The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1891-03-26
FEDERAL LICENSE.
SECRETARY NETTLEToN DEFINES
THE LAW ON THE SUBJECT,

For the Benefit Of Internal Revenue Col
iectors Throughout the Country--A
Change Made in the Form of the
United States stamp Issued to Retssi
LiquorDeaIers.
WASHINGTON, March 90. Secretary
Nettleton, of the treasury department,
makes public the following circular let
ter just sent to internal revenue collec-
tors throughout the country: Letters
are frequently received at the depart
ment stating that in many parts of the
country retail liquor dealers claim to
hold permit or license from the United
States for carrying on their business;
that in many cases where local law pro-
hibits public drinking places the law is
openly violated by persons who claim TO
do business under at least the moral
sanction of q federal license, and that
this fact, together with the belief COM
mon among many good citizens that
the United States government does in
fact issue such licenses, greatly retards
the enforcement of wholesome re-
strictive laws and promotes disorder.
II should be unnecessary to state that
the United States government does not
issue a license or permit of any nature
to any person in any state to carry on
the business of retail liquor dealer, and
IL is difficult to understand how any in
telligent citizen can be imposed upon
by the opposite claim Congress having
levied revenue stamp tax of S25 per
annum on the business of retail liquor
dealer, the commissioner of internal
revenue endeavors to collect this tax
wherever and by whomsoever the busi-
ness is carried on, but no semblance Of
permission, express or implied, is given
by the United States government in its
revenue laws or otherwise to begin or
continue such business in any place con-
trary to state or local legislation.
New Form of Stamp.
1t was to make clear this purpose Of
carefully respecting state and local laws
and police regulations prohibiting or re-
straining the liquor that congress
enacted section 3243 of the revised
statutes. In order that this purpose, as
thus embodied in the law, may be
authoritatively announced wherever the
tax is collected a change has been made
in the form of the United States stamp
issued to retail liquor dealers as evidence
that they have paid such tax. The new
form, which will go into use July 1
next, reads as follows:
United States stamp for special tax, inter-
nal revenue.
Received from - tho sum Of - dollars
| for special tax on the business of retail liquor
| dealer, at - for the period represented by the
| coupon or coupons hereto attached.
And across the face of the stamp is
inscribed the following statement en-
bracing the substance Of section 3243 of
the revised statutes:
This stamp is simply q receipt for a tax due
the vernment and does not exempt the
| holder from any penalty or punishment pro-
| vided for by the law Of any state for carrying
| on the said business within such state, and
| does not authorize the commencement nor
| the continuance Of such business contrary to
| the laws of such state or in places prohibited
| by municipal law. See section 3243 revised
statutes, United States.
1t is believed that this action will
leave no ground for further misappre-
| hension.