The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-10-08
The Moffett Liquor-Tax.

we nave Deen amazed az Tue Gououct VI
the author Of the liquor-tax, Senator MOE
rETT, and of the Richmond Wing, which
distinguished itself by its constant, active,
and jealous support OF that tax. Senator
MoFrETr endeavors to explain that he had
no such unpatriotic design as to raise money
by his register to pay the public debt; and
the Whig, although the register it so earn
estly fought for is in operation and promises
to yield at least $500, 900 per annum, is as
dumb as an oyster with regard to it. Fur
thermore, it continues to assert that there
is no mode of increasing the public revenue,
and that consequently there is no alterna-
tive for the settlement OF the public debt
save the resort TO compulsory readiustment.
Now, Senator MoRFETT was as enthusiastic
supporter Of his liquor-bill as ever bill
had in any Legislature. His hopes OF its
results were most sanguine. He predicted
that it would pay the public debt. sThere
were millions in it," he often said. And
now he, too, is " chap-fallen." He has
nothing to say but to apologize for the per-
version Of the alleged objects for which it
was designed!
We never have known so strange a case
Of desertion. Is there an imaginable expla-
nation OF it consistent with commendable
| motives? The Senator, in a card in the
Harrisonburg Commonwealth, offers him
sell for seat in the House OF Delegates.
In that card he places himself squarely
upon the compulsory" platform, assum-
ing that there is no way Of increasing the
public revenue, although his register is col
lecting tax. at the rate of at least 100000
per annum! Was there ever such a case OF
wiiful perversion and determined blindness
He declares that, such being the case, "com-
pulsory adjustment" is inevitable-not ex-
actly in those words, but "to that effect
DR., MoFFETT builded better than he knew,
as he will find out. ,.,,.s.s
In view of the extraordinary course OF
the chief advocates OF the liquor-tax, we
present the public with the following ex-
tracts from the Richmond Wings editorials
rFrom the Wing of Marcia 1, 18TH +. -.
Is ITPoss1BLE2 -We have heard it whis-
pered that some little Of the opposition to
the whiskey-tax bill in the Legislature may
be possibly attributable to the fact that the
great amount Of revenue to flow from its
passage would inevitably place the State
debt in q fair way for satisfactory adjust
ment at once, and for its final entire ami.
hilatton as q source OF embarrassment to the
Commonwealth. and discord among the
politicians. Is. 1t. possible that this can be
! so? Is it'possible there is man, especially
one protesting to be d representative man,
within the Commonwealth Of Virginia, who
is really at heart opposed to the payment OF
the debt OF his State p. For the sake OF the
old Commonwealth as,she was, and we will
say as she is, we sincerely hope not. .s.. 1.
1t is bad enough to say Virginia can'tpay.
1t is too bad to say she. should not il she
could. ..L-:21ss z'EAs '.s1..,..
The aboyeis, indeed, "mys countrymen,' .
something to think. upon. How does it
sound as, prophecye. Whom does it hit
now Whe opposes the liquor-tax now
And els it possible" that such intrepid
advocates as sustained the tax when 1t was
proposed fail now to defend it when com,
bined attack is made upon it? Can this be
and notexcite our special wonder !? Is ii
true. also, that any body desires to defeat
| the payment OF the public debt?
The next paragraph takes consolation for
Ithsytng been the faithful friend Of the Nor
FErr register: ass.is,s.,
i From the V'hig OF Marcel, 90, Is77.l tiifs7
/ me mig has its thpusauas.on tho usands
OF yeaders through the State, and4inH season
| and outaOf season we have faithful liz done
| oursdnty In Reeping the import anee OF this
bill fthe IiausV,tax before the1R. e 80
There are ailll iioas lin (which vii