The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-11-21
REVENUES FROM THE TARIFF.
RECEIPTS UNDER PRESENT LAW
UP TO THE STANDARD.
And This, Too, In the Face OF Heavy
ImpOrtations Before the Dtngley
Bill Went Into Enect-Last Four
Months show an Increase.

WASHINGTON, Nov 2o.-The discussion
as 10 the revenue producing qualities OF
the present tariff law lends especial inter-
est to a series of tables Just issued by the
treasury bureau of statistics. showing the
receipts from various sources by months
during q long term Of years.
An examination of these figures show that
the customs receipts Of the treasury de-
partment now amount 10 one-half of the
ordinary expenditures of the government,
which is about the usual proportion allotted
10 tina. branch OF the revenue producing
service The ordinary expenditures OF the
government, aside from those Of the post
office department. which is practically self
sustaining are usually calculated at about
Sl,oo.too and averaged during the years 1894
to 1897. $500 500. oe per annum. and al about
the sans ratio In 1898, emitting the Pacific
railroad and extraordinary war expenei-
lures. The general plans OF those charged
with the duty of providing the revenues
for ths government have contemplated the
production OF one-half of the necessary
expenditures from customs and the re-
maining half from internal revenue ana
miscellaneous sources or, In other words,
haif million dollars day from customs
and half million dollars day from inter-
mai revenue and miscellaneous.
1t is interesting. therefore. to examine the
detailed figures OF the receipts OF the gov
eminent during the time I'm which the pres
mai conditions, and to determine whether
it is supplying It's assigned proportion. one
half OF the normal expenditures The daily
statement Of receipts and expenditures is
sued by the treasury department shows
that on December i. the one hundred and
fUrt.eth day of the present fiscal year. the
customs receipts had during these IA days
amounted "a S3J.3io,4I9- OF this sum a liz.
tie over $l.eDoco WIS from the duty placed
upon ten by the war revenue act. SO that
fully 81 Hsso 9 Of the $3.50, 429 received in
these 80 days are the legitimate normal
revenues from the rates levied by the Gus
toms law enacted in July. ls9S or a little
more than the promised rate of a half
million dollars a day from customs under
that act.
The receipts from customs during the
past ten years have averaged SIS. lss.o 90 per
month. This ten years term includes the
operations OF four tariff laws and IL is
-la@rafore interesting TO compare the opera
tons o. 20 new law at i!s various stages
with this general average during a ten
years term, which includes the operations
of four tariff acts
AS L was not expected that the new law
would IN It's first few months. operate nor
/ Ynal!y in tts production OF customs revenue
owing to the excessive irnporlaEons lust
prior 70 its enactment, ii is not improper 10
show first, the average receipts during the
first four months OF its operation, !nclu1ed
tn the calendar car is3T, and also 10 con-
slider separ9 teiy the last four months Of It's
operation dating from the beginning OF tho
present fiscal ear.
Rec4ipts from eusi Oms. monthly average:
Ten years 1ss4-eS SIS ist 90; August TO De
cernber 1897. s. II 600; January 10 Novern-
bsr J. lsSS. s15.Vlf.opo; july ! ~ November /,
lssf6, $i5,g33,4.0.