The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1878-02-23
The Mofitt Register in Kentucky.
[From the Cuurirr-Juurial.

was referred to the Committee on
Finance, relative to the introduction
in kentucky of the Motlitt Liqnor
Register, which has been established
in Virginia with such extraordinary
success. The register is made Il fix
ture of every barroom, and every
drink is taxed. The revenue thereby
derived is very handsome in amount,
and in orderto get Senator Gardeners
ideas about the proposed measure, !
called upon him, and the following
pertinent conversation cnsned
"Nhcn was the register introduced
into Virginia, Senator p ! asked.
at was adopted by the act of the
Virginia Legislature approved March
30, 1872
"What was the Object of its intro
duction INT" that Sta1r?"
1.-THE raising of a fluid to meet the
interest on the public debt, and for
the general support Of the Govern
ment."
GLOW did it strike the people at
the start ?"
"It was laughed at considerably"
elias it grown to be popular since?'
at has" Here Senator Gardnc,
produced a letter from Il leading n4er-
chant OF Richmond, Va, indorsiny
the reeiIter).
ibid the liquor dealers object p
''Tliey were at ti,St bitterly oppos
Of. to it, but they are now decidedly
in favor Of tho register, for the lea-
son it compels customers to pay casl.
for their drinks.'
1T then abulishcs the states of the
saloon kccpcrs?'
|, eft does.'
"What will he the avowed purpose
of the introduction of the register
into Kentucky?''
'"Tle Improvement of the rivers
of the Commonwealth"
swat will it net the Treasury p
81 should think about half Il mil.
lion of dollars annually"
"What are the profits in Virginia 2
"About four hundred thousand dol
lars every veal"
"NAich has the more saloons, Vir.
ginia or kentucky?"
| "Kentucky. We have, as near as
| can remember, about four thou.
sand.'
"Who will collect the tax if the
register is introduced :"
"The Sheritt's. The general ar
rangement will, l suppose, be made
by the Auditor"
"WIlat will be the tax schedule ?
1.-The same as in Virginia. For less
than half a pint of alcoholic spirits
2! cents; for pint, q cents, aud "c
cording to their ratio tor the amount
ordered. For malt liquors, ! cent
for less than pint, ! cent for pint
and so on"
"Nhat will these registers costs"
"About $40 EACH"
"Has it been established in any
other State than Virginia 2"
"Not that 1 know Of They arr
talking about it in Iowa and Ten
nessee | am iniormcd.'
"What do the temperance people
sayl"
$50 far as l know they are opposed
to it. They say the greater the ia;
the stronger the legality Of the whis
Ky traffic, aud the harder it is for tn
temperance folks to conduct the worl
of reformation. This is Gen. Greer
Clay Smiths idea"
500 the river improvement advo
Gates think we'll of the measure 7"
"They ale favorable 50 far as
know from personal conversation
with Judge Craddock and others, Fo
my own part, l am anxious the regis
tier should be adopted, whether 0
not the riyer-improvement bills ar
carried."
"lf both the river improvement
scheme and the register are adopted
what then 2"
} MY idea is that the State appro
pirate the two hundred thousand dol
lars asked by the river improvement
people, and work be commenced. B.
the time that amount is exhauste
: the register fund will have accumu
lated, and the further prosecution c
tho work of internal improvement
may be pushed by means Of the REG
ister."
"You are preparing the bill?'
1 81 am, and will have it ready IA
reference to the Committee on Fl
nance within q few days."
"Will it pass the Senate 7"
II think So"
Senator Gardner is one of the mos
Industrious members of the Senate
and is enthusiastic in tho advocac
Of the register. The adoption Of th
mode of raising revenye would NJ
tend to interfere with the liquor trade
and would certainly rebound great
to the prosperity'of the State.
Il 1t is useless, we suppose to ask I
r our Legislature the passage Of til
$ law. They have the habit firm
fixed of doing as they please, al
that "ple:se'' is very general
D against the demands Of their col
D stituents. However, should this b
!; come law, it would save a lar'
+ taxation from real estate, and less'
: its great burdens.
e The long-armed woman is the perse