The New York herald., 1879-03-03

wines known as limitations of port. sherry, Sc.
produced in Marse9les, Cette. Hamburg and other
places, and while discouraging American industry
Of the nature. results in considerable loss to
the public revenues. 1t is desirable that the senate
should know to what extent the public revenues
may be affected by the adoption OF a system
of taxation similar TO that OF France, whereby
tho excess of alcohol in fortified wines may
be subjected to the ordinary tax on spirits II this
plan should not be considered favorable TO the col
lection OF revenue and TO commerce the committee IS
of the opinion that the Secretary should be directed
to report upon the propriety OF permitting the
proper of brandy in forifyng native sweet wines
and liquors upon payment of reduced internal rev.
enue tax, to afford equal advantages to the
American Industries that granted to the foreign
several occasions to the necessity of protecting
consumers against the entry of fasifed and adul-
erated wines and liquors especially through the re-
ports of officers of the consular service. The gov
ernment of France has for several years been wagng
vigorous warfare against fasiers and adulterators
of wines circulating in that country. of which no.
tce has been made in the reports OF American con-
suls but nosassurance has been given that wines
ported to our ports are entirely free from
tectcd in wines when circulated in France.
The practices of aduerating with fuchsne and othor
dcleterious matters are known to exist i'll Spain and
may possibly exist in other countries but We have
no authentic information to determine to what ex-
tent such practices prevail to what degree they
may affect the wines and liquors imported into this
country.
Some proper ana efficient supervision over the i'm
ported articles Should be exercised to prevent the
introduction of the articles intended for consump-
ton which may contain poisonous or injurious in
gradients unnaturally compounded with fernented
and alcoholic liquors. report from the Secretary
of the Treasury concerning the facilities possessed
required by the Treasury Department for the pre-
venti0n OF such evils is much to be desired.
1t may be possible. also. to devise proper and eff
uner ea Of OF The
of wines and spirits imported show in many cases
remarkable discrepancies between the declared values
OF the articles shipped at foreign ports and the mar
ket values of the same i'll such ports afiording pre-
sumptive evidence of fraudulent labels or marks
designating the contents Of bottles or casks.
The information called for by the resolution relat
ing to internal systems of taxation affecting Amcr
can exports would. il obtained be especially mpor
tant for the of the Senate when considering any
propositions for commercial treaties or other ques-
tons relating to commerce In France all exports
OF American Wines alcohols and many other articles
OF consumption subject to the internal system
of taxation in addition to the general tariff.
statement Is given showing that wines in
wood upon entering Paris are taxed. in addi-
ton TO the general tariff ,23f. per hectolitro,
continuing little more than txenty-six American
gallons and wines in bottle, at the rate of 5uf.;
spirits in wood 266f per esprits in bottle,
32sf Fortified wipes taxed also for the excess Of
alcohol above fourteen per cent.
The committee say
The rates vary in different French cities. They
show discrimination against bottled wines and
spirits. An octroi tax is also imposed upon empty
bottles 1t is important that complete hlforna-
ton on these subjects should be obtained,
not only relating to France. but also to other
countries with which have commercial relations,
in order that it may be shown to what extent local
industries projected against American exports by
taxes other than those under general tariff laws.
The exports of American alcohols have increased
rapidly in recent years During 1877 1900 barrels
were received in the port of Marsailles. This
amount was increased in the first ninc months OF
1878 to $1,000 barrels, but an examna-
ton of the French customs reports shows
that with the exception of trihng quantity these
alcohols were ali re-exportcd. The interests of
American commerce require that it should be known
what countries becone the real consumers and in
what they treated after leaving the United
States before reaching their destinations.
American acohols come into competition in foreign
and is therefore important to know the nature and
extent of such competition.
LIABILITIES AND ASSETS OF THE TREASURY.
The following is statement Of the liabilities and
assets Of the Treasury:-
LIABILITIEs.
Fund for redemption of certificates of de-
posit June 8. 1872. $40 100, 900
Post Office Department account. 1851 ,0j5
Disbursipg officers balances 1874, ,052
Fund for redemption Of notes Of national
banks failed '.in liquidation and
reducing circulation. "............... u.74o.6O1
Undstributed assets of failed national
banks ........................ s76.oOO
tional bank notes es................... 1888. .63a
Fund for redemption of national bank
| gold notes. 1,72C
| Currency and minor coin redemption ac-
count. .......... ...................... 4,s4t
Interest account. 16s43a
Interest account. Pacific railroads and L.
and p. Canal Company. SGC
| Treasurer United States agent for paying
! interest on District of Columbia bonds. So SG4
Treasnrer's transfer checks outstanding. 3.31341
| Treasurer's general account
Special fund for redemption
of fractional currency.... SS.510,741
interest due ana unpaid. 5,622,543
Called bonds and Interest,". G.699,29I
Coin certificates. ........... 19,0S1 $50
Balance, including bullion
fund. 397, ,0GS, 400
--- 43c, ,997, SOS
-
Total. $3.50 1906 55,
ASSETS.
Gold coin and bullion .$133, ,2G5 80!
Standard silver dollars Observation-Disclosures. 9,J05 T6
Silver coin and bullion. 16,1I5S3.
Gold certificates. 400 22t
Silver certificates. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 1876 la
United States notes. T2,G5O 23
United States notes Especial fund for
demption of fractional currency. .... s,519 741
National bank notes. es................... 1O.14D 40.
National bank gold notes. ................ 92si.
Fractional currency 12S, IN
Deposits held by national bank deposital
......... 2io, ,5s6 80:
Nickcls and minor coins 1,451 6ls