Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-02-17
imposed BY The &C, passed at the last General

reduction OF lie taxes upon all subjects OF taxa
ton with The exception OF merchants licenses
The reduction OF the taxes was to be len per cent
as recommended by the Committee of Finance
he wished 10 test the sense Of the House upon the
rroprlety OF reduction. He was satisfied there
was no complaint Of the taxes in his county
There was no objection 10 a reduction oihe taxes,
II appropriations were mol 10 be made for any OBJ
Iecs, other than the ordinary expenses OF Govern
ment. There was small balance in The Trea-
sury al The end OF the last fiscal year. The taxes
should be laid with a view 10 next year and The
necessary appropriations. There would be de-
ficil in the Treasury, if the proposed reductions
were made. There was no certainty IN The taxes
upon dividends, and should the banks be unable
10 declare dividend deficit in the treasury
would be the result. The appropriations already
ordered were he following: for the Southwest
ern Road $4,000; for Primary Schools $50 600;
for Revolutionary claims $4,000 and for The
reyisal OF The Criminal Code $4,000. Ac-
cording 10 the report Of the Committee there
would be a balance of $4,000 al the end
OF the present year. The balance at the end OF
the year iS47 wonld be Sl15,0OO From this sum,
il We deduct the appropriations above referred 70,
balance of only $4,000 would be lett. The
publication OF the revised civil code would cost
$50 900, and the long session required together
with the incidental expenses would consume
Zoo more. Reduce the taxes, and the result
would be that the Legislature must borrow money
or sacrifice most important Interests. He would
favor reduction oil the taxes, il the interests OF
the State justified it, The Legislature had the
means in their power for The accomplishment Of
important ends, and the people were willing that
they should retain them. The Commonwealth
was in debt, and it might be desirable 10 make
provision for the purpose OF meeting its future liza
bilies. TIE plan proposed by the Committee
Tor the reduction of the debt appeared very well
in theory; but experience had shown that il was
not practicable. The proposed reduction OF the
taxes would amount in the aggregate, 10 $40
COO. This sum might be Jndiciously applied 10
useful works of improvement or devoted to the
liquidation Of Tie public debt.
Mr.. EDMUNDS said the question was not
whether The people complained OF The present
taxes but whether the additional burdens should
be imposed upon the people for The purpose OF
making extravagant appropriations. WIN
proper restriction upon appropriations, there was
no danger of deficit, even though The taxes
should be reduced. The dividends on bank stock
and public works would be increased during the
next year; and ii was expected, also, that debt
OF $4,000 would be paid 10 the State BY the Ge-
neral Government. II larger appropriations and
taxes were required BY the next Legislature, they
should assume the responsibility for themselves.
The people should have an opportunity al each
election OF deciding upon the taxes and approprla-
tons.
Mr.. TUNSTALL said there was no man
whose lead he would soone, follow bindiod Than
that of The gentleman from Cuipeper. The House
might rely with confidence upon his estimates and
experience None could accuse him Of eXtrava-
gance. His homespun coat would be sufficient
refulation of The charge. The gentleman from
Halifax was influenced by a desire 10 prevent the
appropriations to works OF internal improvement.
II was well known that itreqnired more nerve 10
vote for tax bill than for an appropriation from
The Treasury. he asked the gentleman from
Northampton 10 assist in providing The means for
carrying into effect his favorite scheme Tor the
benefit OF The primary schools.
Mr.. VERIFY replied that he wond willingly
vote for a higher rate Of taxes provided The sur
Mr. 1UNSTALL thought there was no plan
of improvement productive Of more good Than
that which would afford the proper reward 10 in
dusiry. Education would succeed TO competence.
Gentlemen should feel a pride in the cifcum-
stance, that the credit Of the State was above par
and they should determine TO secure II from dam
ger, by making provision for The payment OF The
public debt. He would testify 10 the loyalty and
liberality of the people OF the Son'hside who
were ever ready TO contribute TO the Treasury al
though they rarely enjoyed the benefit of an APP
preparation The gentleman from Northampton
wished the public debt paid, vel the only plan ad-
vocated BIZ him was a reduction Of the taxes. To
pay debt BY reducing The fund provided for that
purpose, would require degree Of magic sur
passing that Of SigDor BliiZ. or Herr Alexander.
