The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-15
INTERNAL TAXES.
Figures from the Annual Report of Interna
Revenue Commissioner Miller.


Figures from the Annual Report of Internal
Revenue Commissioner Miller.
WASHINGTON. Nov. 1.-THE annual report of
Internal Revenue Commissioner Miller, for the
fiscal year ending June 80, 1886. was given to
the press to-day. Besides showing the opera
tons of the bureau for the last fiscal year. the
report contains many interesting tables and
comparative statements of receipts and of the
production and movement of the principal
objects of taxation-whisky beer and tobacco.
The total receipts from all sources during the
past year were SIG 902, $780, against SIP, 42l 121
for ths preceding fiscal year. and $121 500 039 for
for the year ending June 80. 1884. The Com
missioner estimates that Sis 000 900 will be col
iected during the current fiscal year from the
various sources of internal revenue. In making
shis estimate, however, he is much embar-
raised by the presence of new source of
revenue, oleomargarne, and the entire absence
of any statistical information as to the quantity
manufactured, the number of factories engaged
in Its production and the number of wholesale
and retail dealers engaged in selling it. From
the comparative statements embraced in the re-
port are cleaned the following statistics relating
to receipts from the several objects of internal
taxation during the last year: The amount of
taxes collected from spirits amounted to $780,
092 $685. an increase of ST, 5Sl ,057 over the pre-
eeding year; from fermented liquors. $40 676 731
an increase of ST. l45 $40 over the preceding
year; from tobacco $27, 907. 1862, an increase of
$1,000, 274 over the preceding year; from miscel-
laneous collections aud penalties, $226, 500, de-
crease of 500, 532
Illinois furnished the largest amount of in
ternal revenue-$23, 1852 252; Kentucky stands
sext. with $l5. TAG. $40; New York thigd. $14,
&c., 208; Ohio, $l2. 921 $40: Pennsylvania. $7847
n~t Ind
New Jersey, So 951 .805; Wisconsin, So, 095, 3l6;
Virginia, $2982727; Vermont furnished $50,
503-the least of all the States and Territories.
The cost of collection of internal revenue for
the year was 81, 299, 485, being about 81 of the
amount collected, against $50 per cent. the cost
of collection during the preceding year.
Mr. Miller closes his report with the following
observations about oleomargarine: 1T is i'm
possible, at this time. to estimate the amount of
internal revenue which will be derived from
oleomargarine. IT, however, the operation of
the Iaw should prove unsatisfactory in its pres
ent form, which is construed to levy tax only
upon the article manufactured and sold, or re-
moved for consumption sale, as supposititous
butter, the law can be SO amended as, while i'm
posing a tax upon oleomargarne-oil, naphtha
ard such like substances, without which the
eupposititious butter cannot be extensively
manufactured-to provide, also, for the use of
such substances by subsequent compounders
without the payment of second tax, as recti-
fers are allowed to compound distilled spirits on
which the tax is paid by paying an
additional gallon tax, simply by deliver
ing up the original tax-paid stamps and
receiving IN exchange other stamps represent
ing the same quantity; also. for refunding the
tax or so much as is used for lubricating pur-
poses or otherwise. in the arts and sciences. In
my opinion, the advanting in securing the tax
from the manufacturer who derives his material
from the slaughtered animals cannot be over
estimated. These manufacturers are compar-
atively few in number. BY requiring them to
stamp and brand all their productions. and to
keep such books as will indicate the destination
OF their products. such products can be followed
to the dealers. and through the dealers TO the
consumers. AT the same time, by the use of a
system of exchanging stamps similar to that
now in operation as to distilled spirits, the ar
ticle may be readily identified by the consumer
without necessitating the imposition of second
taxi