The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-11-28
THE INTERNAL REVENUE BUREAU
Rsum's Report-Inereased Re-
ceIpts-The Tobacco Tax.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 27.-The report OF In
ternnl Revenue Commissioner Raum says that
the heavy falling OF in the receipts from inter-
nal revenue taxation which marked the clos
ing months OF the past fiscal year has coased,
and that the receipts for the current fiscal year
have thus far shown an increase. In a majority
OF the States the internal revenue laws have
been enforced without serious difficulty OF OBJ
struction. There has been a commendable
spirit exhibited on tho part OF manufacturers
and dealers to observe the law and It is be-
lieved that the tax on distilled spirits in now
being collected with fewer frauds and less loss
to the Government than at any time since the
establishment Of the internal revenue system.
After referring TO tho great difficulties on
countered in many OF the Southern States In
the enforcement Of the laws and the armed re-
sistance to the revenue officers. he speaks OF
tho conditional amnesty offered 10 offenders.
and says he Is not without hope that some good
results may follow the course that has been
pursued. Ono advantage that has been derived
from the amnesty accorded Is seen In the fact
that. whereas previously our officers could
scarcely enter the infected counties without be-
ing fired on. they are now able. In most cases.
to police the districts with comparative safety.
He is. however. opposed to a repetition Of this
business Of Wholesale amnesty. Hereafter. he
thinks violaters OF the law should be required
70 endure the penalties provided by law for
their offences. Great stross is laid upon the
necessity for the complete suppression Of Illicit
distiling, and the subject 10 TO be brought
prominently TO tho attention OF Congress. with
The hope that suitable appropriation for the
early suppression OF these frauds may be made:
With reference TO the proposed reduction OF
the tobacco tax the Commissioner argues that
the reduction Of the tax one-third. as proposed
by the bill now pending would inevitably re-
suit in n corresponding reduction OF the reve-
nue. derived from that source There we're
l59.!6l hogsheads OF tobacco in warehouse on
The CORES cor DO bonding period OF 1875. IL % to the de-
pressing influence this largo surplus must ex-
ert there s now added prolonged agitation for
the reduction OF the tax. so as TO Withdraw the
manufactures from the market. the result to
the planters cannot be otherwise than detri-
The bill before the Senate proposes reduc-
tion OF the tax on cigars from &c to s. per thou
| sand This would be equivalent to reducing
| the tax on each cigar one mill. He says: % It
Is incredible that such reduction can affect the
retail price or in any degree operate to stimu-
| late the sumption OF cigars. and. In my opin-
| ion. tho reduction would be an absolute loss Of
revenue without any compensating advantage" "
statement OF the collections OF internal
revenue tax for the fiscal year ended June 80.
1878. shows that the sum Of 81 1904 $50 .S6 was
collected and accounted for during tho past
| fiscal year. and that the sum Of s97O555 ro-
mains unaccounted for, Lust year the collec-
tions were tlls993. 20 and 81 300 remains
| unaccounted for. II thus appears that during
| tho last two fiscal years s229.G49. .465.il has
been collected and accounted for, and l.6O5. SO
has been collected and not accounted for. The
| Commissioning Is assured that the amounts due
| will be paid during the present year. the sure
ties Of the collectors, bonds being entirely
| good so that there will be no actual loss TO the
United States The defaulting collectors have
| been removed from Office.
The report ends with statement showing
the receipts from several objects OF taxation for
the first four months OF the present fiscal year,
year. This shows derease OF s393.6lJ on
| spirits. an increase OF s272.24G on tobacco. an
| increase Of 1896 20i on fermented liquors. n
| decrease Of s64 .s2l on banks and bankers. an
| Increase OF tl9t.736 on adhesive stamps, de-