The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-08
COLLECTION OF TAXES.
System Employed by Spaniards to BE
Continued for Time.

ment has flnally decided to continue in force,
for time at least, the system of collecting
taxes in Cuba practiced by the Spanish au-
thortieS but with some very important
changes made in the plan, all in the direc-
ton of liberalty towards the taxpayers and
in the honesty of administration The plan
is embddied in the following general order,
which represents vast amount OF hard
work by Assistant Secretary Meikeljohn,
which was promulgated by the War De-
partment to-day. 1t is a noticeable fact that
the burden of collection, amounting to
per cent. of the tax, is now assumed by the
government instead of being imposed upon
the taxpayer, while the heavy 10 per cent.
increase in taxation which was levied as
one of the last acts of the Spanish admins
tration, is remitted, as well as all accrued
penalties The order follows
For the convenience of the taxpayers of
the Island of Cuba, and until the military
authority is prepared to perform the work,
it is ordered that Banco Espanoi de la Isla
de Cuba Spanish Bank of the Island of
Cuba) shall proceed to collect the general
taxes levied on persons and property in the
Island of Cuba for the fiscal year commence
ing July /, 1898, and ending June so, 1899;
also, taxes of similar character imposed by
levies prior to 1898 and now delinquent and
unpaid. The said delinquent faxes shall be
kept separate from taxes accruing and pay
able on and after JAN /, 1885, and shall be
held by the authorities of the United States,
subject to future direction. The money col
lected and received by said bank in payment
of said taxes shall be reported daily to the
commanding general at Havana, and shall
at all times ne subject to the draft of the
commanding general of the island or his
authorized agent.
1.-The tax rolls, lists, receipts and all books,
papers, documents, etc, relating or apper-
tanning to said taxes or the collection there
of are public property, and their possession,
custody and control belong to the military
authorities of the United States of America
during the period of the military occupancy
by the said authorities Of the Island of Cuba,
and during such time as they shall remain in
the possession of said bank, or any of its
branches for the purpose of collecting said
taxes, they shall at all times be subject to
the inspection, examination and disposition
of said military authorities or such person
or persons as the said military authorities
may designate.
Payment of taxes collected pursuant to
this order shall be in currency, and at the
rates prescribed for the collection of GUS
toms in the Island of Cuba under executive
II. i.
and in accounting for the taxes so collected
to the military authorities of the United
States the currency rate at which the tax
was collected shall be maintained.
"All of said taxes which We're due and
payable prior to the 31st day of December,
1885, and payment of which has not been
made, and which would be subject TO in
crease by penalties under the Spanish adj
ministration, shall be relieved of such pen
alties or increase if the amount originally
levied is paid by the 2Sth day of February.
1899; otherwise said penalties are to remain
in force and effect. The increase of said
tax by adding thereto 20 per centum of the
amount levied, which was imposed by the
government of Spain as a war measure, is
hereby Cancelled and remitted
''The said bank shall deliver to the per-
sons paying said taxes the receipts there
for heretofore executed and deposited with
said bank by the Spanish authorities, but
before delivering said receipts or receiving
the money in payment of said taxes said
bank shall deliver said receipts to the mill
tary authorities, which shall be thereupon
marked approved by the military COM
mander of the is and or his authorized agent
and returned TO the bank.
"'The said bank SHALL at its own hazard
and expense, transmit the money collected
pursuant to this order to any point in the
Island of Cuba where such bank has or may
hereafter establish a branch concern, upon
the order of the secretary of war so TO do,
without exchange or additional compensa-
tion for such service save and excepting ac-
tuaI cost OF transfer of funds or transporta-
tion of currency.
This order shall continue in force until
,f,aof tod nv no
notice thereof being given to said bank,
such notice being given the authority con-
ferred by this order ceases ten days there
after.
said Banco Espanol de la Isla de Cuba
spanish Bank of the Island of Cuba) is
further required to give a bond in the sum
of Sl,O00,OOO lawful money of the United
States. conditioned upon the faithful per-
Torrance of the services to be performed
pursuant to this order which said bond
shall be approved by the secretary of war.
AS additional guaranty for the faithful dis
charge of the duties hereby contemplated.
said bank shall deposit with the secretary
of war such other security as he shall from
time to time demand
I'm consideration of the services to be
performed under this order the secretary of
war shall allow to the Banco Espanol de la
Isla de Cuba a sum equal to per centum
of all money actually collected for said
taxes and paid to the government of the
United States by said bank, which said 5
per centum shall be collected as required
by the regulations when said taxes were
levied.
"R. A. ALGER. Secretary of War"
Havana Electric Railway Company.
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