tax was looked upon
by most people as contemplate piece OF
business for the Government to be engaged in.
At the present day any political party that
should attempt to restore that tax would be
broken down under a storm of ridicule.
Not less absurd, however, is the proposition
now gravely entertained for inficting sepa-
rate tax on each cigar as it leaves the box to
60 to the lips of the consumer. Were there
no other objection to such tax, it would be
enough that it is backward step. 1t would
be more appropriate to the mode of govern
ment in China than in the United States.
This very year the Secretary of the Treasury
expressed the hope that the necessity for stick
ing twO-cent revenue stamps on checks and
notes would soon be dispensed with. The ground
for suggesting this was simply that the stamp
tax is petty and annoying But if for one man
that draws a check there are twenty men that
light cigars, the proposed tax would cause
twenty times as much annoyance as the check
stamp business occasions. 1t is, moreover,
alleged that the device of coupons on cigars il
the subject of a patent, and that large pro-
portion of whatever is to be saved by incOn-
venlencing the public, is to 60 into the
pocket of the patentee. This would explain
the urgency with " ,lich the measure is pressed,
for if there is patentcc to be benefited by
an invention to be ado tied by the Government,
there is sure to be a ng of officials interested
therein.
1t is scarcely worth while to discuss here
the merits of the inve ion. Its profitable Use
presupposcs dishOnes y at present among the
makers and vendors of cigars, which is by no
means proved. AS a class the manufacturers
of tobacco are heavily taxed. There have
been many changes in their taxes and great
variety of rulings that have frequently embar-
raised their trade and are always a source of
anxiety to honest dealers. They have always
seemed disposed to meet the Government half
way, and to discharge their duties as
fairly as any other class of citizens.
Considering the weight of the impost, there
have been comparatively few great frauds
upon the revenue committed by tobacco mer-
chants. Perhaps the proposed regulation may
not add seriously to their troubles, but they
do not like its looks. The consumers are more