The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1880-12-09
An ENCOURAGING Exhibit.

The report of the Commissioner of In
ernal Revenue, Hon. Green B. Raum, is a
most gratifying and encouraging exhibit of
the prosperity of the country. and at the
same time the efficiency of the administra-
ton Of the department Of which his bureau
Is an important branch. According to his
report, the receipts for the fiscal year 1879,
were s113, ,62l, an increase over the
previous year of $2.795, ASS, while the re-
ceipts of the fiscal year 1880, in the face of
the reduction of the tax on tobacco. were
1928, 9S1 ,9l6, an increase of $40, 1872, 294.-
The receipts for the past four months OF
the present fiscal year amount to $43, 1885,
318, showing an increase over the cores
ponding period of last year of So 65S,2l3.-
The Commissioner says, Il know of no
reason why this increase should not be
maintained during the fiscal year, so that
the total collections for the year from inter-
nal revenue taxes at the present rate would
be $135. 000.0 900. This large increase of rev.
enue is unquestionably due to the prosper
Ous times, and there would seem to be no
reasonable probability of material dimi-
mutton thereof for several years to come,
but, on the contrary, probability OF grad
ual increase, certainly upon ratio equal
to the increase of population. While the
receipts from taxes are thus increasing in
amounts, the demands upon the Treasury
are being lessened by the reduction of the
x,rbl;o dahf nd tho animal intaract oh rUn
1t is probable, therefore, that Congress will
be disposed to relieve the people of some
of the internal revenue taxes, and il such
a reduction is to be made. respectfully
suggest the following list of taxes collected
during the fiscal year 1880 for the considera-
ton of the law-makiIg power" The Com
missioner then enumerates the articles now
subject to the internal revenue tax, which
should be relieved, as coming more nearly
to the every day experience of the people
and presenting tangible realization of the
relief suggested. Bank checks, now yield
ing a revenue of s2,270, 421; friction
matches, $3,56l 300; patent medicines and
preparations, perfumeries, cosmetics, etc.,
&l,S36, 1892; bank deposits. g, 347, 56S. OF +;
savings bank deposits, $163, 207 SO; bank
capital, $s11. 43e. 4S-aggregating 100000
6O613. In reference to the tax on matches
and bank checks, the Commissioner recon-
mends, if Congress should deem it advisa-
BILE to legislate upon the suggestion, to
make the law operative three months from
date of enactment. so as to save from loss
dealers and business associations, which
have on hand supply of matches already
stamped, and checks printed with the stamp
now required.
These are important recommendations
and will be appreciated by the people. They
result from the wise and economic admins.
tration of the Treasury Department, by
which, by reason of the refunding of the
public debt into bonds bearing low rate
of interest, some $4,000 600 of interest an
nually has been saved, and the expenses OF
the government to that extent lessened.
There never has been, in the history oil
this or any government, more honest and
sagacious administration of the money in.
terests connected Herewith. In the past
four years, there have been collected through
the internal revenue bureau about $780,
100000, we think it is. at a cost of from
3 to 81 per cent and not dollar of this
vast sum, coming in through so many rami
fications, lost to the Government. 1t is &
tribute, of unusual merit, to the methods
and system adopted, as we'll as to the fidel
ity of the officers who have been selected
for the work. These facts abundantly de.
monstrate why the people, who study the
general interests, did not want change
and why they wanted well enough to be le
olono