Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-03-22
Letter from Richmond.


RICHMOND. Va, March 20.-While the FL
nance Committee was considering the subject
of the Tax bill, one of the most successful and
intelligent merchants Virginia has ever pro-
duced, alluded to the foe commercial advantages
OF Alexandria, and spoke of the superiority OF
its harbor over that of Baltimore He saw no
reason why, under a liberal tax bill, ii should
not rapidly advance commercially.
A procos to this subject, [ can report for
the benefit OF your business men that the Tax
bill DOW before the House of Delegates, as tar
as acted upon, is great deal better than last
wears bill. For instance merchant doug
business up to sixty thousand dollars paid fifty
cents on the hundred dollars, while under the
present bill he will only pay forty cents. The
tax OF TWO aud one halt cents per gallon lm-
posed on recufyers, under the last bill Is lett
out of the present bill and will enable Alexan.
dria rectifyers to compete with those OF Batl
more. An effort will be made to-day to strike
out the two cents gallon gu liquor distilled
from grain, and it is urged that by increasing
the number of Listilieres the State will make
| a great deal more than it now receives. Strange
| to say, with our present restrictive system, nine
| hundred aud twenty-slx dlstllierles, eight hun
dred aud ninety seven of which are fruit dlstll-
| leries, only bring III au auDual revenue, accord
ing to the showing OF the Auditor, OF SIX thVus-
and dollars, the Alexandria, Richmond aud
| Petersburg distileries paying twenty. three per
cent. of the whole amount.
The fact that Mr. Hope, member of Par
ameut, has, on behalf Of u Dumber Of admirers
OF Stonewall Jackson, presented statue of
| Lees great Lieutenant to The State OF Virginia,
| r,,rr b,rn
kindly feeling for their British cousins, but il
has given rise TO suggestions Us TO the best dis.
position to be made of the statue when it shall
arrive. A geutLman of taste aud judgment
has suggested to your correspondent thar It
ought to be placed where Clay's statue now
stands, and that the marble efhay OF the Mill
Boy of the S!ashes" could be appropriately re-
moved to the porlico Of the Capitol, where 1t
would be better protected and preserved than
| it now is.
The proposition, l think, to send Governor
kemper to England 10 behalf Of immigration,
would have met with greater favor had it not
been championed in the Senate by MIR. Allan,
of "chuck- a-luck Dotoriety.
Soue interest has commenced to be felt in
the centennial exhibition to come off at Phila-
dephia 10 '7G, and while nobody seems to feel
gushugy towards the city OF brothery love, "
still they think ii is the best roIicy in Virginia
to have her minerals and other valuable pro-
ducts exhibited on that occasion. Cen Bag
we'll and Col. Gilman, yesterday, 10 the House
Of Delegates, both urged the reference to the
Committee on Federal Relations Of circular
addressed to the Governor BY the Centennial
managers, aud that that committee would take
steps looking TO proper exhibition OF Virgil
MIA s products.
The Press Convention, while small 10 num-
bcrs, seemed to erjoy itself hugely, and did
about as much profitable work as any OF its
| predecessors
40 excellent portrait of Peter Francisco the
revolutionary hero, was added to the State Iii
brary yesterday. Marvellous stories are related
of his wonderful strength. Que was he could
hundred pounds, &c. | have 10 doubt that if
| Washington Irving could have had Peter Fran
cisco in New York be would have made him a
hero and there is no doubt that he far exceled
ia prowess aud strength Putnum, about whom
the new England writer tell such wonderful
stories The portrait is said to be an excellent
Likeness, by those who remember the old hero.
Senator Maddox who was charged with de-
irauding Robert Beattie of a sum OF money was
tried and acquitted 10 the Hastings Court
yesterday.
Mr.. Nowlin in the Senate, yesterday, in
the course OF his remarks, said the people OF
this Commonwealth we're justly indignant at
the course of the General Assembly, its waste
OF time, the excess of legislation and reckless
ness of the peoples money. He said the peo-
pie would be better off il the General Assem-,
bly, met once 10 FIVE years, instead Of annually.
He said the Legislature had done nothing at
all during the session but relieve four OF five
dozen Sherfs and collectors from the pay
mont Of their just dues The Legislature, he
said, had become mere lobbying concern.
They could not point 10 one sing lie act Of leg
isatioD they had done Of any Importance
Mr. Patterson said he had earned his pay
fairly, and did the State service.
INSATIATE.