The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-02-17
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.
RICHMOND, Va, February i;
he Editors of the Dispatch q:


To the Editors Of the Dispatch:
Knowing the public spirit of your Journal
and its keen appreciation OF every pubic
question " hich affects the welfare OF me STATE,
trust you will permit me to discuss briefly IN
your columns the subject Indicated ABOVE:
Being salesman myself from New York, and
Virginian by birth, education. and sympa-
thv. feel conscious that no utterances OF
mine can be attributed to sectional bias.
The law which requires on the part OF
statesmen or drummers a license for passing
business.cards or discussing goods with the
merchants of Virginia is just now attracting
special attention, both in and out of the State.
on account of the reckless manner in which
spies and informers are attempting to carry
out its provisions. A fine of two hundred
dollars is imposed by this law on persons vio-
Iatipr the same, and there seems to be dis
position on the part OF some persons to make
the law as odious as possible by the eXtraor-
binary modes OF collecting the penalties, half
of which 90 to the informer. Gentlemen from
New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore are
frequently stopped on the street by policemen
or other officers, and arrested merely on sus-
picioa of having sold or offered to sell goods.
Before the Police Justice in Richmond it
Frequently appears that there is no other
ground for arrest under this law than the
passing of personal card. A retail mer-
chant from neighboring town, who had
made some purchases from jobbing.house
In this city, was arrested few days since
as he came out on suSpicioa of being drum.
mer himself. Has it come to this pass thata
gentleman cannot visit his friends in Rich
mond without subjecting himself to insult,
arrest, and detention on the naked suspicion
of informers who are watching and logging
his steps. only intent on getting their blood.
money? Are these spies 50 anxious to get hold
OF their ll.gotten gains that they must needs
arrest merchant Of this State because they
suSpe Il him of being mplc.mercbautI 1t Is
too bad that Old Virginia should let loose on
Innocent and law.abiding citizens and deni.
zens such hungry horde Of detectives. Is
there no way to abate the nuisance?
Was this law passed in the interest OF
Richmond jobbcrs! | have heard il so stated,
but do not believe it. The wholesale mer-
chants of Richmond do not fear competition.
They are too intelligent 10 be protectioniSts,
and, would think, are in favor OF free trade.
Ii salesman from the North can furnish
goods to the retail merchant cheaper than
they can they could not reasonably object TO
he people, made poor by the war, getting
the advantage OF the lowest possible prices.
Therefore, L reject the theory that this law
was enacted at the instance OF local jobbers
as means of driving off competition.
The more rational view is that the law was
passed asa means of revenue, and it would be
an interesting AS well as amusing search TO
discover the exact amount derived by the
State from this source. The assertion is ven
tured that the amount OF revenue so derived
is altogether too paltry to justify the LeSisla.
ture in allowing the law to remain longer on
the statute-book-a monument of inefficient
finance and ridiculous commentary on the
ancient hospitality OF the State. Why not
follow the example of Tennessee, where law
similar to that in Virginia has been declared
void by the Supreme Court Of the United
States as being unconstitutional, and where
the drummer can exhibit his goods in the
broad light of day without motestation?
Tennessee tolerates drummers, aud she is
PROSPEROUS. If Virginia would prosper, let
her remove these unjust and unfriendly dis
ordinations against 4 class of men who are
peacea Die and WelI.disposed fellows. and who
generally leave more money in the State thun
they carry out. My motto Is, Doun ,cth spies
and up acith free trade! MISSIONARY.
(aow, let us hear what the other side has
IN usV