Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-06-13

WASHINGTON, June 12.-Revenue officials
In different parts of the country are con-
tinuallY sending in complaints against drup.
gists and others indiscriminately selling
and keeping exposed for sale unstamped
packages Of cologne waters and bay rum.
When approached on the subject the deal
ers invariably plead in extenuation of their
conduct ignorance Of the law: notwith-
standing the fact that they had been fur
nlshed with full instructions on the subject.
The latest complaint on the subject comes
from Collector Wade, of the Savannah. Ga.
district, who reports several cases and, sug-
gests that the druggists should
be required TO furnish a statement under
oath OF their sales Of perfumery and cos
metic articles, with view to assessments
OF the taxes omitted to be paid by them.
He also asks for instructions in the pre-
mises.
In reply the Commissioner calls the Col
lector's attention to sections 3435 and 3437
United States Revised Statutes, also to
special number l45 revised and to the
regulanons concerning assessments,
aud says: You will observe
that In making these assessments the law
limits the Commissioner to a period of not
more than two years after the sale of these
articles. No other positive or definite in
struciion applicable in all cases can be
given IN regard to the precise mode of
obtaining proper Information and of
estimating the amount which has
been omitted to be paid. In cases
where parties have failed through
ignorance of the law and of their liability
they have voluntarily furnished the Collec-
tor with the precise number and value of
packages sold unstamped. The correctness
OF the amount thus reported may be verified
by an examination of the books of the
manufacturers or dealers when practicable.
In cases where the manufacturer fails to
voluntarily render such statements, the Col
lector NAV ascertain the amount by an
examination of the books kept by the manu-
facturer or dealer. In case no books are kept
the Collector may estimate the amount by
the best information he can obtain | see
no reason why you should not Immediately
proceed In sCme or all of these WAYS to
ascertain the amount of taxes that these
druggists have failed to pay by stamps on
/ these articles"
| o. L. Pitney, the custodian of the Treas
urY Department, and the apparent head OF
the ring that has been for years stealing
! from the contingent fund of the Treasury,
has been before the committee that is In
| vestigating the aforesaid stealings several
| times. He has answered questions in
! general way, and has given such informa-
| ton as he desired to the committee. The
! o.her day the committee put him on oath
/ ard then began to question. Pitney refused
| to answer. He would not say anyl hing un-
/ der oath. The committee will await the re-
! turn of Secretary Window from Minnesota,
/ before taking any steps as regards his
! refusal | hod For
/ ct al, that he refuses to make oath about
his transactions. 1t is bad enough anyway,
but the refusal puts worse phase on it.
| Before the oath was administered to Pitney
he was asked about sn item of thirty-five
boxes OF candles, which appear on his
| books, but which were never received. The
Teasury DtpartT ent uses gas altogether, so
the discrepsnc in the purchase OF SO many
! candles naturally attracted attention.
When asked what became of the candles,
P .tneY cooked his legs on his desk and said:
"Oh, they were not candles ~ 'What be-
came of the money 20 he was asked. "Oh,"
he said, with his thumbs in the arm holes
OF his vest. "the money went to cover the
expenses of a little supper given by Secre-
tary Sherman to the officers of the Treasury
Department, about month before the Chi
| csgo Convention" 4"
The following notice to mariners has been
Issued by the Lighthouse Board: "Notice is
| hereby given that, on and after August ], +,
1881, two sets OF range lights will be shown
| to mark the channel leading into Port
| Royal sound from seaward-the first to
guide through the southeast channel, and
the second to guide up the main channel.
| The first range will be composed of two
fixed red lights, established on Hilton Head
Island. The second range is on Paris Isl
and. and is composed of two fixed white
/ lightsn