The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1878-04-06
The s.oTstr Register annI.s Uses.

Cincinnati Commercial.
In - communication from tho Auditor
Of Public accounts to the Legislature OF
Virginia touching the operation OF the
Nolgt. system of taxing spirituOus and
malt liquors at the point of c0nsumpt-
ion. /. is stated that the aggregate re-
lolp.s from licenses for the year ending
September 80, 1877. was 1892, 1875. The
M,lalt Law was not at that time in tuil
operation. There are ninety-nine coun-
ties in the State and no returns had been
made from siXty.six Of them. In many
the Molel. register has not yet been IN
.roduced. From the remaining thirty
three counties, some ct which had been
but partially Iepor cd, the receipts were
S24l 900, or almost Us much rs the State
derived from licenses FOR the entire
Commonwealth. TIE Auditor estimates
the receipts tor the present year at S3ll,-
III, and It is likely to exceed that sum.
Thus, taken in connection with the l.
cense of manufacturers. wholesalers and
retailers, Virginia will increase her reye-
nue. more than halt million of dollars
per annum.
1t woIld be surprising that the retail
ers make so little objection to the MOtlett
law, did we not keep in mind the fact
that It does not add TO their burdens,
while it serves as Il protection against the
dishonesty of bar-tenders. When they
have paid their license for the privilege
Of selling, they have no further interest
in the matter. The Mottelt Law col
lects the remaining tax from the consum-
ers who drink a. the bar, or purchase IL
qQOr in small quantities for private
consumption. The retailers find that
their receipts, where they have registers
90 keep an accurate account OF the num-
Der OF calls at the bar, increase rather
than diminish, and the consequence IL
that they have become advocates rather
than opponents OF the Motlett register.
Tho tax on the consumer is so light
that the majority of them make no objec-
lion to paving It, They are the better
satisfied because they know the money
goes into the Treasury OF the State, and
not into the pocket OF the retailer or his
bartender The farmers, especially,
who take their "tois' at the township
and village taverns, are particular to see
that the bell is rung and the register
properly made. They are taxpayers,
and have no objection TO an assessment
that will increase the State revenues
without adding to the tex upon real and
personal property. They are conscious.
also that the Moti"tt system brings
within the grasp Of the law 3 class OF
persons, especially in the large cities and
villages, who ordinarily do not contrib
l,r one cen. 10 the State from years end
To wears end. Even street !Ca!or can
not get his accustomed morning nip
without contributing to the resources OF
the Commonwealth.
The business men Of the large towns,
the merchants. the manufacturers, all
the industrial classes, IL fact, who p.y
taxes upon property, are as much IN.
,areste4 as the farmers in the success OF
the Mohstt system. Their taxes press
heavily upon them, and they are willing
TO see A method of taxation introduced
that operates equally upon oil classes who
indulge in the luxury of drinking.
Hence II comes TO pass in NlrgInis, AS 1t
will happen in any State where the sys'
tenn is isirly tried, that an overwhelming
majority OF the BeoPiTI, h ~. s''o , -, -
tsVor OF II; IN. SHu wiz '"''' "t'1 "
thorough SuoP''o"'
Another beauty Of the Mofett system
is that 1t not compulsory; II " m u.fa
owns lands ana houses anu H ~ 'a,u o.,o.
personal effects, ne must PSI I"e "ss '1.,
ment upon mem 9. sg -, n,S Y,tFT ny
sscnucG1 10 sa''s'y '"o uv,n",'ts -, 20 NV
law. bu' ne Is 70. .o'n f..'." ~ Ia
taxes under v"e no iI > s go 80