The New York herald., 1877-09-17
estates" Demolished and the Cash
System Established.
DISGUST OF THE SOAKING ELEMENT
Public Sentiment and the Views
OF the Liquor Sellers.
RICHMOND, Va, Sept. IA, 1877.

source OIL revenue IL resaIuou as Nv
.dsd success The average vlrginian is now engaged
N the patriotic duty OF lIquidatng the State debt 10
The tinunnabulary music OF the little gong in the
register The usual salutaton to-day instead OF the
Ordinary "Lets take drink, is "Lets contribute to
the payment OF tho State debt by registering" The
repudiators readjustcrs, who are opposed 10 tho
payment the debt carry their opposition 50 far rs
TO refuse TO imbbe any beverage OF stimulating
nature requiring the payment OF tax, and they are
necessarily obliged have recourse to soda OF cold
water. This, however, is only the case in fcw ex-
trcms instances
KycIrEMESr AMoSG THE DRINKERS
On Tuesday, the nrs day Of the registers there was
quite an excitement among tho portion OF the CON-
nunty that usually patronizes the drinking saloons
AS the little black boxes placed in each bar, fss-
tened by the counter, crowds tockod In and
called for drinks just tho very novelty OF listening
TO the tinkling sound of the gong produced by the
revolution of the crank tho barkecper registered
each drink II curious TO notice how eagerly the
patron, after swallowing bis straight" "toddy,"
beer julep would bend forward and intenty watch
the operation of the crank and tac In the tng that
gavo notice that the tax was paid, and that he had
performed his whole duty a Virginan and patriot.
AN ADVANCE PRICES.
As predicted ia the HERALD several days ago by tel
egraph an advance the charges tor malt and alcoholic
drinks took place all along the entire line OF saloons
Heretofore the charge for alcoholic drinks was ten
cents and five cents for malt drinks. The MoHet
Register law imposes OF two and half cents on
alcoholic ana halt a cent each malt drink. In order
to meet this tax the saloon keepers at once raised
tho price of alcoholic beverages to fifteen cents and
shey tho difficulty the case of lager beer
by substituting glasses holding tenth less than those
nscd previous to the introduction OF the register and
leaving the price at five cents. When two or more
whsKeys are called Tor reduction Is allowed at tho
of drinks for quarter, four for fifty cents,
and 80 on but tho tnpler who drinks by himself Is
vicuizcd TO the extent OF two and hall cents which
is clear gain above former profits for the barkeeper
ABOLITION THE SLATE
Ono of the immediate effects OF the register was the
abolition OF the credit system by the barkcepers.
However willing they to risk the loss OF their
liquors by 'charging" they decidedly unwilling
TO puy the slate tax upon drinks for which they might
eventually receive nothing Hence tho traditional "old
score, and the modern 'slate longer institd-
tions in tho whiskcy shops of Richmond. Every man
has now to pay as he goes and the bartender taxes
good not touch the crank for the purpose OF
registering until he has received his pay tho coin or
currency OF the country
INCIDENT.
There are hundreds OF amusing incidents consc-
auept upon the advent OF the new system Of raising
revenue. One is worthy Of mention hero, aud IN th,s
connection it must noted that, singular as 1t may
appear the saloon keepers are bitterly opposed to the
register During the afternoon OF the first day OF
the new system r. NJ. I. Hunter State Treasurer
dropped into saloon and planting his elbows amil-
larry upon the counter, asked for glass OF beer
party seated IN the rear discussing the merits or do
merits of the register narrowly observed the distu.
guished old gen eman, and listened attenvely Tor any
expression relative the instrument that might escape
him. He slipped bis beer and looked anxiously at the
barkeeper; slipped 1t again and eyed the barman still
moro intently. Putting down his glass he re-
marked:-
"You haven't punched"
81 know / haven't, Mr.. HUNTER said the smiling
dispenser Of liquids.
s'Haven't you got the Moiet registers" inquired
the statesman.
"0h, yes SIR" with a touch of sarcasm.
al thought didn't hear the bell," querulously
marked Vrgina's Treasurer.
ooh. no. Mr.. Hunter, you did not" very en-
phatically.
"Why9" hesitatingly
''Becausc you haven't paid me, Mr. Hunter"
This produced laugh at tho expense of the dis
tngashed Treasurer and nancer, who after fumbling
in his pocket produced douceur and planked 1t up
Whercupon the barkeeper with a considerable
flourish, turned his crank sounded the gong and an.
nounccd, "Anohcr half cent toward paying the debt
pi Virginia" Mr.. Hunter beat hasty retreat.
POPULAR SENTIMENT.
1t IL fair to say that public sentiment to-day is
largely favor OF the Moet Liquor aw. The custom
Di ono OF the saloons has slightly decreased
within the past day two but not 10 such extent
warrant the idea that the register 10 the
The small the prices does not Interfere with
regular, Irregular, drnkors. 1t is only topcrs
OF the lowest type who grumDe, and to these can DO
aided ns class G VINO 40 nS ~ n aaay %
ing their drinks charged For those the register Is
convenient and hence they condemn II; but the great
majority Of the patrons OF saloons are heartily In favor
of It,. Everybody, including Its opponents comedies
bhat, source OF revenue IL Is one oil tho best ever
devised and the law Is properly enforced there is no
doubt that 1t will eventually be ono OF the most enec
hve
THE OPPOSITION
The opposition to tho register comes mainly from
the saloon keepers, who fail 10 conceal thor bitter
tagonism toward It, Several OF them protested against
its introduction into their saloons Others 1t fas-
tened to their counters without word, but With the
most bitter feeling, and still others smilingly and
gracefully yielded TO the Inevitable and received the
little boxes with the tel-tae dias with the reluctant
expression:-
al'm satisfied IL everybody else IS. The tax don't
is s,ll the intention of the liquor dealers nght
the Molet law in the courts the ground that u Is
unconstitutional, and failing In this carry the war
INTO the Legislature. Already there a number
OF candidates ior that body expect be elected
on Tho ground OF their opposition to the Monet reg
lister.
WHAT THE DEALERS SAY
When questioned as TO their objections the liquor
cept tDat they have right TO be tax collectors
for the State OF virginia so far the register has
interlered with their regular receipts II has rather
increased them In some instances and In only one or
two worry obscure instances have heard OF any de-
crease.
II hate to turn the damned crank" said Que bar
keeper 10 me- 1T looks as II 1t put there to keep
gou from stealing your taxes
Said another, Everybody that in has to
look ut that register and then they begin
many drinks you have sold and make calculations as
10 how uch business you do and what taxes you pay
Now that's all very annoying 10 me Tho State has
right to make an exposure Of my business"
A third said.-.It often interlcrcs with my business
When havo rush, as is frequently the case, IL is
As much as l can do 10 collect money and make
change and having to stop every moment turn
crank delays me aud loses no both money and Gus.
tom why can't the State furnish engineer 10 work
IL a. well ms the machine ri certainly nave neither
tbs time nor Inclination. regard IL eas a nuisance
and great lmpcdiment 10 my BUSINESS"
Those comprise tho man objections Of the saloon
tccpers which with time VIII wear away,
though ihsrc may he something In some OF them.
EvADfyG THE LAWS.
no lint