Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-07-24
A DOCUMENT FROM THE LIQUOR
DEALERS.
Their Grievances Stated and Redress
Demanded

The Executive Committee of the Liquor
Dealers Association, have just Issued the
following circular, which they are circula-
ting extensively throughout the State:
NASHVILLE, TENN, July 23, 1862
The liquor dealers OF the city of Nash
Vile, feel that the time has srrived, when
they, as Taxpayers, and citizsns Of the
State, should proclaim their grievances and
demand redress. Under this impression,
they respectfully suggest TO the liquor deal
era Of the State, that such action be taken
in the various counties of the State, as will /
lead TO combination and organization
among them, and procure from the next
Legislature, a repeal of the obnoxious, dis
eliminating laws, which are ruinOus to the
honest dealer, and afford temptation and
apology TO the dishonest, for an evasion Of
the law.
We only ask for Equal and craot justice
10 all-eIcluSire privileges TO none" This We
intend to demand in tones that shall not
Only be heard, but needed. The g'sla-
tive department of the State government
has long enough treated as as citizens to be
taxed, and enemies to be robbed. Our
| business is recognized as legitimate by
taxation, and yet branded as infamous, by
| insuppOrtable discrimination. A recur-
renee to the legislation of the past ten
years, pursuing, as it has invariably, the
same object, establishes conclusively the
| design Of the Legislature TO impose bur
| dens too heavy TO be borne by those who
would obey the laws
| Previous to the war, as will be seen by
reference 10 the code (section 553), the
| State tax on sales OF merchandise, WAS
one-half per cant. On invoice cost where
purchased, unless the same had already
been taxed in the State; then no additional
tax. The license to retail liquors, see
code, sec. $50, sub-seC. y was twenty-five
dollarE, if the value Of the liquors did not
exceed two hundred and fifty dollars, and
ten per cent. on all above said amount.
| Cities and counties could levy an addition
al tax, not to exceed each, the State tax.
| Now, the merchants tax is one per cent.
on the invoice cost, (7ee acts of 1861,
page Il, chap. As, sec. -, and the license
for retail dealers is one hundred dollars for
the State, with the privilege 10 each city
and county to impose an equal taxation
for city and county purposes.
BY the Metropolitan police act Of March
9, 1867, the City Councils Of Memphis
! and Nashville, are required TO increaae the
license for retail dealers TO not les than
one hundred and fifty dollars, nor more
than Two hundred and fifty dollars. 10 this
city. the license for the retail dealer is
three hundred and fifty dollars, in addition
10 the per cent. paid on the invoice cost Of
liquors. la such legislation there il nei.
ther Justice nor wisdom. There is no
Justice 10 discriminating between the Vari.
Gus kinds Cf merchants or merchandise.
Taere is no wisdom in imposing tax, the
exUrhitanCy of which invites violation Of
law Again and again have we, as CitiZ M,
appealed to the Legislature for relief from
the heavy taxation which must eventually
drive ia from business. or force u5 into the
ranks of those who daily violate the law 10
avoid its burdens. Our appeals have been
answered only by Increased taxation. The
General Assembly Of the State having been
deaf to our reasonable and Just demands,
the necessity arises for the liquor dealers, in
each aud every county Of the Stale, 10 in
mediately organize, concentrate their
strength and Insist that the candidates for
The Legislature shall pledge themselves to |
redress our grievances, before they receive |
our support. Should suCh an organic .tiun
be TOO late to accomplish anything Ia this |
election, still let The organization he formed, |
without delay, and demand Of the next
Legislature, in terms not 60 he mistaken, |
relief from the present pressing imPo-i-
TORS.
la order TO accomplish our purpose, We
recommend county organizations through |
out the State, aud Il central organization in |
this CITY, to he continued until cer,ain per-
manent relief ia obtained. Finally, for the |
success Of this cause, let us pledge 10 each |
other our means and influence.
4. &. CARTER,
4. HEMPHILI,
G. A. WAND,
T.. WALSH,
JoHN HISS,
II. :. MUNDY,
Executive Committee. |