The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-12-08
MORE TAXES
To Be Levied To Meet The Treas
ury Shortage.
SPECIAL TAXATION .

Will be Resorted to to Meet the Ex-
travagances of the Republican Ad-
ministration, Which Has Squau-
dered the Money of the People
With q Lavish Hand.
Washington, Dec. 4.-Now that
the election is over Republican poll
ticians are speaking frankly concern
ing the nations finances. A renewal
of special taxation is considered es-
sential by Republican leaders In
congress. to meet deficits and con-
stantly growing expenditures, and
an internal revenue duty may again
be imposed on many, if not all ar
ticles so taxed during the Spanish
American war.
A deficit that today aggregates
$50, 100000, and by June 80 next
will total s1OG,OOO,OOO, has brought
Representative Tawney, chairman Of
the house appropriations committee,
and others charged with formulating
the great money measures here in
advance OF the assembling of con-
gress to consider the situation.
Messrs. Cannon, Tawney and Payne
have conferred on the subject. Mr..
Tawney has talked the matter over
with President Roosevelt and Sec
retary Cortelyou.
He has requested Mr.. Cortelyon
to prepare some data indicating the
revenues derived from articles SUBJ
| jected to the war revenue tax and to
indicate others that may eventually
| be placed in the list. It has become
evident to the leaders that revis-
| ion Of the tariff will not materially
increase the revenues. While lower
duties may bring larger imports in
some instances, in others there will
be falling off Of importations, and
thus the books will about balance.
Secretary Cortelyou has given no
intimation as to what his suggestions
will be, but they are certain to in
clude tax on coffee. Three cents
pound is the figure mentioned.
| This was the rate imposed up to
| 1882, when it was placed OF the
free list. = 1t is also the almost un-
animous sentiment that the tax on
beer should be doubled, making it
| 50 a barrel 1t IS already virtually
settled that there shall be no dimi-
mutton of the rate on sugar, as it
is the best revenue producer the
government has. A renewal of the
war revenue act would almost ex-
actly Offset the deficit.
1t brought into the treasury
trifie more than 100000 year
In four years s46,OO0,O0O were COL
lected on legacies, or an average Of
S11, 100000 per annum. Beer was
the big money-bringer of the war
revenue law The added dollar a
barrel realized s3O,UOO,OOO year.
The tax of ten cents pound on tea
was the next item in Importance,
bringing in $1O,0O0,O00 year. 1t
is desired to avoid, if possible, all
the numerous stamp taxes, not be-
cause OF their eXpensivcness, but be-
cause of their inconvenience.
A two-cent on kilograms and tel
eph9ne messages. Life insurance
policies were taxed six cents for
every 500 of value. Chewing gum
was assessed four cents for every
dollars worth. One cent was COL
lected for each palace or parlor car
seat sold or barth occupied. Rail-
road and steamship tickets were
taxed from 81 to SO. Bonds, GER
titicates of stocks, proprietary med
icines, notes, bills Of exchange, buck
ct shops and brokers transactions
bills Of sale; agreements, drafts, eX-
press receipts, bills of lading, leases,
protests. almost every form of legcl
document were compelled to bear
tax stamp.
National banks with capital
stock of $4,000 paid $50. and 50
for each additional thousand do!-
lars of capital. Brokers and pawn
brokers were taxed $50 and $50 re-
spectively. Theatres, concert halls
] and museums paid 500. y circus
paid S100. All other shows con.
tributed $40. Each billiard table
or bowling alley was taxed IS.
The tax on tobacco and snuff was
doubled. being raised from six cetns
to twelve cents a pound. Ghc to-
bacco dealers were taxed from Sc
to $24, according to volume of bus
mess. The tax on cigars and cigar
etts was proportionatly increased.