The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-09-19
The sxonest Lsquor.Regsstcr.

THE TEMPERANCE ADVOCATE OPPOSED TO THE
LAw-ITs REAsOSs-NUMBER OF REGISTERS
IN USE HERE-PRoBABLE REVENUE.
The TEMPERANCE Advocate, weekly
paper published here in the interests OF the
cause which its name indicates, concludes
long editorial on the Moffctt register In the
following words:
"Now that the bcll-punch is TO test the
consumption OF liquor per annum, the State
will be at luandary to know the exact
amount of revenue due each year, rs
there's often slip 'twixt the cup end the,
lip; but at any rate
!. Wen ring, ring awav.
From early morn Ill close OF day:
Then if 10y this scheme Virginia don't profit:
Wen attribute tie sum total to Senator Motlett.
ayes, let us punch this public debt, or
the nation, out Of existence as early as pos
sible, and we are not puzzled to know
which is the most destructive, debt or dissi-
patton. ;. B.. fTt'
"Virginians, this scheme is to put your
State, after which you are OF the manor
born, on ioot-pickle it with runl-pre-
serve it as a n1emento for her rising sons.
"What constitutes flourishing State
wise and healthy population, or barren, I'M
abiding wilds? II the population becomes
diminished, then, to an alarming extent, the
facilities for improvement are cut OH.
"Our State is now PROSTATE, to great
degree, simply from the thinness OF the in
habitants OF some OF the rural districts,
which are in many instances devoid OF ma
tive schoolmaster to teach the few scatter
ing and almost uncivilized youth that might
reside in that particular wilderness.
"Talk about the lae civil war! That
lasted only four years, playing havoc with
our. State! Nothing, compared to this
whiskey war, that has been in existence
over half a century, and to-day almost sub
mcrges our Commonwealth as well as the
whole world!
"During the coming cold and desperate
winter numbers OF tiresides will be made
desolate and drcary from The effects Of this
Incorporate taxation. Windowglass will
be punched out; wearing apparel will be
| fairly riddled by this punch, for the punch
| system is only a continuation Of the awful
vice intcmpcrance, in speculative point OF
view.
"The dial-plate or calculator OF this tax
machine will score each and every step
taken by the drunkard towards his eternal
home-givc the number OF drinks swal-
lowed. Would that there could be an at
tachment. that the Stale might ascertain
the number of good and useful men de-
stroyed per annum by this cunningly-dc.
viscd contriyance and so-called public ben
cfactor
"Our street and county-court-day scenes
throughout the State give us rough esti-
matc of the number Of victims to intemper-
ancc, but not the number OF drinks it re-
quires to make finished drunkards; they &c
reeling from bar-room to bar-room, with
the tops OF their hats punched out and
their clothing hanging on their bodies in al.
most invisible shrcds-all from the effects
OF over-tdIdtion.
"We susgest,'' says the Aduocate, ''that
our Legislature pass law to the effect that
every grave, the work OF intemperance,
from the date OF the bellpunch, be deco
rated with the following inscription:
Hung to Sleep
blythe
Mofet Bell-Punch.
Gaue His Life
for the
State Debt"