The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-09-26

turned home at an early hour, hundreds-of
our people would have been glad to show
their respect for his memory by attending
the funeral -.s-
The Modett Register.
JUDGE GUTGoN BRINGS THE SUBJECT TO THE
ATTENTION OF THE GRAND JCRY-HIS
CHARGE DELIVERED YEsTERDAY-WTT-
NEssEs TO BE EXAMINED TO-DAY, &C., &c.
To-day the grand jury OF the Hastings
Court will meet at II O'Clock to consider
cases arising under the Mofett-liquor law.
AS will be seen by the proceedings OF the
grand jury Yesterday, one indictment has
already been found.
Several gentlemen-three or iour-who
intimated that at certain saloons in the city
the law had been violated were yesterday
summoned to testify before the grand jury
to-day, when it is believed number Of in
'dtctments VIII be found. =.
After disposing OF a number OF felony
cases the grand jury came into court and
Judge Guigcns delivered the following
charge relative to the new liquor law:
At the last session OF the Legislature OF
Virginia it was obvious that some new
means, or mode, or subject OF taxation was
necessary to pay the Indebtedness and pre-
any increase Of tax upon property was so
strong as to be almost insuperable, and the
ingenuity Of the Assembly was strained to
provide new means by which the difficulty
could be solved. At last, after long strug-
gle, and against violent opposition, the act
popularly known as "the Motfett liquor
law " was passed, with the details OF which
you are all familiar. 1t was 4 novel mode
OF raising revenue, and met at first with all
the ridicule and aptagonism which such an
innovation would naturally incur, especially
on the part OF those on whom its provl-
sions operated, and to them it Is no doubt
In some degree inconvenient, and perhaps
unpleasant; but when it became apparent
from examination OF the system that the
measure would, il fairly carried out, raise
from the consumer OF liquors more than
81, 900, 900, and that not by 4 compulsory
but by voluntary tax, thus relieving the
State not only of her present embarrass-
ment, but putting her beyond the danger
or necessity Of violation OF her promises,
or cXacting reluctant compromises from her
creditors, it is not wonderful that the mea-
sure passed by large maioritics.
The operation Of this law, delayed for 4
considerable period by opposition through
the courts, and the necessity OF providing
Gently commenced.
The payment OF taxes has not been re-
gardcd at any time as pleasant duty, even
when it comes in 4 form with which the
citizen is familiar, and any duty OF that sort
which comes in unaccustomcd form is sure
to meet with positive disfayor from those
upon whom it falls. 1t is not to be Won
dered at, therefore, that in the commence
ment Of the operation OF this new law it
should meet with opposition more OF less
violent. I am glad to say, however, from
the reports OF officers and others, that as
rule the law is obeyed by the generality OF
liquor-dealers in our city. There are some
OF them, it is true, who, I am informed,
openly avow their intention to disregard its
provisions. From these little danger is to
be apprehended. The severe penalties OF
the law once enforced will compel their
obedience. There are others who, l am
advised, will seek by tricks and fraudulent
devices to evadc and render the law incl
fectiye. 1t is to this class especially direct
your inquiry and attention.
In what T have said, gentlemen OF the
grand Jury, have endeayored to impress
upon you the conviction, which is my own,
that the law under consideration is wise
and beneficent law; that it provides for the
relief OF the State from embarrassment, Il
not dishonor, by contributions from the
citizens which cannot be eXacted with
out their consent, and are, therefore,
voluntary Even il this were not so, it is
the law Of Virginia, and it is our bounden
duty rs good citizens to see to its faithful
execution. 10 that duty is added the inter-
est we obviously have in its faithful admin
istration. II the purposes for which it was
enacted are accomplished by its execution
the relief throughout the entire State will
be felt by men Of all classes and all pur-
suits, the burden OF debt will be relieved
and the apprehension Of increased taxation
removed, and the credit and honor OF the
State assured thus removing the only OBJ
stacles now in the way OF her advancing
prosperity. .a.. r~s :.
To you, gentlemen Of the grand jury, the
grand inquest OF the State for the city OF
| Richmond, men selected from all classes and
sections OF the city, representing Eer intel
| ligeuce, her worth, and her every interest,
| l commit, as I am directed, the inyestlga-.
tion OF the operation OF this important law
and OF any violation OF its mandates, and
do so with the full assurance, from my
knowledge Of you, that, at whatever incon-
vcnicnce or loss Of time, you will make your
investigation full and thorough.
tomorrow morning at II O'Clock, and I
would suggest that as grand-iurymen pres
ent come from every section Of the city each
one should send in a list OF persons to
be summoned before them to be interro-
gated as to the execution OF the law, so that
they will have general information us to its
performance or violations throughout the
city. sst
THE GRAND BABY-SHow.-The baby-show
announced for yesterday evening at No.
113 Franklin street was q grand success.