Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-09-28

The Moffet register is what they call it in
Virginia and il is smashing States for the
barkeepers equal to the hveliest work of the
politicians. II il is otherwise called punch
il is not of the kind in favor with those who
drink. 1t is really and soberly little tink-
ling gong to record drinks and thereby assess
the tax by which the Old Dominion is trying
TO pay of her debt. Thirsty people do not
now invite one another to take Il drink but
to 90 in and register Some even say,
Lets contribute TO the State tax. The So
called Moffet Register law imposes II tax of
two cents and half on every alcoholic and
half cent on every malt drink. The saloon
keepers accordingly put up the price of their
beverages. the alcoholic TO fifteen cents. while
they substituted glasses one-tenth smaller for
lager beer, which still leaves the price at five
cents. We are told that last year the whole
amount paid by all the liquor merchants of
the State into the treasury was Sls7, 600.
The city of Richmond ordinarily pays one
fifth of the liquor tax of the State, and the
new law is expected to be enforced more rig
idly there than anywhere else. The amount
estimated to be derived from it is $500. 900
per annum, which is a low estimate A deal
er must sell at least eight dollars worth per
day, or he must stop altogether. The regis
ter does away with the credit system at bars
The dealers were unwilling to pay o. tax on
what accumulated on their slate. for they
were uncertain whether they could collvc; tie
whole of it. SO the cash system !ur drinks
pr, walls il Virginia. But no one grumbl,s
either at the prices or the payment except the
old tOpers; the great majority Of the people
are in favor of the law
State Treasurer r. NJ r. Hunter dropped
into saloon and called for his glass of lager.
After drinking it lie reminded the bartender
that he hadn't punched The latter an
swered that he knew it, and again the Treas
urer reminded him of the omission: where
upon the bartender explained that the Treas
urer hadn't paid. Punching is done only for
cash" Public sentiment is said to favor the
new law, though the saloon-kecpers are bit
terly hostile to it. II Is universally admitted
that, for revenue purpo.rs, is is Il device new
err surpassed If fairly enforced, it will fully
answer all the ends for which it was passed.
The advance in prices does not interfere with
any drinkers but the regular topers, unless it
is the class that does not carry ready change
in their pockets The register is fastened to
every counter across which liquors are sold
and the sellers console themselves with say
ing that the tax doesn't come out of their
pockets. Yet they swear more or less at it,
alleging that il looks as if the little machine
was stuck before them to keep people from
stealing their taxes. They say that every
body that comes in has TO look at the register
TO see how many drinks have been sold, and
then they begin to calculate the amount of
business done in the place, which is an expos
ure Of private affairs by the State. The great
problem now being studied is how to beat the
register, and all the scientifically inclined bar
tenders are deep in it. The register tells the
boss just how many drinks have been sold
and therefore how much cash has been taken
so that there Is no such thing rs knocking
down. ON him. One man, not bartender
claims to have solved the engrossing problem
but his secret is still his own B0stDH Post