The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-03-09
For the D'spatch.I
The NOf7ett IiuuOr-Tax.

IFor the D'spatch.
The NOf7ett Liquor-Tax.
1t is not contemplated to discuss the con-
stitutionality Of the MofIett liquor-taX in
this communication. The purpose is rather
to bring in review some Of its practical re-
suits and the influence it will have upon
different classes of society. 1t must be clear
| to any mind that the burthen Of this tax
will fall most heavily on the poorer classes,
who imagine that they are compelled to
drink so many glasses OF alcoholic liquor
every day Of their lives. In this connection
the question very naturally arises as to
whether there are any elements in alcoholic
drinks which make their daily use neces-
sity. What nourishment do they contain
and what effect do they have upon the ner-
vous system? - .S,i> ."E<'A -
Baron Liebig says: .sBcer, wine, spirits,
ETC., furnish no element capable Of entering
into the composition Of blood, muscular
fibre, or any other part which is the seat of
vital principle"
Professor Moleschott, in his work on the
"Chemistry Of Diet" says: "Alcohol does
not deserue the name Of an aimentary prin-
ciple."
Professor Lehman, in his Physiological
Chemistry" says: "We cannot believe
that alcohol, theme, ETC., belong to the class
of substances capable Of contributing to-
aoards The maintenance of the Uitat .func-
tions."
DR.. E. Smith, F. R. S., says: "Alcohol
is not q true food. 1t interJeres ,oiM ali
mentdtion."
DR.. w. B. Carpenter, an English savan,
says: "AtcohoL cannot supply anything
aohich is essential to the due nutriment OF
| the tissues"
DR.. T. X. Chambers, in his remarkable
book, "The Renewal of Life, ,"says: "It is
clear that we must cease to regard alcohol
as in any sense an dtinlent."*
So much for the no,trishaent contained
in alcohol. Now let us inquire into some of
its effects upon the nervous system, where,
after all, lies the secret Of excessive drink
ing. Sir Benjamin Brodie, F. r. S., says
"Stimulants do not create nervous power; !;
they merely enable you. as it were, to use
atp aohat is left, and then they leave you
more in need OF rest than before"
Baron Liebig again says: " Wine is quite
superfuoIs to man; 1t IS constantly .fotioac-
ed by the expenditure Of poaoer."
DR.. E. Smith again says: s'Alcohol
greatly lessons muscular tone and poaoer.
There is no evidence that it increases ner-
yous influence, while there is much evil
dence that it lessons nervous power"
These dalntily-eXpressed opinions in re-.
gard to the use Of alcoholic potations are
confirmed by the experience Of every drink
ing man. There is no nourishment what
ever in alcohol, and its effects upon the vital
organs and nervous system are njurious to
the highest degree. Before practical test
has been made Of the operations of the Moi
fett liquor-taX most singular anomaly pre-
oil hn fn nf
| two classes OF society diametrically op-
posed to each other. These are the liquor
dealers and bar-keepers on the one
hand, and the families OF the poor
drinking-men on the other. The first
fear large falling off in their sales owing
to if, and the scond that they may suffer to
q still greater extent for the neceSSaries OF
| life, for the reason that the tax added to
what the husband already pays for his daily
drinking will lessen to most painful de-
gree the amount be may have left to spend
on bis family. Some OF its practical work.
ings IN the latter case are that, whereas I'M
der the old law two drinks were equivalent
to four loaves Of bread, under the new they
would be five. This one loaf Of bread, it
is true, is a small matter as far as rich peo-
pie are concerned, but the sight Of it would
| brighten many sad mothers eyes with the
consciousness that it would prevent some
ragged and sickly waif from going sobbing
and supperless to bed. This is the class,
then, that must suffer, and not the liquor
dealer. These latter forget that an unfail-
ing crop OF drunkards, approXimating near
| Iy one hundred thousand, are harvested
every year! DR.. Young, chief of the
Bureau OF Statistics, estimated the
sales OF liquor in 1871 to be $780,
100000. This is nearly one sixth Of
| the value OF the manufactures Of the United
States. 1t was $l46,000, 900 more than the
estimated value of furniture and house-tiX-
lures Except stoves and hollow-ware); all
| the boots and shoes, mems, women's, and
cbildren's clothing; all the collars, cuffs,
| gloves, mittens, hats, caps, hosiery, &C.,
that were manufactured that year in the
United States! No, gentlemen; your fears
are groundless, and il you reflect moment
your opposition to the law should cease at
once. Your business would prosper eUen
If the tar should be doubled. People will
| drink, and there are enough OF those who
are able to pay for their liquor to make
business lively in this community. But
how will the poor "bummer fare under
the new law Hanging around bar-rooms
will avail him but little now. The bar
keeper knows when he is "dead broke" !;
and though he may have spent enough in
his palmy days to buy nice house and lot,
he is looked upon with contempt by him
and most Of his old cronies who have not
reached his degree Of humiliation. Kick him
out of YOUR house, MIR. Barkeeper, and you
would be doing him and his family good
act.
For 4 man OF limited means to complain
OF this law is simply absurd. he is like a
| man who does not object to the purchase OF
a knife with which he may cut his own
throat. but he does object to the e1tra price
mt on it on account OF the tax. For all
such as these another law should be en-
acted. and it should be "An act entitled an
act for the protection Of wives and children
of drunkards"; and it should be so Worded
1 that ..if he spent daily more than certain
nerceptage OF his earnings, and that only
| by the consent of his family, he should be
punished by fines, stripes, or imprisonment,
and in case OF the latter, his family to be
| supported out OF the tax on liquor during
the time OF his incarceration" In this way
might the families OF drinking-men be pro-
tected and a source OF lively opposition to
the law removed. There would remain
then only the liquor dealers themselves
and when they find out by fair test OF the
| law that taxation does not diminish TO any
nerccptible degree the amount OF alcohollc
LIQUOR consumed in this State, they WAL
*,rbe writer Is indebted to pamphlet, !" Is Aico'
hol Food Yf By DR.. f. X. Lees, for much or the In
formation or this subject.