Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-03-31


The STAY or Relief Laws were also presented IN a
great variety of forms-dscussed, and finally rejected
The proposition to extend the jurisdiction OF hogIs
raes TO $50 presented, lime after tlme-reierred
70 cummittees-reported on, then dscussed-some'
times whole day devoted each projet-and finally
II was shipwrecked in the Senate. All these relief
measures were the characteristics of particular party
Each had its parzan ills advocate its vote by ayes and
noes-wthou, regard to political distinctions
Attempts made 10 relieve the Banks IN various
forms-and among them, the issuing of small notes.
| The attempts at retrenchment alone, took up a
long lime, from first TO last They not only embra.
ced the officers of Government, but the Bank OIL
GERS The Railroad oficers-in fact the officers of al
most everv institution, in which the State was con-
cerned. The measure finally lost in the House
Wing member moving the indefinite postponemen mt OF
the Retrenchment B-but still it took much time out
of the House, well in the House. And let the
reader recoect, that nearly much business IS done
in The Committees, as in the House. They have a
great deal of debatea great deal of labor upon their
hands-ond these questions took members frequently
from their seats and therefore, delayed the action Of
the House.
The Committee, ON Judge SCOTS case, for example,
were engaged more than two months upon it. This
was entirely and extraordinary question thrown
upon the session-and, from first to last it consumed
much of their time, and involved much expense-and,
yet there is of il TO be found in the Sketches
Of the session.
The various attempts to provide for the interests of
the James River and Kanawha Company-the Spe.
cia Committee of both Houses, which went to
Lynchburg, 10 survey their works-all the questions
about providing for the payment of the interest, on
their bonds, guaranteed by the Siate-and to the
credit Of the Legislature be il said, not only the IN
erest due in January last, but the interest anticipated
for July next these, and other subjects, connected
with other Improvements, consumed no little portion OF
their time. Some of them were strongly argued, ex-
tensivey debated, though ultimately rejected
The Latimer case was new Scene in the drama
upon which of the worthiest Wing orators towards
the very end Of the session. spoke nearly Al hours
Then, again, the New York Inspection Law came
in BY way Of Interlude And the Distribution question
too was foisted in at various periods by the Wing
schemers-and drew at last from Of our aheavy
and successful FIRE.
Bring all these questions ogeher-hrow in also the
variety of bills and resolutions that were rejected
allow something for the number Of new members, 10
whom the privilege is always granted of throwing off
little surplus steam-and who will wonder at the
procrastnation of the session. Yet the Wing will still
cry out-Abuse Of ofice-Waste of tme-Crucify them
Cruelty them Turn them out, and put us again in
athou eh without having several ofthese very compcu
ted and knotty questions to deal WITH last session. they
set within three days of the length The recent session.
Even the Compiler with its various complaints against
them and with its list Of debts and credits, is just
and much more liberal, than the Wing. ut was in
session says this constant Observer much longer than
il ought 10 have becn and that ground fer serious
planl. They longer in session than the Legsa-
ture that preceded them-(but adds the Compiler)
will not say they did less busness-for they had 10
apporiion the Congressional vote Of The State increase
the taxes and 10 deliberate upon the personal feuds Of
Fauquicr which last absorbed great deal of time; be-
Sides they rejected great deal of matter after giving
it their dcbcraton SO that think they have done
much in the aggregate their predecessors still they
were too long about it,
Whilst we have scissors in hand, cannot forbear
cutting out some few compliments which the Compiler
continues mix up with its complaints "They raised
the taxes redeem, rather maintain the faith of The
State-thot nas rood" "They made provision for the
paymen, of the interest the bonds Of the James
River Company, due January last, and in July next
this noble, worthy of the good old State.
"They rejected the odious and mistaken relief mea
sures, and this icc dOncthcy deserve the thanks
and appreciation ofthe People of Virginia for this, &c.
"When TO the elections by the Legislature we
have 10 complain that MIR. Gregory elected from the
Executive Council on political grounds. distinction
was drawn by which it was declared that the office
of Councillor was political one, the party in power
should always fill vacancy in the Council with one Of
their While we deprecate the increase OF the mum
Der of offices for party contenton if the parties will IT,
il must be So The Wings, of course, went for Mr..
Gregory; but mcny admitted the truth Of the princi
pie above set forth Whatever may be said Of the cleo
ton of Councillor the eviction Of Mr.. Wight from the
office of Pcnicntiary Storckeeper and General Agent
ncacusauie. IN tat, lie Legislature committed
an error and did faithful officer and worthy gentle
great injustice. II proposed to right this wrong
by turning out faithful officer in the city and putting
Mr.. Wight in his place: i. c., perpetrating another
mrong. But that is not right On the other hand they
reelected the fur Hhis officers, in the Capitol, with
almost unanmity, and for this they deserve praise.
Cease your murmurs good neighbor-and unite
little justice with your fine feelings of charity
and bene Violence
So much for the Wing sangwhanger, about the
length of the session! But there another topic about
which they are moving Heaven and earth 10 make petty
car al
about The tax bill Upon this complaint, we join issue
with them al The bill is not in all PROBABILITY
perfect 1t subject to US, and presents
thousand difficulties. But experience will disclose
its mperfections, and the next Legislature will sup
ply its omissions and correct its defects lis ge-
neral principle is correct. Some of the Wings de-
clared, that they willing 10 raise the taxes on
the land and labor Of the Sate-but they refused 10
raise the taxes generally on the new subjects OF
They have con;rived to raise clan.or, in behalf OF
the East-and of the towns In vain they were told,
that The upon the old subjects were ncreasedon
lands, from I2 to 10 cens--saves from 40 to 4S cents
horses from l2t TO Ia cents In vain were they told,
that lands spreading the whole State, were raised
20 per cent whereas the slaves OF The East were raised
only Is per In vain they told, that 1t was
not fair to throw the burhens of the Government mainly
upon the land and labor Of the country, without coming
the untaxed capital of the usurious capitalist
without graduating the merchants licenses according
TO certain ratio OF their business. In vain were
they told, that all their propositions had been voted
down-that they could mol ruise the necessary reve
nue. upon the old subjects-that they must either
take this bill, none-that they must either have
this species Of taxation for the Treasury, or encoun
ter all the horrors of reputation Every appeal was
made in vain, and they now reproach US with this
SYSTEM only alternative. We say, in return, give
us this system We take the responsibility cheerfuy,
with The prospect of amendment hereafter But upon
your heads be all the responsibility of the dsgraceul
reputation, which you would have recklessly pro-
voked.
We however lay before the people, excellent
synopsis of the Principles of The Tax bill. II is
from the pen of member, who has devoted his
days and his nights, 10 the subject. We beg the
readers attention to his exposition In addition
10 what he says on the taxing of the State bonds,
let remember, that the act makes no discrimina.
ton between monies loaned out by the State and
by Northumberland that the citizen cannot complain,
that he receives less for his money, than the Stale. No
one, therefore, has any inducement to withdraw his
funds from the hands Of individuals, TO vest them i'll
the bonds OF the State. Those also who complain of
its looking like Reputation, do so without adequate
for, after ALL i, only taxing interest," in what
soever shape it may exist It is not more objection