The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1884-03-22
TOBACCO REBATES.
Red Tape and Mode of PrOcedure---
Settlements to be Made Directly With
Claimants or Their Attorneys.
lSDectM CUrresp0ndence of The Chronicle

Special Coyrespondence Of The Chronicle.
WASHINGTON, March 19.-In the office
OF the Comptroller Of the Treasury there
is at present an old gentleman whose ra-
dlant cOuntenance and dancing gait would
seem to need some explanation. He is
the clerk who reviSeS the accounts Of the
Commissioner of Internal Revenue, which
are certified to him by the Fifth Auditor
de Is one Of those rare governmental en-
ployees who chuckIes over big pile of
papers, and who hurries to his work hours
before he is required Some weeks since
his greed for labor was, however, more
than satisfied. There were sent to him
for examination and revision over forty
eight thousand tobacco rebate claims. In
tense excitement was discernable in his
face for several days He left off eating
He could not, with all his diligence, how
ever, revise the claims soon enough to suit
the impatient dealers and manufacturers.
1t caused him pain to show any disability,
but he was constrained to admit that with
the force which he then had, these claims
would consume in their adjustment about
| three years, according to his careful arith-
metical calculation. The tObacconists stir
red themselves, and to such good purpose
| that the Secretary of the Treasury not
| only detailed six clerks to this Depart
ment, but issued an order for the whole
number of employees in the First Comp
troler's division to work two extra hours
a day. These rebate claims will, there
| fore, be speedily adjusted. In fact, war
rants began to be issued for their pay
ment March 9TH.
1t is not generally known what is the
nature Of these claims and with what
care they are prepared and audited. The
act of March B. 1888, which took effect
May 1, 1888, made a large reduction in
the tax upon chewing and smoking to-
! bacco, snuff, cigars and cigarettes, and
this act allowed all dealers and manufac-
turers who had original unbrOken pack
ages on hand at the time of such reduc-
ton a rebate of the full amount OF re
ductiOn.
BY the provisions Of the act claims were
required to be presented within sixty days
from May 1st, and by the regulation of
the Commissioners Of Internal Revenue
an affidavit of claimant had to be at
tached, showing that an inventory of his
stock was made on that day. No claim
for less than ten dollars was to be con
sidered The act allowed those to take
stamps in payment who chose to do so,
and it is strange so few availed themselves
of this privilege, for by accepting this
mode of payment nearly all delay would
have been avoided. To secure the money
however, the claimant was required, nfSl
of all, to make out his claim, have it at
tested by two witnesses, and an officer
qualified to administer Oaths. Then il
passed under the scrutiny of a deputy
collector who also made affidavit as to his
knowledge of the parties and their credl
bility The collector added a similar aft
davit, and attached a written statement
and schedule Of the tobacco. as examined
by him, and sent it to the COMMISSIONS
Of Internal Revenue, who after careful
) examination passed it to the Fifth Audi
tor. The other steps are yet to be taken
the re-examination by the First Comp
troller, who certifies a balance, and ad
viSes the issuing Of a warrant by the Sec
; retary Of the Treasury upon the Treas
urer.
The important question arises, III wha
order will these rebate claims be settled
According to revenue districts alphabet
cally or geographically There is no Ger
} tain order Warrants issue upon then
, just as they are examined, and they ar
, examined IN the order in which they wer
sent in. OF one thing those interested
: may be sure, that the claims are bein
2 pushed most industriously, and in five o
2 six months all will have been paid-an
s they will be paid, it is said, not throug
the collectors, as it was contemplated a
5 one time, but directly by check to claim
ants or their attorneys