Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1872-04-30
IEor the Spirit of Jefferson
The Tax on Bar-Rooms.
We auestion The expedisaov and denv tba

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We question the expedisacy and deny the
right of those WHO levy taxes 10 disctiminate
against Bar keepers
In the first place, as to the expediency.
Selling whiskey BY the drink, whatever.
may she the, case, in Europe, in this country
is regular, well defined branch of traie--as
mach SO as selling calico or hardware. And
of all vacations it is the one that should be
conducted by right minded men-of respect
ability and character who are disposed to do
what is right. But this GLASS of men will not
engage in business at which they must cheat
and trick to make money; hence If an ex-
orbltant and unjust tax be imposed on Bar
rooms they will fall into the hands of parcel
OF thieves and cut-throats who will seek to
make money by eyading the laa-uen whose
raseality is their only capital They are not
here now, why should We invite them.
The Bar>keePers of this town, as class,
are unusually respectable; there are men here
engaged in this business as respectable as any
who pay tag or cas-: yete, asd we don't,
want the trade to fall into less worthy hands.
These men sell whisky because they fud it
profitable fsld Of industry; but, tax them
more heavily than you do any ether class aud
you insvitabiy drive responsibility cut of the
trade.
"Tis maxim among Bar-keepers that.
sshe moro respectable the Bar, the greater the
profits" Peddling poison, by stealth, to
drunken outcast in a dark hole ten fee. under
ground, is one thing-seling glass of wine
to a gentleman in a well regulated saloon. is
another. and they differ as widely as nj ht
docs from day, and the theory of crushing the
trade by taxing it to death will not break it
up, but will transfer it to the hands of bad
men unfit for the business.
The occupation of Bar keeper, per se.t (of
ltself) is respectable enough. Who dares rep.
rebate the trade of the s'wholesale dealer in
hne liquors" Yet, if it be wrong to sell
whisky by the gill, why is it not four times as
wrong to sell it by the pint if it be wrong to
sell 1t by the gallon, why is it not forty times
worse to sell by the barrel.
But as the law stands who has the right to
say the taxes shall discriminate against Bar
Keepers. Taxes are imposed for the sake of
revenue,-not to regulate morals. The State
leVies tax to get money to carry on the gov
ernment; the county lsvies tax to build
bridges, make roads. &c, but it is no part of
the duty of a tax gatherer to regulate and
conserve the public mcrals-the penal laws do
that. You don't hang murderer to raise
money to build bridge; you don't fine
rogue to increase the revenue-the fine is
punishment Hence the scheme of shifting
the rate OF taxation to conserve aud elevate
public morals is utterly fallacous and will rc-
suit in no good. A tax assessor, is one thing.
the president of temperance society is
anothcr-and our laws don't unite them.
The writer is as much opposed to drunken
ness as any one, and will go as far as any to
check its growth, but he believes this onerous
taxation, is a step in the wrong direction. It
would be wiser to compel Bar-keepers to sell
only the best and pures. liquous.
T NJ hf