Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1877-12-05
General News.

a Toronto telegram Of Nov. 26tb
gives the comments of the LEADING r.,
ronto papers on the decision of the FISH
cry commission in awarding Great Brit.
ain five and half millions of dollars
The Globe and Nail commenting On
the fishery commissioners award. agree
that, although the amount is not 50
large as Canada is entitled to, they arc
satisfied with it, and express the hope
that the United States will not bubble
at payment of a sum which is more
than covered by the surplus of the Ala.
bama award now held by the American
government without claimants.
The Mail says: We look to Presiden,
Hayes who has since he attained the
presidency displayed most enlighten.
ed liberality in matters of home politics
to use his commanding influence to pre-
vent the prevailing of any reasons
which may be urged within the circle of
his cabinet with q view to 'hwarting the
patient and considerate lap, Of tho
fishery commission.
The Herald of Halifax, y. S, SAYS at
is announced that Mr.. Kellogg, the
United States commissioner, was absent
from the award. The statement, we are
sure, needs modification. We are not
in the confidence of the commissioners
but are sure we are safe in stating that
Mr. kellogg's dissent is not and cannot
be based on any denial of the value of
the Canadian fisheries, of the value Of
the concessions made by Canada under
the treaty, or OF the justice of our gen
r. M nF
imagine, the dissent is based upon the
ground that the other commissioners
did not place value sufficiently high
upon the counter concessions made by
the United States, then we shall rest per
fectly content with the finding Of the
award, and in the certainty of its being
followed and fulfilled by a sharp and
shrewd, but not ungenerous, nation"
THE INTERNAL REVENUE
\ telegram from Washington dated
Nov. Goth says the commissioner of in
ternal revenue says in his report, after
considerable attention to the question
OF changing rate Of taxation on spirits
and tobacco, he has come to the con
cluslon that the interests of the govern
ment and manufacturers and dealers
will be subserved by allowing the rates
of taxation to remain undisturbed nor
would he recommend any change Of
law IN respect to tax on fruit brandy.
Collections for the fiscal year were
$l1S,S7O,997, and for the months of
July, August, September and October
Of the present fiscal year, 3S,772,S 1873;
grand total Of $l57 ,643, $40 collected
since the beginning Of the last fiscal
year. The commissioner says the sub
lects of relieving banks and bankers
from payment Of taxes now imposed
by law upon their capital and deposits;
of relieving bank checks from impost
of two cents each now placed upon
them, and also of taking off the tax
from matches have received consider
able share Of public attention. These
taxes realized SS,636,90S for the
past fiscal year, as follows: Amount
of tax collected from capital
and deposits of banks for the year end
ing May 81, 1877, 1876, 299; value of
stamps imprinted on checks, 81, 277, 776
value of adhesive stamps sold for
checks, $611 sos; amount of tax collect
ed from matches, $2,9S2,275. If the
financial interests Of the government
would warrant SO great reduction in
its revenues, it seems to me that in Sc
lecting objects to be relieved from tax
alton these would commend themselves
strongly TO the law-making power II,
however, in view of the falling off of re-
ceipts from customs, it is deemed mex
pedient to reduce revenues by so large
an amount, it occurs to me that if any
reduction be made from the above
source, that the law taxing matches
could, with very great propriety, be re-
pealed The tax is levied upon an ar
ticle that enters into universal consump-
ton and more than doubles the cost Of
the article taxed in the hands of manu-
facturers. The taxable capital and de-
posts of banks and bankers are S774,-
or ,269 and the tax is one-half of one
per cent on that amount | apprehend
that no object could be selected for tax
alton that could more easily bear the
burdens imposed upon it than the cap
ital and DEPOSITS of banks and bankers.
The tax of S1,SS9,334 realized from
stamps upon checks is collected at very
inconsiderabIe cost to the government,
and as it is realized from nearly 94,5OG
OO0 of transactions, it is not burden
some or announcement to those who
pay 1t.