The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-12-14

CHc oTutldfy EXPENSES OF the government
for the last fiscal year were less than for any
other year since the constitution took effect,
and less by sl0S,9 06.44 than the average an
nual expenses on the same account during
the previous six years. The temporary in
crease of extraordinary expenses is due to
the cost OF the recent assessment Of lands
and so the special app OPERATIONS of your last
session to public institutions.
THE MEANS OF INCREASING THE REV
ENUE.
In devising means for meeting the def
cheney in the treasury. 1 have heretofore
urged upon your attention various subjects
OF taxation. amorg which are some of great
value, now iDpertectly 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 again invoke their
consideration.
The outline of bill for taxin, spirituoas
liquors in bulk. referred to in my last annual
message, has been singularly misunderstood
Many OF the comme, cial class object that the
tax would operate as q burden upon COM
merce, aud especially upon the manufacture
and sale OF spirits within. the State. So far
from this bein. true, the entire tax would
rest upon consumption alone, and would
necessarily come out of the C, nsumer; 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 customers. 1t could not in
the slightest degree affect the sale of liquors
beyond the State, whether manufactured in
it or transported throughit, because It's oper-
alton is carefully confined TO such spirits as
are consumed within our limits. 1t could
not give the least advantage to manufacture
.ers and dealers beyond the State over those
within it, because it imposes uniform taxa
ton upon all liquors actually consumed by
our people, whether made here or elsewhere.
a moment's reflection disposes of the objec-
ton that the payment OF the tax will be
evaded, FOL the amount OF it is so moderate
and so easily paid, and the penalties provi-
ded are so stringent, that it is impossible
any dealer would, by attempting evasion,
hazard enormous losses for tile sake of a tri-
fling contingent gain. The only frauds to
be apprche AIDED at all might occur in the
clandestine use Of very small quantities OF
tlntaNed spirits at points near the State
boundary lines; but no dealer could afford
the risk OF sharing even in those frauds, aud
they would in any event be too incOnsider-
able to be felt as an influence upon the rev.
enucs from this source. Nor is there any
warrant for the objection that /. new corps
OF officials would be necessary to enforce the
law and collect the tax; for the plan pro-
poses to employ none but the present rev.
enu@ officers who undoubtedly would be able
to execute all its pro DIVISIONS without creating
any new charge upon the treasury. 1t can
not be supposed that q tax of thirty cents on
the gallon of spirits would lessen the traffic
in them or the production o. them, for after
all 1t would operate as Il tax Of less than hall
cent on each draught or glass OF the guam
tlty consumed. Nevertheless, statistics care
fully verified by facts prove such a tax will
yield Il yearly increase CT 100000 to the
treasury. No tax would be SO cheerfully &C
copied by the great body of the people; none
would be less felt or SO easily paid. But ii
it be prefer red that the law on this subject
stand as it is, then the taxah,e evil which i'm
poses the most grievolls costs and charges
Oh the government will continue to yield /!
the least return.
'Ihe present oyster law, however ably anc
skilfully devised, yields no revenue ant
gives to results. Both for protection ant
for taxation it is worse than migratory. Mos
valuable oyster fisheries in other countries
have beea permanently destroyed for wan
OF protection, and ours are threatened WIFE
destruction at the hands of unlicensed ant
lawless marauders from beyond the State
The oyster fisheries If Virginia are under
stood to yield products OF the annual value
OF twenty millions OF dollars. Ii this inter
est be treated as so much private properly
aud ii the present uniform rate OF taxation
be applied to it efficiently, an annual rev
enue OF one hundred thousand dollars vii
be derived FROM it, but the State owns AM
retains the oyster beds rs part OF its ungran
ted domali-as its sole, immediate aud ab
solute property. With what consistency
reason can the government tax the prlyat
estates which its citizens have inherited
purchased, and at the same time throw opel
this great public domain with all its irult1''
riches ior unlicensed and gratuitous use AM
even spoilation aud destruction at tue hald
OF non-residents and oil others IS II gus
to fax tl,e scanty ana hard learned means Q
the whole body of our o WI poor, and at Gu
same time open these stores OF public wealt
as a gratulty to a favored few? lt Is tn
opinion of many Of those having hfe-lon