The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-12-07
$2.679,339 sc

that the ordinary expenses OF the Govern
ment for the last fiscal year were less than
for any other year since the Constitution
took effect, and less by S10S,90G.H than the
average annual expenses on the same ac-
count during the previous six years. The
temporary increase Of extraordinary eX-
penses is due to the cost of the recent as
sessmcnt OF lands and to the special appro-
priations of your last session to public in
situations.
THE MEANS OF INCREASING THE REVENUE.
In devislng means for meeting the def
cheney in the treasury / have heretofore
urged upon your attention various subjects
OF taxation, among which are some OF great
value, now imperfectly taxed or not taxed
at all. 1t is in no spirit of importantly, but
with very clear convictions OF the import
ance of the subject, that I again invoke
their consideration.
The outline Of bill for taxing spurious
liquors in bulk, referred to in my last an
nual message, has been singularly misun-
derstood. Many of the commercial class
object that the tax would operate as a bur-
den upon commerce, and especially upon
the manufacture and sale of spirits within
the State. So far from this being true, the
entire tax would rest upon consumption
alone, and would necessarily come. out Hoi
the consumer; for while the tax would be
levied and collected in bulk, it would be
added to the price paid by the retail dealer
and afterwards refunded to him by his Gus.
toners. 1t could not in heslightest degree
affect the sale OF. liquors beyond the State,
whether manufactured in it or transported
through it, because its operation is carefully
confined to such spirits as are consumed
within our limits. 1t could not give the
least advantage to manufacturers and deal
ers beyond the State over those within it
because it imposes uniform taxation upon
all liquors actually consumed by our own
people, whether made here or elsewhere. a
moments reflection disposes Of the ob!ec-
ton that the payment or the tax will be
eyaded, for the amount Of it is so moderate
and SO easily paid, and the penalties pro-
yided are so stringent, that it is impossible
any dealer would, by attempting evasion,
hazard enormous losses for the sake OF
trifling contingent gain. The only frauds
to be; unprecedented at all might occur in the
cIandestine use of very small quantities OF
untaxed spirits ut points near the State
boundary lines; but no dealer could afford
the risk OF sharing even in those frauds,
and they would, in any event, be too lncon.
siderable to be felt as an Influence upon the
revenues from this source. Nor is there
any warrant for the objection that a new
corps of officials would be necessary to en-,
force the law and collect the tax; for the
plan proposes to employ none but the pres.
emit revenue officers, who undoubtedly
would be able to execute all its provisions
without creating any new charge upon the
treasury. 1t cannot be supposed that tas
of thirty cents on the gallon OF spirits
would lessen the traffic in them or The pro
duction of them, for after all it would ope
rate as q tax Of less than half q cent on eact
dranght or glass OF the quantity consumed
Nevertheless, statistics, carefully verified by
facts, prove that such tax viii yield 4
yearly increase Of $3.50, 900 to the treasury
No tax would be SO cheerfully accepted By
the great body OF the people; none would
be less. felt or SO easily paid, But il it bt
preferred that the law on this subject stand
as ii is, then the taxable evil which impose:
the most grieYous costs and charges on tht
Government will continue to yield in ths
least return. IL (.
The present oyster-law, however abb!
and skilfnlly devised, yields no revenue ant
gives no results. Both for protection ant
for taxation it is worse than nilgatorY
Most valuable oyster-f fisheries in other coun
tries have been permanently destroyed fol