Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-01-17
Ertnrtinn.

Extortion -1,
"A We have expressed our opinion very freely Of the
nbsurdity Of attempting to restore the prices of all Ar'
clos 10 the rates of 81 and as we love fair play, we in
sert the following supposed proceedings on the part OF
the COMMITTEES for the purpose Of perfeeting its hui
A, meeting of the Committee on Extortiou it was
resolved TO send for persons and papers In pursuance
Of this determination the first person brought before the
Committee was Proprietor of one Of the First Class
Hotels when Inc following proceedings were had
Chairman. You are aware, Mr. Boniface of the OBJ
ecis of this Committee. We are charged TO inquire
into every mans dealings and to square every mans
operations BY Philosopher Squares inyariable rule Oh
right Gross outrages have been perpetrated on the
community 81 the extortOnate and ntolerable charges
of every class of people We intend to make the cor
morants disgorge their ,igot gains, and to institute
such regulations viii render il impossible for them to
repeat their iaiquies You have been summoned as the
representative Of your craft and you will make true and
faithful answers to the questions that may be pro-
pounded.
Mr.. Bonifacs-I am at your Honor's service.
Question.-what do you charge day for boardP
Answer.-Eight doIlhra
Q-What did you chargein April, 'sl2
ALSO dollars.
Qon what principle do you justify this vast advance
in your rstesi
A-The advance In all the articles Of consumption.
Tea is DOW SIP pound-then 81. Coffee l2 cents now
g. Eggs 50 a dOzen-then one shilling. Oysters 50
gallon-hen so cents. Turkeys IS peee--then 81 !
cents; &C.. &c.
Dwell suppose we reduce these articles to the then
prices could you not afford to reduce your rates
A.-By no means. That would ruin me. These high
prices justify my high rates. but take care not to use
these articles at all My-hens have not beguA TO lay
therefore furnish no eggs and make clear gain OF the
original shiling-and With oysters, turkeys tea ana
coffee The North Carolina hen-nest grass constitutes
my tea and geurine Virginia ryeO my coffee
Q.-Yhat are -FOUR prOstsf
A.-Very ip5Onadsrable-I suppose they do not much
exceed $40, 400 per month.
chairman-That W. 90, Nr, Bonihee, for the pres
sent you may retire, the COm-'tss VIII ''Sf O'oe' "
your case,
After the retirement of Mr.. Boniiace, several othe
representative characters called and among others
a jew blOckader, Government COmmissary, Govern
ment jObber wholesale and retail grOcer-al of whom
greatly enlightened the Committee the mysteries of
trade and the best modes for the rapid accumulation
Of princely fortune.
l, was proposed in the Committee and very favorably
entertained that all these characters be required dis
gorge and that General Lee be called on to detail
company of infantry and company Of cavalry and
battalion of artillery each of the First Glass Hotels to
that the rates be prescribed by the Committee be
not exceeded and in they are, to eject the Pro-
prietor, and keep the Hotel, at the public expense
and for the public gOOd and that the General in Chief
be also required to station squad at every store in
Richmond, provided that the total number for he city
does not exceed $4,000
The details of these examinations also the actiSn
of the committee will be given in full hereafter.
Ia speaking yesterday of impressments, we stated
that he price at which Government is impressng -four
is from two TO three dollars less than the price paid by
the Government to the Crenshaws" We should have
used the words HAKHl, CrenshaU Co, that y the
name of the frm with which the contract was made,
and Mr. L. D. Crenshaw is the only one Of that name
We learn. who Is a member of that firm. As to the
price paid by Government, based our calculation up
outhe known fact, that whestwas bought largely st
81 bushel; and -four could not be made of wheat at
that price for less than 10 or $50. But only referred
to the matter to Illustrate the injustice of the system of
impressment The subject of the contract is before
Congress who win do what is right both to the public
and TO individuals.