Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-02-05
LETTER FROM RICHMOND.


Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette
RICHMOND, Feb. AIR. Charles U. VIII
liams CONES out 10 card in defence OF his oil
imposing tax upon the consumers OF liquor
as beverage taking snuff, tobacco, etc. he
says:
1T will bring 10 large revenue; and it's
simply as a revenue measure that oHereo IL.
| do not intend it as license to the use OF to
bacco and Whskey, or to the haolt OF swear
ing; nor have enough Puritan tana'lclSu to
enable me to regard the measure as reforma-
tory. | cannot believe hat moral reforms can
be effected by legislation; but do believe that
mems vices-the indulgence of appetites which
do not necessarily require grat'hca tiou-are
fairer subjects of taxation thar their Industry,
skill, energy, and enterprise Human ingeou-
ity has been nearly exhausted IN the effort 10
devise schemes Of Indirect taxation upon hu
mar labor 10 order to exempt, as far as posi-
Bile, property. The Ucited States system OF
taxation exempts the whole landed property OF
the country, while labor is reached 10 every
possible way. In Virginia revenue license is
required OF every one who pursues an honest
calling, except minister of the gospel, whl'e
the vices of swearing, drinking, and eamo'lng'
which impair mems minds bodies, and estates,
20 free. Such Law as [ have proposed would
10 q very short time enable US to abolish the
whole odious system OF indirect taxation ;
trade and labor would be relieved OF their
present trammels without increasing the taxa
tioo upon property. earnestly desire to see
the credit of the State upon sound basis, be
cause it is essential to her prosperity. There
is no sacrifice which the people can make Tor
Il Al hn on
result. The measure which | have proposed
is certainly a novel one, and we are loo much
given in Virginia to whistling down everything
new. No doubt it will be tried in this case,
probably with SUCCESS but would very much
like to see some discussion of the measure from
persons capable of intelligent CRITICISMS. be-
lleve that the more familiar the mind becomes
with the subject the better 1t will be thought
off,
AS many inquiries are being made as to who
Charles U. Williams is, will state that he is
member of the House from this city. lie is
quite young. Indeed, al an early age be gave
signs OF approaching greatness, and, when
mere barefooted urchin at school, was heard &c
remark to youth vino was chewing tobacco,
Zone of these days you will have to pay tel
that habit.
That bis bill will pass there is not the shadow
of a doubt. Few men by one single move OF
| action have risen SO suddenly into notorlety a:
he by this action.
1t is rumered that son Of ex-Gov. Smith
| is in town looking for all newspaper men who
have been wiring in di.respecttul terms of hi:
father. | am not aware that anyone has spoken
disrespec fully of the old Governor. Some o.
his actoos have been criticized and rdlculed
| and it has been strongly limited that he talk:
too much, and this is about all. The right te
pitch into and ridicule the action of public mer
is reserved to the press and | must say that il
has been exerted rather sparingly
They call Mr.. Williams now, "Charles u
cuss Williams.
The State Executive Conservative Commit
| tee met to night, but did nothing The mem
bers are about evenly divided as to the place
of holding the National Democratic Convention
between Cincinnati and Philadeip ha.
The committee appointed to investigate the
charges against Judge Nicol, of Prince VIII
liam, met to-day and determined upon the
charges they would prefer against him, which
we're for receiving bribe Of $500 aud appoint
ing certain parties to condemn certain land:
for railroad purpose-he being interested IL
| the land himself and making pie by the
| transaction.
The stockholders of the James River and
| Kanavha Canal have been in session for three
days DOW and have as yet done nothing, and
am induced to think they will do Dothing Ii
is said that certain parties interested in tie
railroad scheme are endeavoriDg to work thai
through so that they may make something by
it. No doubt about it, there is something
wrong somewhere, STRONGBOW.