The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-06-17

THE MERCHANTS LICENSE TAN AGAIN
TnE STATE OFFICERS REFUSE TO SIGN TIE
PROTESTS OF. MERCHANTS-WuAT TO DO
Now. Auditor Of Public Accounts
having addressed tire following letter Of in
S,ructlonS to Deputy Treasurer Tinsley, he
will refuse to sign the formal protests pre-
pared by the counsel Of the merchants. Mr..
Muniord. the commissioner Of the revenue,
viii! likewise decline TO sign the protest:
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGrSIA,}
OFfiCE AUDITOR OF fUHllC ACCOUNTS,
RICHMOND, 18th June. 1874.
Nr. S. q. Tiasley, Deputy Treasurer:
Dear >ir.--ln reply 10 your inquiry touching the
rrop,cty OF your signing certain certificates for
the merchants OF The city or Richmond. prepared
hy thcir counsel. have only TO remark that as an
il is yours. IL that the law is enforced aud the
taxes collected 50 far at least rs the performance
the duty Is d,volvcd by the statute upon this de-
,.rtmeni or upon your Office. Whatever tax is
assessed by the Commissioner OF the Revenue,
when property certified 10 You, II Is made your
duty To collect and receipt for In the mode pre-
>ciihco by law. should the TAX be paid under pro-
tr>'. very well. This you canno, prevent. But you
vii sign no certificate nor any other paper relating
1t The iaN except the simple receipt. aS above
stated, ANA that "nr III the Ordinary mode.
l am, very respectfully.
WILLIAM r. TAYLOR.
Auditor Public Accounts.
In consequence Of these instructions of
the Auditor the lawyers advise their clients
who propose 10 test the legality of the Ii
cerSc Ian 10 deliver to Il. B. iunford, COM
missioner Of the revenue, the following pro-
tcst-SiZ:
RICHMOND. VA. Jure -. S74.
II Il. b. M,tnford. Esq, Commissioner Of TIC Rev
cuuc. and aS such Assessor OF state taxes III the
Sir.-lu response 10 your circular letter and the
iulrrrosa;uricS accompanying the same, and pre-
testing against your legal right to l'ropound SAID
i,,,. -nrtp M a.
Your legal right 10 assess me with me licehse,tax
my business rs IL merchant illegally Imposed ny
The act nf the Gtnrrat Assembly oi Virginia, enu'
lied An act for the aSsessn.nt levy. ana c0!lec-
lion oil taxes" approved April 3Oth, 1874, mere
with return yon the s;ud lnttrrpgatolies WIN III!
answers thereto declaring that submit 10 said IN
terrugaturi.s. and the assessment 10 l Z lnaue d!
YOU oil 4 icenSciaN upon my ILLNESS rs merchant
in accordance Herewith and the provision OF said
act OF Assembly. only Ill order 10 avoid prosccu-
iuu for the pt naty prescribed uy Salu act against
merchants falling 10 comply with It's provisions,
and declaring that ii Is my purpose 10 protest
ag;ua>t the collie ction from me oil tne hccnse-aA
which may be assessed by you. aud ANNOUNCING
and procIatHing my Intention 10 sue inr ,, ana re-
cover back The amount OF said lax, upon the ground
that the same Is illegally eNiced oil Inc snouiu Nv
compelled In the iace Of my protest agains! II 10
pay the same.
Affidavit must be made that the foregoing
protest was delivered to the Commissioner.
4 paper has also been prepared to be pre-
sented TO the Treasurer at the time Of pay
ing the license tax. Copies Of both papers
and full instructions will be furnished to
merchants by Charles U. Williams, E.q one
OF their counsel.
All State licenses should he procured at
once. The specific tax of so on merchants
is 10 be paid ut the time of procuring the
license. The amount of tax over that sum
i> TO be paid quarterly on the 10Th of July,
October. January, aud April. The specific
tax on liquor merchants is to be paid at the
time of issuing the license, and the tax on
cross amount Of sales at retail is to be paid
on the iir>t days of September and March.
All other license taxes are due and payable
now. The license year runs from the lst OF
MAY TO tie 3QIh Of April.