The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1824-03-29

have been formerly. CD. complains
then that l have objected to the FIRST
Item in his account Tares on rsnts; and
that have assumed as basis for my
calculations, that there are 1000 houses
and the average rent 800, now every
man IN town is able to test the accuracy
OF This statement for himsclf;he can count
the houses and value the rent as well as
we can /; and on a strict examination 1
believe 1t will be fonnd this estimate is
too high but thieis perfectly plain
matter here the mode of ascertaininp
the value is given there is no deception
in 1t. Not so with e. ID. his estimates
are made up as he says, by an examina,
Of the assessors books, from his own per.
sonal knowledge Of the property, and
his own valuation oft. But he does not
give us his rule of valuation, that we may
decide for ourselves upon the correct
ness of it, and leaves US to assume as a
fact, what ought not to be doubted-that
his estimates are correct, because he
thinks his mode of ascer,aining them
preferable to the one adopted by Mocha.
MIC. A most wise and potent reason to
be sure !! This is, indeed very easy
mode OF getting rid of The question and
no doubt he takes to himself much Gre
dit for it. But as we mechanics are in
the habit OF making al our calculations
by rule, we must haze one more certain.
~ 10 be relied uf,on, than his ohinion.
(Which, NE knosU 10 be shangea6le, before
7Ve shall give fuU credit 10 his estintstes.
He also states that Mechanic should have
assumed that there are 1000 houses in
town, because The result would then have
been tae same with bis, and this to be
sure is another excellent reason. Now,
With all due difference to C. ID. am
not disposed 10 admit any such thing,
because il is not q fact. Nor will
admit that the usual estimates OF the
number of persons composing a fan lily is
i've, for the usual estimates of the
number of persons composing family
IN populons towns are seven; and in
this town, so remarkable for the good
health of the inhabitants, il is believed j,
will exceed that number. lie says the
next material point Of difference is in the
tax on tavern licenses, and as mechanic
admits this tax will be so oppressive as
to suppress one half of the small inns
which are necessary to the comfort of
the poorer classes, he is welcome to the
benefit of his argnmeni.'' However,
lpresume he will admit that licenses in
Virginia are granted Only, to those who
are prepared to entertain travellers
and to enable them to do this, it is ne
cessary not only 10 accommodate ,hem
with lodging, but also, slabiing fer their
horses. would ask my fellow citizens
how many in Alexandra are prepared to
do this Tor, just SO many, and no more,
will obtain licenses. Are there ss many
as are admitted by Mechanic in his state
ment Most certainly not. There again,
however, every man can inquire for
himself.
The next difference is seventy shop.
keepers, and this e.. d. complains is
stricken out, because they are not known
to the laws of Virgipia--and very good
reason think. Hthey are not known IL
the laws, they canine: be taxed. The
state Of Virginia does not tax loaf bread
bakers, batters, shoe. makers, cabinet.
makers, comb.makersU siiver>smiths,
watch makers, segar. makers, OF any
other description ofmeebarics, for keep
ing shop to sell articles Of their own
manufacture. 1t is only when they be.
come merchants; when they buy and sell
goods manufactured by others, and when
they rely upon buying and selling instead
oil manufacturing 60 support their families
that they are taxed. The commission
ers oil tax, of the state of Virginia, are
not TO be governed in the exercise of their
dutiea nv the fIecisiopa nc The aeeosoar,