Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-01-06
VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE.
W,dnssday, Jan. 3.


Mr. EparSps from the Committee on FINANCE re-
ported bill pescrbing the mode OF ascerlainng the
tax on vendors OF certain patent or spechc
Petitions were presented and referred. VIZ: By Mr..
R,cr of Westmoreland, of citizens of Westmoreland,
for an act explanatory Of the act of 1902 concerning
the sebe lands and churches within the State and for
the sale Of Yeocomco Church in said county-By Mr..
HANcocK of the trustees of the town OF Manchester,
for law authorsing them 10 erect water works IN said
town and for other amendments TO tn. act Of ncorpo-
ro,;on-Bv Mr. MOORE, memorial Of citizens Of
Rockbridae for change in the time OF holding the
Circuit Court Of said couniy-By Mr.. NEAL, pet'-
ton of James Dundas and Benjamin kughe, 10 De
allowed 10 redeem certain linds-By MIR. CowAs, OF
citizens of Scott for an act authorizing the Treasurer
Of the school commissioners of said county to pay Ger
tln claims for the TUT Of poor ch'ldren-By sr.
SorruALL, Of citizens Of Alhemarle, stockholders
in the Stanton and James River turnpike Noaa
COMPANY for an increase of their capital stock, and
far sn adSlona subscription the part OF the State
-Bv Mr. You've, a petition of citizens OF the county
of Norfolk fol act prohibiting the catching or TAX
nu o oysters within certain periods by any other than
residents of said county also memorial OF other c.,
items of said in opposition to the passage OF
such an act. Mr. Young sustained the last memorial
with some Jealous remarks.)
Mr. EpNusps called up the Tax Bill
Mr.. EpMusps moved to ELL the blank for the tax on
town lots and houses not rented or occupied and on all
unimprovsd lots with 2i cents for every hundred dol
lars value; which was done
M.
slaves above The age of ~ years, with 40 cents
Mr. BRAwSrR moved to fill the blank with 371 cents,
as that would be rateable reduction with the tax
lands.
Mr. Epauyps said the reduction on lands was greater
than slaves, because The augmentation oil the tax on
slaves had been less than on lands.
The blank was filled with 40 cents.
oreat MANY blanks were filled, the details OF which
we gave in our last.
Mr.. GALLAnER moved TO amend the Sd section, sc
IL of
xclusve of furniture, bis section OF The coun
t,y the rent Of The hotels is much advanced oy the va
ue of the furniture and i, was not just 10 TAX Inc in
niture Of tavern keepers alone.
Mr.. BYRD Of F. sustained the same views, and c'tee
instances Of injustice 10 hIs county.
Mr. EpMUSDs said the tax from this source had al
ready fallen off greatly, and he was opposed TO any u
Their reduction.
Mr.. GAILAurn said this falling off was owing 10 the
spread OF temperance, which diminished the number
tiverns.
tbought the law would be construed as 10 do ample
;ustce but Mr.. GALLAHER preferred MS own concise
words.
MIR. BLUE sustained Mr.. Gallahers amendment.
Mr. WITcHER could see no reasonable ooJecuon :.
The amendment which would produce tne erect aes"e'
by all mt
Mr.. ANDERSON though. the bill, as it stood, would oe
properly construed and the introduction OF inc ameno
ment might produce confusion in the construction
The law 90 tax the farm and land auachea 20 'h'
tavern, which were by law exempted from taxatioh.
MIR EDMrsDs read the law of lo4l, prescribing .ns
duties Of Commissioners OF the Revenue, "n'cn re
ouires them 20 "every thing which makes lne "a
yern valuable" excepting the farm and iands auacnes
to The tavern.
Mr.. srovALL opposed Mr.. Gallaher's amendment
He thought thai, in assessing the yearly rent, IL "a
necessary 10 consider the value of the furniture.
Mr.. LAsiER sad, if VIC intend to tar fafnitnre o.
tave,ns we should tax all other furniture. IL IS no
fair 10 confine it 10 taverns only
The House adopted the amendment. -.
Mr. Enausps moved TO tax merchants licences win
500. where the annual sales are under $4,000
Mr. DAsIEL of Prince George suggested that ne
vorld move TO amend the bill to introduce tax
of $40 on annual sales under g,
MIR DANIEL of Richmond City called attention 70
The fact that the Committee had proposed reduction
If On nor cent on lands &c, but had retained the
onerons tax on merchants licenses. He moved thai
The tar on merchants licenses, when the annual sales
are under IS 600, be fixed at SIC He thought it un
fair 10 reduce the tax on lands, &c and at the same
time not ratrabIy reduce the tax on merchants lcen
Sos He took the Report Of the Finance Committee IT
self as his authority for the propriey OF reduction on
merchants licenses
Mr. Epmusp. said that the Committee had not the
data on which 10 graduate the reduction Of merchants
licenses They could not, with any proprieiy, have
reuced the tax on merchants licenses, because they
had no assurance that they would receive sufficient re-
venue The estimated amount from this source in The