The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-10-03
LOCAL MATTERS.
The MoReft Liquor.Registers.

WORK OF THE COMMISSIONERS YESTERDAY-AN
ENCOURAGING EXHiBIT-sOME BIG ITEMS.
The work Of the Deputy Commissioners OF
the Revenue taking the state OF the liquor
registers was continued but not concluded
Yesterday. Mr.. wilkins visited many OF the
largest saloons and chief retail dealers west
Of Twelfth street. He was in the best part
Of his district. At one place there were
l,254 alcoholic and 1888 malt drinks
registered; nj another 1,2S6 alcoholic
and 7.709 malt; at another $50 alco-
holic and G,S26 malt. A bar-keeper
on Il cross street, near the centre OF the city,
had registered 2,5O6 alcoholic drinks; Il
ncighbor had registered 2,025, while re-
tail dealer, wel-known grocery firm, had
registered 2,05G half-IdntS. The returns Of
Mr. wilkins are highly encouraging to the
friends of this law, and indicate that the
aggregate amount for Richmond per an
mum will be greater than suggested by the
calculation OF yesterday.
Mr.. Wilkes labored in the eastern part OF
the city. where the population is sparse.
The general run OF the registers is satisfac-
tory. but in some instances there were sus-
picionS Of noncompliance with the law.
There were deaers-a iew-who had regis
tered only between 25 and 100. Wherever
they deemed it proper TO test the accuracy
Of the register the deputy turned the crank
10 or 100 times, and credited the dealer by
the same. Most OF the registers were found
working well. .,.
At the rate indicated above the largest
dealer mentioncd-or at least his GUS
tomcrs-would pay Sl,700 per annum.
In relation TO the complaint frequently
heard that the liquor-registers are inaccu-
rate. Mr.. johnson, the manufacturer, says ::
bo n,1, ;c 1,,t no n ~ I,a
index (Which was made by the American
Meter Company OF New York;. some OF the
wheels working too close, and the result
being the breaking OF cogs. / Immediately
wrote to them, and in reply they stated the
defective parts should be supplied with per-
feet ones. |a... - '....
came 10 Richmond Monday morning to
examine the defective registers, and find
that the same trouble exists with all that are
out OF order. The talk about their regis
tering too many drinks is Il mistake. The
State OF Virginia is the only sufferer, rs the
defective ones have failed to register as
many drinks rs were sold. =. # g.. .t
do not intend the State shall pay me for
a single defective register, and whenever
one proves defective 1t shall be supplied by
new one as soon as notice has been given.
| have sent extra ones to every city, and in
StTuCtPu the cOLDlllSS1OflcTS TO UOllc6 cure
fully, and when one proves defective to re-
turn it 10 me at Culpeper. Every one in
the city OF Richmond will at once be tested
to see that they are in good condition. I
have been so anxious TO get them in every
city. so as to test the efficiency OF the law,
that it was impossible to personally eX-
anime each one. And in the last three
weeks ] have made and put them up in
every city in the State except Staunton, and
but for my Richmond trip they would have
been put up there.
| wrote to Mr.. Taylor before the first
shipment was made that the registers were
put mp so fast that perhaps some would
prove defective, but il such was the case
would correct it at once. / am satisfied
The State has gained more by my putting so
many in use in the short space OF time than
she can possibly lose by any defective regis
tiers. '.-. .'r'.. @.
have made some improvements, which,
/ think, will defy experts who may wish to
samper with the register, and shall supply
Richmond and the other cities as soon as
the new parts can be manufactured with
the improved register. .a,@} r'f7. .r.