The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-12-09

banks deposits, $163,2O7; bank capital,
$911 ,A36; total, Sic, 990,606 In this event
it is deemed advisable to take the tax off
friction matches, patent medicines, etc. Due
consideration should be paid to the fact that
large stocks Of these articles, tax paid,
are now in the hands Of
the trade, and now that very
serious reduction in their value, especially of
matches, would result if the tax we're taken
of suddenly and articles manufactured free
of tax were brought into competition with
those upon which the existing taxes had
been paid. In my opinion an act abolishing
those taxes should not go into effect earlier
than say three months from it's passage. The
same may be said in regard to check
stamps. Considerable stocks of stamped
checks are now in the hands of individuals,
banks and bankers, upon which stamps have
been imprinted. think it would be wise
that the operation of the repeal should be
delayed at least three months so as to give
time for the use of these stamps, whenever
interests of the government will allow it, I
think it will be wise to confine internal
revenue taxation to spirits, malt liquors, TO-
bacco, snuff and cigars, and special taxes
upon manufacturers and dealers
in these articles. am of opinion
| that reliance can be placed on receiving the
$3.50, 100000 annually from these sources,
which sum would gradually increase
with the increase of population,
but which would probably be
subjected to..diminution upon recurrenoesof
hard times. In consideration Of the ques-
ton relieving patent medicines from inter
nal revenue taxes, it should be understood
that large number of articles put on the
market and taxed, as medical bitters, are
used as beverage. Persons
engaged in the sale of such articles
are not required to pag special taxes as re-
tail dealers in liquors, so that if the articles
were relieved from taxation medicinal bitters
would be sold everywhere without paying
any internal revenue tax whatever. In pass
ing upon the right of these various medica-
ted bitters to be taxed as such and sold
without payment of special tax as retail
liquor dealers, the Office is often seriously
embarrassed to find the ex
bitters likely to stamp tax and compound Ii
quors subject to be sold only as a beverage.
In my opinion it would be wise to continue the
stamp tax upon all medicated bitters contain
ing more than 20 per cent. of spirits. In re-
| ference to the tax upon savings banks would
be removed, or the whole legislation on the
subject of the taxation of savings banks should
| be modified and made more
| equitable, and there would seem
to be no just ground for continuing the tax
upon the capital and deposits of banks and
bankers if it is found that the revenues are
| sufficient without it. -..,.
During the last four years and four months
4,C6l Illicit distilleries have been seized, 1883
persons have been arrested for Illicit distilling,
26 officers aud employees have been killed and
81 wounded in the enforcement
Of the internal revenue laws.
During the past sixteen months 1870 stills
arrested, and 10 officers wounded
in the enforcement Of the laws. While the
number Of stills seized and persons arrested
since my last annual report is very large, I an
| Satisfied there will be a decrease henc eforwarc
in the number of such seizures and arrests
Regarding the announcement of legal distil
leries, the report says: In every county where
legal distilleries have been established in AM
number, illicit distilling has almost ceased!
Violent resistance to the law has become
almost unknown, and there has been large
increase of revenue. The granting OF
increased appropriations asked for for collect.
ing taxes from these distilleries is especially
| urged. Additional legislation for the protec.
ton of the lives and persons of officers OF tbs
United States from unlawful assaults Of those
cd. Gen. Raum advocates the passage OF
House bill 6,460, entitled ga bill to regulate
the manufacture of vinegar by the alcoholic
| vaporizing process" now pending
in Congress-, and says: while
great majority of manufacturers of vinegar
by this process are no doubt following legit-
! innate business, I am convinced there are many
who have engaged in the business for the ex.
press purpose of defrauding the government OF
its tax upon distilled spirits .
The total cost of collecting the internal reve-
nue. for the fiscal year was 81, sos 642, being 6a
knE$ hat ~ - TIT: 50,
for expenses for the fiscal year ending June
30, 1882, are 81, 895,330. During the fiscal year
9ll, O02, GA stamps were issued, the value OF
which was $l34, 942.S60. The commissions,
quotes a letter received by him from the secre
tary of the treasury, June %, the effect o.
the authority of employing persons to be paie
from the stamp roll, an authority which hat
been exercised by him for three years, ant
says: Under the changed system persons who
re regarded by the court as competent and ex
perienced in their work, and were satisfactor,
experience and unknown to tn
commissioner, have been substituted
With the utmost respect to tn
honorable secretary that in my opinion thi
action is erroneous in principle and in law
and, in my judgm ent, should be revoked by
circular issued by Secretary Sherman" Jul.
3Oth last the appointment of store keepers
| gaugers and tobacco inspectors was also trans
ferred from the commissioner of internal rev
, enue to the secretary of the treasury. Afte
, criticising this action to some extent, Gen
Raum'says
, Il have not questioned, and do not questio
the right of the secretary to obtain info,ma
tion from such sources "a he may deem prop
i er on which to make these appointments an
. removals, but it occurs to me that the Office
who by law has charge OF the general superiu
: tendence of the collection of the revenues, an
has so much to do with the officers in question
should be consulted as to the necessity of NAL
ing appointments. $3.50. ID
The total amount Of collections from tobacc
for the fiscal year ending June 80, $780, VIZ
$38, $40, 40. This amount includes collection
! | of internal revenue taxes imposed upon i'm
: ported manufactured tobacco, snuff and cigar
and special taxes paid by manufacturers
3 and dealers in leaf and manufactured Tobacco
4 and is less than the receipts from the sam
source for the fiscal year Immediate
). preceding by $1,264,862. The dccrea.
on tobacco and snuff ",
Q So, S00246. OF this decrease So, 633, 100 wa
/. on chewing and smoking tobacco. $267,526 o
q snuff. The increase in collections from ciga
}. and cigarettes was 81, $3.50, 536. The increas
q Of productions of manufactured tobacc,
- cigars, ETC., was l4,649,476 pounds. The r
port continues: The entire receipts fro1
manufactured tobacco. including snuff, for Il
y year ending June 80, 1880, were $21 ,SO4, 76
Sc L. - p