The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-11-08
The Internal Revenue.

! AA~~@
WASHINGTON, Novembea 4.-The an
nual report of the Commissioner of Inter-
nal Revenue has been submitted to the sec
rotary ofsTreasury. Asa result of the con-
SOlidatiOh of number of the collection
districts, he estimates the annual saving to
the government at ss125,000. The redllc-
tion of certain taxes and the abolition Of
others will cause decrease in the annual
revenue of not less than $43 100000 AT
the same time the increased revenue from
distilled spirits for the current year will
make the aggregate receipts for the year at
least $1,000 900. For the fiscal year end
ing June 80 they were $l14, 553,3l4. The
| Commissioner feels satisfied that there are
fewer attempts now made to evade the
law and defraud the government In order
to facilitate the labors of the department
| in securing the conviction OF persons 50
offending, the Commissioner recommends
the enactment of a statute fixing thelimita-
ton for the prosecution of etfenses at u
less period than five years. except in cases
where the accused places himself beyond
the jurisdiction of the court. 'slndeed,
says the commissioner, II have been
strongly urged tOrecommendapro proclamation
OF general amnesty to all persons who have
retaied distilled spirits without the pay
ment OF. a special tax and to all persons
who have operated small distileries with
out registering the same, and complying
with other laws and regulations. This
view is urged by its advocates upon, the
ground that alarge number Of those. thus
engaged are DESTROYS of abandoning their
unlawful practices, but having long been
violatOrsI of the law, they see nOspeeial in
ducement to leave off if, at any time, they
are to be arrested for what was done with
in five years. ~
The Commissioner reports a decided I'M
prOvement in the condition of affairs IN the
localities where, until lately, the produe7,
ton and traffic in illicit spirits and tobacco
have prevailed to 4 great extent. The COLI
lections from tobacco for the fiscal year
ended June 80 were $43, 104.249, The in
crease in production Of manufactured to-
bacco, cigars, etc, during the last fiscal
year was 8, 159, 497 pounds increase inprO
ductfon' of eigars and cigarettes: a2S4 500,
004.tTOf this increase 1856, ga .97T were ci-
gars, and 9S 1864. 027 cigarettes. Thereport.
in a review of the tobacco tax, contains
figures which show that the reduction of
tax rates made by the act of March |, 1888,
will, OH the basis of last years business
cause a reduction of revenue from tobacco
during the next fiscal year OF at least $25,-
100000. There were operated during the
last fiscal year 5.l29 distilleries. The
quantity of grain used in the production of /
spirits during the year llS,644,Ts1 hushelsl
is less than that used in the last year (27,-
459, 095 bushels) by S,Sl4,3OS bushels. and
is G.T05, 500 less than the average (25,350,-
1853 bushels) for the last four years. This
decrease corresponds closely with and eX-
plains the decrease in the numberof gallons
of spirits produced during the year, which
is - 22335 lis gallons, rs against U4,l49,077
gallons for the year ended Jnne 30, 1882.
The quantity of molasses used for the pro-
duction OF rum during the fiscal year is q
1913. JOG gallons, an inpleaae of 25l ,305 gal
Ions over the quantity used in the preced-
ing year (2.57S, S5l gallons) used during the
last four years. Z;
In regard to the use of alcoholic vapor in
the manufacture of vinegar Commissioner
Evans says: ut seems to me that further
legislation should be had relative to the
concession made to manufacturers Of vine |
gar by thetaet of March !, 1879, which per
mits this class of manufactures to seperate
the alcoholic property from fermented
mash, wort or wash, and to use the same in
he production of vinegar
This privilege is one which presents to
INSCRIPTIONS persons temptation. AS
the law stands, the anomaly is presented of
one class OF manufactures using alcohol |
in their business who are allowed to make |
Uuelf OWL duCOfiOl WltHOuG SUPERVISION OF |
control. while the distilers who produce
alcohol for use in all other trades and kinds |
of manufacture are watched with constant
care and subjected to rigid restrictions In
my opinion Safeguards to the revenue,
which experience has demonstrated to be |
indispensable in the one case, cannot be
omitted with safety in the other. / would
urgently recommend that this privilege be |
withdrawn. Such manufacturers have for
several years obtained all the alcohol used |
in their business free Of the tax of ninety |
cents gallon, and | do not assert that it |
would be wise to change the law to the ex-
tent of denying them that privilege. But |
practical experience has very clearly shown
the proportion of alcohol needed in the,
wash from which the vinegar is generated. |
am informed that no. wash. over twenty |
proof can be usefully employed, and that if !
it is over that strength it will not acetify |
Whenpassed through the generator. Indeed |
practical operators assertt that a wash over
fifteen per cent? proof cannot be utilized |
This being SO, if the aWshould he changed |
as to allow drawback to vineger makers !
for the tax paid on the alcohol used by them |
in making vinegar the opportunities for |
fraud would be reduced to the minimum. |
lEH,.