Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-10-20

Their design Is unmstakable to encourage production
BY assuring justice 10 the producer As such they
received by the whole country with satisfaction.
appeal 10 Qdarternas.ers aud Cpmmissaries 20 say
with what sacriy the farmers came forward 70 tender
10 them whatever they had to spare from their own
wants, upon these equitable legislative terms.
NoR, a. TO the mode in which these provisions by
Law for the farmer are nued by Official Instructions
70 the impressing agents OF the government.
1t seems these impressirg agents, WHEN appointed,
are posi- lively instructed while allowing the farmer the
valuation provided for by law, TO dapprove it, and
turn to the Board not il in his judgment the vslua
ton is excessive but il 1t shall exceed the rates fixed
by this Board IL is presumed the Board will not over
rule 10 any case its own rates; and IL Mas recently
stated in the newspapers that Delegates ia our Assem-
by urging such appeals in behalf Of their constituents
we're told by member or Members OF our State Board
tina. it useless prefer them. Here, then, official
ingenuity and sronery have circumvened aud ihwa ted
the will of oagress and has made the law read to all
practical purposes Congress had enacted that eve
~ valuation beyond the rates of the Board should be
void The impressng officer has said, and will say, that
in his judgment the valuation though exceeding the
schedule Is fair and not excessive but that he left
10 option but Is Instructed TO certify such valuation to
the Board as excessive.
But the miscLief does not stop here: These agents
for mpreesment hear that q farmer, having an exus
quality of wheat for seed, eau sell II Tor one or two dol
lars beyond schedule prices pounce upon the whole
crop Tor ENCOURAGEMENT Win Tue cOuctsciOn
that he will sell at the schedule prices he is welcome
to do so; thus avang himself Of his powers behalf
of the Government to impress for the benefit Of ind
yiduals Thus, benefcent law promising good fruit
turns TO ashes on the lips!
Nor is this official spoiiatioa email matter. With
aour at from $40 to $50 barrel the farmer loses by
this arrangement from 81 to - per bushe OF his wheat
While the Government pays him by this rule four CT
I've times old prices he has to expend from ten 70 thirty
times what he used to do for his ron his CLOTH his
gar, 10, &c.
Yankee spoiiation would be tolerable, because
anticipated and the act OF on open enemy but It Is
cruel 10 be thus wounded in the house of ones friends
where protection is the retura for heavy and
obedience TO rulers.
Bu. for this Outrage are pleaded the selcdenyiDg
ordinances Of public meetings Patriotism, like char
ity "doh not vaunt ITSELF" The public are not easily
gued aud have learnt TO place proper estimate upon
this cheap ard falacous mode OF pledged contribu-
tons But justice equality and impartisly ia the laws,
and the administration Of them, are OF far greater
price, than all mani esations Of public spirit by words
and not acts cannot see why the burthens OF the
war should tall exclusively upon the farming class.
The great remedy for the disorder Of the times is bona
fe and equal taxation the extent Of the wants OF
the Government, and q speedy abandonment Of all the
make shifts Of impressment, maj mum, &c, &c The
Government, entering the markets with full purse
to buy like Others will find generals Supply and Demand
As able in their spheres 10 correct present ey the
Generals in the field to conquer the enemy
Blu. the present miserable policy Of supporting the
army By impressments, system, will inevitably dis
courage production, aud do to foster discomfort
break the spirit Of the people, and exhaust their
sources, than the enemy. A FAkNER.