Mr.. HARVIE was heartily in favor Of a re-
duclion OF the taxes He wished The taxes re-
duced 10 an amount sufficient merely for the or
binary expenses Of Government. lie did moi be-
leve that the credit Of The Stale had ever suffer
cd and thought the only danger 10 be appIehendvd
was from unnecessary appropriations.
Mr.. YERBY said that he was al all times OPP
posed to wild and visionary schemes CT Internal
Improvements. He was instructed by his con-
siluens 10 do all in his power 10 promote the
cause of Education, and he was willing 10 vote
Tor the substitute, ioi The purpose of affording The
necessary means Ia carry cut The objects OF The
Education Pill, which he had Introduced.
Mr. GARNETT did no, consider he gentle
man from Culpeper entitled 10 The weight on this
question which had been ascribed 10 him. Thai
gentleman bad voted Tor every appropriation Tor
Internal Improvement introduced Gurirc lie pre-
sent session He was willing 10 vote iur lie sub
,,i,ue, provided Tie surplus should BE- devoted 10
he payment Of the debt OF the Stale.
Mir. WALLACE called Tor The previous ques
ion The call was sustained The substitute
was rejected BY The following vote:
AYEs-Messrs. Souhall Brown of Albemarlc,
Layne Baldwin, Massie, Burwell, Michel,
Boak, Campbell, Thompson OF Boteiouri, Mil
er, Tolrr. Fox, Broadus, Scott, Hal Of Fauquer,
Deskns, Slillman, Wall, Pendleon, Parks, Cal
ison, Lee, McRae, Wooiion, Tnwner, Patrick
DUFF. Goare, Mcintyre, Taylor, ElIzey, Parriou,
= ,rn1
VERIFY, Edgineion, Iiinrr, Tunsial. Lanier, Fair
ak. Stroller, Lyons, Pfi'cbard, Gold, Harper, |
)erson, Slicklcy, Tate, Hall Of TAYLOR Laid,
West Funsien, Goodson, ard Leiiwich-5S.
Ncrs- Messrs. William Fl. 3. Gusts, John H. |
cus,s. Harvic, Powell, Dickinson of Bath,
Camden. Tutpbull, Macin, Bocock Flood Dick
nson oi Caroline Darlington. Winiree, Hobson,
Thompson Of Dnwddie, Chisman, Garneii,
Moss, McCung Street, Saunders, Carson. Jones,
Leakc, Walker Edmunds, Soval Hieu Thomp-
snn of Hampshire, Brown Of Hanover, Flowers,
Godwin, Bowden Wallace, Gaines, Robinson,
Gresham, Gordon, Bagley, Banks, CLAYTON, She
pard, Alexander, Wade, Michael, Kilby, Hap
per. Middleton, Oliver Davis, Mcpherson, Ia
Daniel Brawner, Long, Mar 2, Cowan, Fueate,
Sehre!l. Holiadav, CHM, billiard, Freeman Rice |
and Neal-7.
The hin! section Of The bill, As amended, con-
lained The following provision:
con every ordinary license, or license 10 keep \
4 house OF pubic entertainment, tax OF not less
than twenty dollars"
A motion was made BY MI SfME, that the /
vote filling the blank with the word twenty" be
reconsidered, and the question being put lhereup- |
on was determined in the negative, ayes AZ, noes |
So.
The bill was then ordered to be engrcssed and |
read third time.
BILLS PRESENTED
Authorizing the County Court OF The county OF
Henrico 10 increase the allowance Of their Jailor
for The support Of prisoners;
To enlarge the powers Of The trustees OF the |
town of Charles,own in the county OF Jefferson,
for the purpose Of supplying the said Town with
water;
To provide for the repairs 10 The Capitol and
Governors House, and The erection OF Court
House.
be given to bring in a bill supp Elementary 10 an
act to incorporate the Richmond and Ohio Rail-
road Company and that Messrs. LYONS, TUN-
STALL. CARSON, BROWN Of A., CAR
RINGTON and COOKE, prepare and bring in