The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1877-10-07
asrulrg Star and Catholic Messenger.
aEw ORLEANS, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 7, ls77.
REGISTERING DRINKS.
HOW THE IMBIBERs OF VIRGINIA ARE
PAYING THE STATE DEBT.
(Pittsburgh Post.)

PAYING THE STATE DEBT.
pittsburgh Post)
Richmond, Va, Sept. IA, 1977.-Th:
as the people still insist upon calling it
has now been in operation three days, ant
as o most valuable and extraordinary
source of revenue, it is regarded as de
cided success. The average Virginian il
now engaged in the patriotic duty of Ii
quidating the State debt to the tintinna
bulary music of the little gong in the reg.
lister.
EXCITEMENT AMONG THE DRINKERS.
On Tuesday, the first day of the regis
+ ters, there was 0ite an excitement among
Z the portion of the community that usually
patronize the drinking saloon. As the little
4 black boxes were placed in each bar
4 fastened by screws to the counter, crow d.
locked in and called for drinks just for the
very novelty of listening to the tinkling
sound of the gong produced by the revola-
ton of the crank as the barkeeper regis
tered each drink. 1t was curious to notice
how eagerly ttTo patron,' ,'ettef-s#alloMing e
would bend forward and intently watch
q the operation of the crank and take in the
ting" that gave notice that the tax was
paid, and that he had performed his whole
duty as Yirginian and patriot.
4 AN ADVANCE IN PRICES.
As predicted, an advance in the charges
4 for malt and alcoholic drinks took place all
along the entire line of saloons. Hereto
fore, the charge for alcoholic drinks was
ten cents, and five cents for malt drinks.
The Moffet Register law imposes a tax of
two aud half cents on alcoholic, and half
3a cent on each malt drink. In order 80
) meet this tax the saloon keepers at once
raised the price OF alcoholic beverages to
Fifteen cents, and they overcame the dfG
c1lty in the Gaze Of lager beer by eubsLi-
tuting glasses holding @ tenth less than
those used previous to the Introduction of
the register, aud leaving the price at FIVE
eents. When two or E,cra Whiskies are
called for, q reduction Ia allowed at The
s ate of two drinks for Qnarter, :Onr for
%ifty cents, and so on; but the tipper who
drinks by himself is victimized t. the ex-
Fent of two and half GEMS, which is o
8clear gain above former profits for the bar
Keeper.
ABOLITION OF THE "sLArE'
One of the immediate effects of the reg
lster was the abolition of the credit sSs
tenn by the barkeepers. However wiling
they were to risk the ioss of their liquors
10y charging" they were decidedly un-
for which they might eventually receive
nothing. Hence, the traditional "old
score" and the modern "slate" are no
longer institutions in the whishey shops of
Richmond. Every man hae now to pay as
he goes, aud the bartender takes good care
registering until he has received his pay in
the coin or currency of this country.
AN INCIDENT.
There are hundreds of amusing Incl
dents consequent upon the advent of the
new system of raising revenue. One. is
worthy of mention here, and in this con-
3pectlon it must be noted that, singular as
may appear, the saloon keepers are Bit
terly opposed to the register. Daring the
ettern0on of the first day of the new sys-
fem, Hon. r. M. T. Hunter, State Treas
s5nrer, dropped into saloon, and, planting
bis elbows Familiarity upon the counter,
Rske d for glass of beer. A party seated
Pa the rear, discussing the merits or de-
merlts OF the register, narrowly observed
he distinguished old gentleman ard lis
fened attentively for any expression rela-
.tive to the instrument that might escape
ahlm. He slipped it again and eyed the bar
man still more intently. Pattirg down Lis
lass he remarked =
You haven't punched"
u Enow l haven't, Mr.. Hunter" said
fhe smiling dispenser of liquids.
Haven't you got the Moffet register ~
y quired the statesman.
Oh, yes, sir," with touch OF sarcasm
~ thought didn't hear the bell" quer-
Pious,y remarked Virginja's Treasurer.
o'. ~, MI. II uClST, you ulu EOV, very
lmphatically.
Why 7" hestatipgly.
funter."
This produced laugh at the expense of
ne distinguished Treasurer and fnancier,
no, after fumblirg in his pocket, pro
uced douceur and planked itup. Where
pom the barkeeper, with a considerable
ohrlsh, turned his crank, sounded the
8ong, and announced, "another half cent
oward paying the debt of Virginia" Mr.
unter beat hasty retreat.
n POPULAR SENTIMENT. Il
1t is fair to say that public sentiment to-
Fay is largely in favor of the Moffet Liquor
law. The custom of one or two of the |
aioons has slightly decreased within the |
past day or two, but not TO such an extent |
Is to warrant the idea that the register is |
she cause. The small advance in the prices
oes not interfere with regular, or even |
irregular, drinkers. 1t is only topers of |
she lowest type who grumble, and to these
pan be added the class who do not always !
pave ready cash in their pockets, and who
ave been in the habit of having their |