Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-07-28

provement of the portion above that
place, and below Fort Benton. The object
of the work was to secure a sufficiently
deep and unobstructed channel through
the difficult reaches to accommodate exist
ing commerce and in its progress obtrud-
ing rocks have been removed, and wing
dams constructed. The operations proved
very satisfactory to the steamboat men,
| and still better results are expected to
follow the continuation of the work. The
permanency of the Improvements already
made is guaranteed by the character of
the river bed, but below the present
| field of operations the banks lack
stability AMI lasting Improvements cannot
be expected, and light temporary construc-
| tions are therefore recommended for that
part of the river. Much difficulty has been
experienced in procuring labor, and fur
nishing supplies and machinery. giving
rise to frequent and long delays and some
hardships.
Captain Quinn urges that ample appro-
priations be made for the improvement of
| the Missouri river, which is navigable for
1000 miles between Sioux City
and Fort Benton. He states
that 100000 pounds Of freight were
shipped by steamboat above Bismarck the
past year, although the improvements had
scarcely begun, and says the possibilities
of the Missouri silver valley when the chan
mel is suitably improved hardly admits of
speculative exaggeration. The report sets
forth the difficulties attending the con-
struction of enduring Improvements on
the lower river and recommends system
of following up the channel little by little
and holding on to all that can be gained.
During the past year $37,919 was ex-
pended and 100000 asked for the contin-
alton of the work on the Yellowstone river.
The Improvements were confined to the
vicinity of Glendive, Montana, and con-
sisted in building dams to close chutes
and confne the water to the main channel.
The resulting scour has caused a material
deeping of water upon hitherto difficult
shoals. 1t is alleged that similar works
below Glendive would give short river
haul to Fort Beauford, instead of 300
miles haul upon difficult river as at pres
ent. 1t is believed that 100000 can be
proftably expended in the continuation of
this work during the next fiscal year,
where during the past year $1O8,86U
was expended.
AN INTERNAL REVENUE SHOWING.
The commissioner of internal revenue
has written aletter to Secretary Folger in
regard to the operations of his Office in
which he says, 81 have the honor to report
that the offices of all collectors of internal
revenue, 126 in number, were carefully ex
amined before the close of the last fiscal
year, ending June 80, 1888, and the entire
collections of internal revenue for that
year, amounting to $144, $50, 1866, have not
been only accounted for, but paid in the
treasury of the United States. My prede-
cessor, Hon. G. B. Raum, in his report to
you dated July &c, 1882, made statement
to you which I repeat. He said: sit is
further my pleasant duty to report that
during the past six fiscal years the sum of
$748, 1881 ,071 has been collected from inter
nal revenue taxation and paid into the
treasury without any loss by defaleation"
The expenses of collection the past fiscal
year, including the expenses of this office,
will be found on a final adjust
ment not to exceed $5,108, 300, or less than
81 per cent. on the amount collected.
The expense of collection for six years has
been about $27,057, 300, or Go per cent.
on the amount collected. This sum has
been disbursed without loss to the govern
ment, Notwithstanding the material
changes made in the law by act of con-
gress the Sd of March, 1888. Yet, so
large was the increase of taxes derived
from distilled spirits for the year ending
June 80, 1888, there was collected $144,-
553, 1866 of internal revenue.
The collection of this vast sum cost the
government about $5,120,O00, a percentage
of 80, and the money was disbursed with
out any loss to the q. s. 1t gives nae
pleasure to state that the report of the
collector of the internal revenue agents
Indicate not only very satisfactory con-
dltlon of service as respects efficiency, but
also that no combinations exist to defraud
the government of its internal revenue, nor
is it believed that any important efforts
are making for illicit manufacture either
of whisky, tobacco or cigars. Much praise
is Justly due the officers in the service for
the zeal and efficiency with which their
very important duties are discharged.
The executive order of June 25, 1888,
directing the consolidation of the revenue
districts is being executed as rapidly as
the great labor of doing so will permit. 1t
is to be hoped that in few days, or weeks
at most, the order will be made to take
effect in nearly all the districts affected by
it. In some instances the matter will
necessarily be delayed by difficulties in
cident to the execution of the new bond
required of each collector designated for
district as newly constructed. Your at
tention Is respectfully called to the state
ment appended, which shows compare
lively the receipts from the various
sources of internal revenue during the
two years, also the total amounts collected
in each collection district during last year,
and statement of the total collection in
each state separately.
Furthermore, I append an estimate of
the probable reduction in internal revenue
for the current fiscal year, under the act of
March 3, 1888. The estimated aggregate
of these reductions, as you will observe,
is nearly $43,0OO,OOO. A comparative state
ment of receipts for the fiscal year ending
June 30, 1882 and 1888, shows total
receipts as follows: 1882, $146,-
523,273; 1883, $144, 1866, a decrease
of $969,97O. Total receipts from spirits
1882, $64,873,408 1888, $74.36S,775. In
crease 81, 495,367. The increase was main
ly from spirits distilled from grain, $4,674,-
314 from retail liquor dealers; special tax,
$780, 32; from spirits distilled fruit, $32,-
1856, and from wholesale liquor dealers
special tax, $16,S97.