Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1821-08-14
KICHMONU, AUGUST II 1871.
FROM a WESTER.V CORRLSPONDEsVT-
FOR THE ENQUIRER

FOR THE ENQUIRER.
No. ..
A NEW SCHEME FOR IMPROVING ROADS
Having been considerable traveller myself
as well iii carriages along our scaboard, as on
horseback beyond the mountains. have had am
pie opportunities of witnessing the advantages
OF good roads. With rich am. dense popu-
lation on the East side Of the Allegheny noun
tains, the roads (turnpkcs excepted,) are in
general, but passably good, Yet lack embellish-
incn;s: while on the west side and throughout
the western states, owing to their poverty,
scattered population, and immense tracts of
wilderness, their roads are in very bad con,ii-
lions and claim some more eflectual asst
ance than their state legislatures are able to
bestow.
Rejecting on this subject, while lay awake
one morning, L was considering, whether |
could devise any practicable mode of raising
the necessary ,rGys and means for their assis-
lance: and think | have at last hit upon an
unexceptionab!c plan, not only to provide
them, but every county in the United States,
the means of improving or embcllishing their
roads: and that not only without any addition
al expense TO the national treasury, but like
wise without the necessity of creating even !,
single new s:aried officer, to carry it into eff
feet.
My project is, that as whiskey and street
milk are both of price in the Atlantic States,
and whskey and butter7nM the same in the
Western States, that Congress, in order to
encourage the miik-trade as more conducive to
health and good morals, than the trade in
whiskey, should pass an act something similar
to that which follows: laying duty of three
cents per gallon on whiskey while it continued
6eto,c certain price say thirty cents per
gallon duty so low and triling, that the
poorest drunkard will not complain, and the
object so praise-worthy and public spirited,
that ii is hoped no liberal minded man will say,
Nay.
An act to aid in Improving rOnds throughout the United
States.
/. BE 1t enacted By &c. Sc That from and
after the lst day of January next, there shall
'bc levied and collected three cents per gallon
on all whiskcy, brandy, gin, or rum distilled
within the United States and that the said
duties shall continue to be collected as long
as the wholesale prices of those articles shall
be under thirty cents per gallon.
.. Ind be ii further enacted, That all the
duties so collected within each county, shall be
annually paid over by the collectors, to the
treasurer or clerk of each county, in order to
he expended and appropriated to the opening,
improving, building, or repairing such roads
or bridges, as the county court or corporation
may direct.
j. .if,i he al further enacted, That every per-
son or persons owning or working a still for
the dlsullatIon of the aforesaid liquors., shall,
whenever the assessor shall call for that pur-
pose hand TO the assessor a true statement in
writing, and signed by his or their names, con-
taininS the number Of gallons distilled by him
or them within the last year-each year 10
heSin on the ist day Of January, and conclude
on the last day of December i'm each wear
And if any distilier or owner of a still, Shall
refuse 10 give any such statement, the assessor
IS hereby directed To assess the number of gal
ons, aud the duty thereon according to his best
Judgment: and which assessment shall be as
lnai aGd conclusive against such distiller, us if
he had made tlle statement himself. And the
assessor nj each county is hereby Authorised
to perform all the duties of an assessor under
this act.
4. .iaa be Il further enacted, That every
person guilty OF making false return of the
quantity distilled by him or them, shall upon
conviction thereof pay at the rate of 10 cents
per gallon on the amount Of all liquors SO con
ceased or falsely returned. And all such addi-
fIonal sums or fines when collected, shall like
wise be appropriated TO improving the roads
OF the county in which they are collected.
>. int be Il fitrttey enacted, That the col
iectoFs the ordinary taxesin each county, are
hereby authorised TO collect the aforesaid tax
or duties within their respective counties, and
receive the same rates of commission or com
I'tHsdtlon IOr taeIr services as thew now re-
cave And they are hereby authorised to sue
all deIlnquents under this act, and recover for
me use OF the county the amount of such du-
'ues as may from time to time remain unpaid.
t. '4af'6e At further enacted, That if at any
lIn'e any dispute shall! arise between a cCllec-
Tor and adistiler, whether the wholesale price
/ oil the liquors aforementioned are under 80
'eitS per gallon, the county courts and corpo-
ratlons are hereby authorised to hear the par
ufs' ard decide the same in summary way.
{" 'fhd be II further enacted, That whenever
lhe price of the aforenamed liquors shall be
above so cents per gallon, lincluding the duty
all Tie provisions made in this act shall cease.
NESTOR.
MUTUAL ASSURANCE SOCIETY.
IhurSdGy, august 9.-=Mr. Scott submitted
me following Resolution, which was adopted
fe'ofre@, Ihata Committee he appointed to exa.
,ne ne evidences of stock, debts and cash now ON
nHno; hciongmg 70 the Mutual Assurance Society
, now rrcdnced TO this Meeting by James Rawlings
'Stir fdnciPa Agent, and report forthwith the result
pl INIT examination
Ana n committee yy1s Jpnniufsd eors;..;,, =.