The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1805-01-08
FOR THE ENQUIRER.

Efbediert5 for executing tie fRem Of Internal
Communication, qVbieb baJ been aiready 4fc
eIo/ed BY the cvriter an Public Roads.
The general plan for eitab!iihing the mott i'm
Portant pubic roads is now completed. Having
admitted, that even 4 partial execution, would
require the expenditure of great deal of mo-
ney, 1t now behoves ne to lhew from what
fources necefiary funds may be derived.
know that it would be vain effort to urge ar
gumentS in favour of enIareing the ordinary re-
venue. The unfortunate iealoufy which exits
as to eattern and we0ern interehs, Glbtsrfed BY
the JYF complaints of TIE latter concerning their
representation "a the ysf4fe, yil fear, prevent
an union eyea i. tAis 2ii .iport2n. qnsaian
But even if this jeal ufy did not exit, i fhouId
not as relates 10 this fubjeGt, recommend an al
ITERATION IN the exiting revenue becaufe be-
heVe that neceiary funds may be obtained, by
means which will neither damp tie (pirt of in
dultry, nor add aught TO the opprefions of the
poor. To this end the following recommends
tons are fubmitted to public notice and deci-
iion.
Firf. The eftablifhment OF puhlic half YEARLY
Lotteries, TO rafe 10000 dollars per annnn, &
to authorize no others until this Object is ac-
compliaed.
Secondly. The appropriation of the Mer-
chant lax and the Dividends of the Bank
of Virginia, after paying the public indictments.
About four years will be fufFicient 10 extinguiih
the debt due to the bank /; after that is done, if
will be reaionable to expea, that the Merchant
Tax (conitantiy ncreafiHg) with the dividends
on the bank flares, will produce, annually,
100000 dollars.
| Tbirdiy. a tax on riding carriages, t. COM
mence upon thOfe which viii cot 200 dollars
and upwards, and to be increafed in An advanc-
ing ratio, according to the actual value or coh
of each that is, all carriages which colt be-
tween 200 and 500 dollars to pay 10 Der cent
on their colt or value: all which colt between
500 and 400 dollars to pay 90 per cent on their
colt or value: all which colt between 400 and
500 doiiarSto pay 80 per cert ON their cot or
value: all which cor between 500 and GOO dol
lars to pay 40 per cent on their coR or value I:
all above 600 dollars to pay 50 per ceat on their
cot or value. In this way thoe who ufe carri
ages FOR convenience, would have no caufe OF
complaint, while others would be OBLIGED to
! payaccording to their wealth or extravaganza.
| FomfbIy. A tax on horfs which are ufed, for
the moa part for pleaiure thi, ought TO he re-
gulated by the numbers which were fupported
/ by one individual or family, agreeable TO ra-
ito ike the following, viz: for one horfe % dol
lars, for two 30 dollars each, for three 80 dolls
each, for four 40 dollars each, sc. In this in
Rance as IN The former, the tax would be paid
by the molf wealthy or the mott extravagant.
frit and advancing fomethiug in the fame man
ner.
The taxes on carriages, horfes and dogs will
no doubt excite murnurs, bur the Legislature
when about to vote, fhould weigh the conCe-
quences of that diiconteut, with the benefit,
which iociety will derive, either by providing
powerful fuccours 70 efablifh ufeful roads, OF
by dearOyinS that focal injury, which isprodu.
ced by competition III the fplendour and va.
Inc of eqnipages. Even thofe upon whom the
tax would fall moG heavily, would be confolet
IA the advantages which they would receive in
having good roads. A rich ofcntatious mar
might be highly gratifed in boating, that h,
had eight or ter hundred dollars a year ia take,
fupOdhIo carriages, hories add dogs
Sirfbly ami kaRiy ii is recommended to Ia,
tax upon every fpecies Of gaming beginning
with thoie games or fports, which are moi
fashionable. The keeper Of public race grounc
ought 70 pay at leaf 900 dollars year for tn.
privilege Of fufering races on his ground.
The keeper ola faro bank or any dinilsr game
oucht 70 pay rs much, and perhaps more TIL,
keeper o. q Billiard Table as much. The keep
"a Of tavern or other houle Of entertainment
two, three or four hundred dollars for the Ii
cerfY of permitting gaming in bis hovfc ans