The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1858-02-03
About Town.
No. 20.

Guent speeches from our friends who are
avorites of tn Q grand tax bill, now be-
fore that honorable body for consid era
ton; but fearful that some inspired gen.
teman in the enthusiasm OF the moment
would collapse, and in our innocence
would have to report accordingly, we, in
our humble capacity, as the Associate
Editor of this paper, concluded it would
be best to stay at home. We did So
What the gents did with the bill and
what they said pro and con we are not
advised, and what is still more we don't
care. We presume though it was laid
upon the table to dry up and blow away
A more despotic ching" we have not
read for some time. Talk about your
Russian serfs, they are free comparative
"! Taxes are aaoeo enormous-reduce
your expenses if necessary, but do not
increase your city taxes, which are alrea--
dy dragging your city down beneath a
cumbrous weight. We believe there is
no city in the country taxed to greater
extent than this, our city of Norfolk, and
we also believe that this same capitation
and other enormous taxes now levied, is
the sole cause Of her present bankrupt
condition--for why levy an extra tax,
if our city treasury is not impoverished.
The meanest and most dependent slave
in bondage knows ,ehat he has to pay to
simply breathe the air Of this Republic
whilst the freeman is continually being
harrassed by extra tax CATERERS, who in
their eagerness to collect their bills scru-
pie not to any degree Of usury to carry
| their ends. We Of course do not say that
NORFOLK is beset with such a motley set
of vile collectors. but we do say that
general reform is as thoroughly needed
here as in many places that are not too
high up in the scale of municipal regul1-
tons; who doubts it Don't all speak at
once.
Arose early on Sunday morning; washed
our face with some transparent soap of
| the Military order, after which we felt as
though We were Commod ore Of mud
boat. Lit cigar and started for church;
arrived just in time to witness the inter-
estinS ceremony Of passing the plate
around. Put our hands in our pocket for
change and found due billsto the amount
of nine cents, which we generously depos-
tied in the plate. We felt strengthened
in the faith by the practical good work in
which We were engaged, for the preacher
told us that it was the incumbent duty Of
every good Christian to bear hand in
the regeneration of the wicked.
Retired early last night after the ia
tlgues of hearty Champagne supper, at
Hartman's, done up in "style" by the
"gentlemanly bartender" Drank and
devoured our portion and left, satisfied of
one thing, that after all, life is all vanity
and vexation Of spirit.
Tumbled. out of bed about 8 O'clock
Beard very long; searched our pockets
for dime to patronize barber, but not
finding one, concluded to shave our
self. Found the edge of our razor rather
out Of or(ier-not unlike saw; hacked
our under lip nearly of, besides cutting
off accidentally three hairs of our we'll
| beloved black whiskers. Went to the
office and found our jour. sick and devil
off on spree.
Thought we had an attack of the Chol-
| era-ran down to Watson's and drank
two glasses of his No l; felta little bet
ter. Started for the Merchants Hotel"
swallowed three glasses of cegeta6le bit
tiers; found it very palatable. Felt much
relieved; but not quite we'll yet. Dropp-
ed in at 'Davy's.' Bsr-keeper mixed us
stout glass of brandy, red pepper and
peppermint, and after drinking it, felt
completely cured, but had strange feel
ing about the head during the remain
der of the morning.
Wrote q c)nundrum or two for the
Day Book, but could not discover the wit
in them ourself-no matter some Of our
5000 subscribers would, As we thought,
80 we let them 60 in.
10 o'clock. Took walk in the co,ln-
trv to enjoy the hanefits of rnral scaneru