The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-11-16

ors offices. They make examinations on an
average of once every three months. These
revenue agents are expert accountants. Each
examination develops the exact liability of that
collector at the time the examination is made, so
that no money collected for any length of time
can be covered up by dishonest collectors or
their clerks. Then, we have twenty other rev.
enue agents who are assigned to general duty
throughout the States and Territories. They
see that the revenue laws are executed, and in
struct revenue officers in their duty. These
agents are changed about from one field to
another in such a way that it would be impossi-
BILE for them to favor dishonest officers or travel
in beaten paths"
'Do our native wines have to pay a taxl / in
quired
'No we get no tax on native wines, and we
pay no attention to the manufacture of wines in
this country, except in preventing adulteratlon:
For several years makers Of wines In the United
States have been manufacturing an imitation
liquor We try to prevent this and wherever 1t
is made the manufacturer is liable to the same
penalties as for making any other kind OF dlssll-
lation."
"You remember the proposition fought for so
strongly In Congress last winter to exempt man.
ufacturers of domestic brandies from tayationV
oh yes" answered Mr. Rogers. 'But there
is no tax on domestic brandies. They are man
ufactured by parties who qualify as rectifers.
If they are small rectifers they pay 800 year
tax Ind if they want unlimited resources they
Of this tax that congressman from brandy-pro-
ducing districts worked for the passage oe the
bill you have mentioned. The manufacture of
sparkling wines, which are limitations of liquor,
have caused the revenue service much trouble
Although sparkling Wines in the eyes of this
service should come under the classification Of
liquors. we are unable to secure o tax from them.
nave IN mind st. Louis firm that bottles ITS
wines for three years before placing them on the
market. Other manufacturers force age, or
maturity, on their goods by the use of chemicals,
making an imitation liquor. However, the tax
from this class of goods would amount to very
little, if we were able to collect it."
Such strong, and earnest, and persistent de-
mend has been made upon Congress for many
years. and it seems to grow in volume, that it is
quite probable the manufacturers of liquors
and fermented goods for family uses will be pro-
vded for; also the growers of tobacco. At pres
ent the producer of tobacco is not permitted to
sell his Farmland or neighbor any of his produc-
tions should it be in any way manufactured
without paying tax. A man is not permitted
to dispose of any kind of distilled or fermer ted
spirits without paying tax. Some kind of a
compromise hitherto mentioned will undoubted-
ly be affected. 1t would not be great hardship
to the government and would, without doubt
simplify matters in some sections. For instance
1t costs the government more to prevent fraudu-
lent Installations in portions of North Carolina
than the revenues amount to, and yet the people
there want to make the stuff for their own use
only. AT present 1t requires the employment OF
gauger, or store-keeper, or guard of some kind
around every one of these little rectfying estab-
lishments, which pay but 800 year to the gov
eminent. Now, it cost the government 81 day
or 500 year to pay these government officers,
so that there is loss to the government of
about 5000 year upon each one of these places.
1t costs more to make collections in these sec
tions than any other. The revenue service re-
port that but little trouble and expense is entaed
in the we'll educated and thickly populated States.
1t is about as little trouble and expense to look
after some dstlleries as some National Banks.
Revenue service reports show that there are
very few frauds perpetrated upon the govern
ment in the large distilleries of Kentucky and
Illinois. AS much attention is given by the
bureau, however, to these wellconducted places
those suspected of wrong doing. The system
of making collections from manufactures of to-
bacco is so perfect that the government loses
very little money AT present cigars pay Sc per
thousand only, revenue tax; cigarettes, $l.75
per thousand; snuff pays 16 cents per pound;
manufactured chewing and smoking tobacco 16
cents per pound Distilled spirits are taxed 80
cents per gallon and ten-cent stamp is re-
quired upon each package intended for exporta-
ton. Fermented liquors-beer, ale etc-$1 per
barrel containing not more than thirty.one gal
Ions or So per barrel of not than sixty
three gallons. z. S. HEATH