The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-06

place of the necessarily slower means of
raising money by taxation. might be fol-
lowed by some important increase in the
internal revenue schedules. as well as some
additions to the items of the customs tariff.
We have been looking into the opera ton OF
the internal revenue. act in force in 1866 II
produced. during that fiscal year, revenue
10 the amount of $3le000.000
or course, 1t is not probable at all that
there would be return to the heavy taxa
lion of those times We would not have TO
make the effort now to raise $3l0.000,000 a
year that was made in 1866. We have
doubled in population since then. and more
than doubled in wealth. The internal reve-
nue. schedules in force at this time subjects
to taxation distilled spirits, fermented
liquors, tobacco and snuff, oleomargarine,
filed cheese, opium and playing cards.
These items the last fiscal year produced
Sl47 1000 in revenues. An addition of 81 a
barrel to the tax on beer would add so.
100000 a year TO the public revenues A
slight increase in the tax on tobacco and
return to the system of special taxes
and licenses in vogue few years ago would
contribute much to the revenues without
greatly adding TO the burdens of any one.
stamp tax on bank checks and drafts,
mortgages, deeds, receipts etc. would not
be greatly felt. The internal revenue re-
ceipts, amounting to $4,000, 900 in 1866. in
cuded 600 in round figures from in
comes. The balance was made up by taxes
on articles and occupations, which included
almost innumerable items. But. without
the necessity Of resorting 70 a great major
ity of these, il is probable that the govern
internal revenue sources. might be sur
fciently augmented by small taxes on tea.
coffee and spices. These items might easily
be made to raise $50. 600, 600 per annum- The
most available tax for Immediately lncreas-
ing the revenue however, would be TAX
on beer. The government machine In TINS
line is so well organized that II an addl-
1ional tax of a dollar a barrel on beer were
to be authorized this afternoon. tomorrow
morning the government would begin 10 pc
in receipt of the additional tax. 1t wouid
mean simply the placing OF TWO stamps Oh
the barrels. where one Is now placed
Il mention these things in no wise otl-
ciailv and without the intention OF convey
ing the idea that any one OF them, or all OF
Item will be resorted to. but merely 10
show that the engineers of this big steam
plant. the Treasury Department, nave peen
fnea surfing the capacity Of it's engines Tor
future efforts. Its bearings are iuprlcaled,
and when the strain comes you may De
sure it will be found to work without jar.
With respect to prospective legislation ln-
crcasinE the tax on beer and other articles
IL is said that fortunately, legislation can
be so framed that brewing interests VIII not
heavy purchases of stamps prior to the &C.
tuaI productions of the beer. The trouble OF
the department about the time or the pas
sage of the Dingley tariff. which repealed
the provisions of the old law providing Tor
a rebate of ~ per cent. aon stamp puf-
chases will not be repeated. but advantage.
Il is said. can easily be taken from that
experience to frame legislation so that the
additional tax will accrue on beer to be
stamped on and after the day any act
might go into effect. In anticipation of this
inCS eased tax brewers in different parts of
the country have already made application
for large supplies of beer stamps, but In all
cases these requests have been refused. ana
ton IS so framed to meet attempts to
.cvade the increased tax. tt