The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-10-19
Am Ir1.h y,e,x,, Of the,, Moaett Eaws.. 81.

= Mr.. Thomas Potts, OF Richmond, now on
visit to Ireland has; sent here copy OF
the Cork Exdminer OF the 9Th containing an
editorial OF which the following are ex-
tracts: ,sS..l.... -.
Necessityis the mother OF invention. The
State OF Virginia has lately become possessed
OF yirtuous resolution with which ,Amcri-
can State Governments are not often, trou-
bled-namely. n determination to pay the
interest on their local debt. In order to
crafty their creditable, II unusual disposi-
ton, it became requisite to impose fresh
taxes.
For a time there was some difficulty in
discovering taxable subject or commodity
which was not already contributing It's iull
share OF the public revenues. AT length
happy idea occurred to one OF those pure
and powerful minds lately described 90 Us
by DR.. Richardson, In which the free play
OF the nerve-power has never been dis
turbed by contact with tine deterloratlng
influence of alcohol. The temperance
party, ever on the watch Tor, an oppor-
tunity OF doing good In a dissagreea-
BILE way, proposed to place tax upon
drinkers as well as drinks, and after. much
debate the suggestion was accepted by the
Legislature. The multiplicity OF drinks IN
which the American citizen lndulgeS sus-
tain their fair share Of the public burdens !;
but the idea Of taxing the consumer as well
as the consumed does not seem to have oc-
Cured to any one until 1t was taken up Dy
the Yirginians. The mode in which the
tax is levied is almost as ingenious as, the
conception OF the impost. The duty 81 col
lccting it is cast upon the saloon;keepers.
| The tax varies with the amount OF liquor
consumed, the minimum being two-and-
a-half cents for alcohol, and cent-and-a-
| half for malt. A reduction is given to eX-
perienced topers who consume their spirits
in large quantities. The tax is ut present
in full operation, and the public display, a
profound interest in the working OF the
tax. The Invention is not popular
with the bar-kcepers, who dislike the
trouble and publicity it entails, but the
public are not dissatisfied. 1t was thought
at one time that the tax would have
the effect OF discouraging tippling, and that
the accusing sounds OF the bell would strike
upon the conscience OF the topper. 1t was
partIv in that fond illusion that the temper
ance party gave it their support. The hope
has not been realized, and the result seems
rather to have justified the anticipations OF
those who have faith in the innate depravlty
| Of man. The tax seems rather TO nave given
stimulus to drinking by impartlnS pa
triotic aspect to the social customs which
the moralists are trying to discredlt.
1t is little surprising that with all tue
ingenuity bestowed upon the suppression
OF intemperance in this country the tax on
drinkers should not have been thought Oh.
It is possible, now that the discovery mas
been made, that our philanthropiSts may
borrow the idea from, the Americans.
It is obvious that there lis still room
for improvements which would make
it more efectual for reformatory pur-
poses. II the bel-punches," as they
are called, were arranged on the prinn-
ciple of tue barrel organs and made
to play tunes suggestive Of temperance and
remorse whenever business became so brisk
as to keep the crank continually turning, q
salutary effect might be produced upon the
mind OF the topper, and the tune would at
least be excessively asgravating to the pub
lican. ....