Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-02-21
TALLAHASSEE.
Featu res of the Revenue BiIl-LiquOr
and DrummeFs' Licenses - Railroad

Featu res OF the Revenue Bill-LiQuOF
and Drummers' Licenses - Railroad
Taxation.
TALLAHASsEE. Feb. IS.-One of the most
important bills introduced at any and every
session Is that for the assessment and collec-
tiOn Of revenue. Ii aims directly at the pOck-
cts of the tax payers. and is consequently
always invested with great interest. In the
way Of special license taxes it enters into
most of the ordinary avOcatiOns by which hu-
manity earns a livelihood, and so affects all
classes, from the highest to the lowest. From
year to year. also, new industries spring into
existence, all of which are required TO con-
tribute their proportion to the general eX-
penses Of gov ernment. Permeating as it does
through all classes of society, and gathering
tribute from all, il must attract close atten-
tiOn and be carefully scanned.
The present bill contains sixty five sections,
and covers twenty-fOur octave pages. 1t is
always the most vOluminOus bill of the ses-
sion, and one over which there is always
contest. The Senate has been wrangling over
IL for the greater part of two days, and as yet
have accomplished but little. The main diff
Guilty arises usually upon the matters on which
a license tax Is imposed. Interests differ so
widely in different portions of the state. that
II Is frequently task to reconcile them so as
To meet the views of all concerned. What
seems just and proper IN one locality, is rep
resented as unequal and harsh in another, and
caution and prudence are required to pre-
serve the proper equilibrium.
In its general features the present bill does
not vary largely from its predecessors. Debts
on mortgage have been exempted.
Hotels accommodating fifty or more board
ers. pay one hundred dollars; those having
from twenty-five to fifty dodgers, fifty dollars,
and those from ten to twenty-five. twenty five
dollars. First-class eating saloons or restau-
rants, twenty-five dollars. Each billiard or
ball-pOOl table for public use will pay fifteen
dollars. and the same amount Is required from
each bowling ALLEY, skating rink and shooting
gallery. Pin-pOOl tables will no longer be
licensed, as this amusement is considered as
having about it too much of gambling char
acter.
The main interest centered in the license
asked for the privilege of dealing in spiTitu-
Gus, yinOus or malt liquors, which was fixed
by the committee at the former sum of $500.
Heretofore the vendors of beer, etc. have paid
"A fee of SIS. Under the present bill, their
license Is fixed at the same amount as those
who deal in spirits. 1t was alleged in the
course of the debate that under the protection
OF malt license dealers were constantly IN
the habit of mistaking whisky for lager and
porter for brandy, and that their patrons
never complained of the error. At all events,
the beverage brewed by King Gambrinus is
ranked with that distilled by King Alcohol.
Amendments reducing the amount to $50,
$500, $40, etc, were seVerally voted down.
Arguments were made to show that the rev.
enue would be increased by reduction.
the present high rate practically had the effect
Of greatly decreasing the number of dealers
Amid all the confusion, however, the advO-
Gates of the old rate stood firmly to their
posts and carried their point. 1t was develop
ed during the discussion that there was not a
single licensed barroom in Calhoun county,
which is, perhaps, the only instance in the
state, with the exception, perhaps, of Dade,
where there Is not population sufficient TO
maintain such an establishment.
Two hundred and nineteen dealers in spirit
uOus liquors paid the license last year. pro-
ducing, with the revenue derived from the
malt license, over $4,000. 1t is estimated that
the sum raised this and next year from the
same source will approximate Sl2O,O00. This
suppOses that only One-fOurth of the malt
dealers will pay the increased license.
The state, county and town or city license
upon the sale of spIrituOus liquors, combine to
aggregate the sum Of 5000, an amount out Of
the reach Of the lower classes of dealers. This
has had the happy effect of closing scores OF
corner grOg shops and crossroads rum holes,
and of retarding to some extent the misery
inflicted upon the community through their
instrumentality. People generally are be-
coming educated upon the subject and i'm
pOrtance of temperance, and very healthy
tone Of public opinion Is being formed upon
this important matter. The present Legisla-
ture contains many staunch adherents OF the
cause who are always ready TO couch their
lances in its defense.
As / have before had occasion to remark,
the growing strength of the temperance move
ment is observable in the largely diminished
number Of the members of the present Legis-
lature who indulge in ''the flowing bowl"
There has probably never before assembled
body Of men within the walls of the capitol,
who have been so remarkably abstemlOus IN
this respect. In this they have done them
selves and the State great honor, and have set
an admirable example. can frankly say
that have not. during the entire session. seen
a single member Of either house under the in
fuence Of ardent spirits, even within or with
out the capitol. In this feature the present
Legislature presents a marked contrast 10
others. and has no parallel.
..Drummers'' are TO pay SIS. which gives
them the freedom of the state. sewing ma
chine and insurance agents, license tax of
$40 for each company represented by them IN
each county where they dO business. Lana
agents SIS. Those who deal in pistols, bowie
knives or dirks. $50. Under this law, attOr-
neys and physicians are exempted from a
license tax
The officers of railroads are required, on or
before the first Monday in hay, TO return 70
the Comptroller the total length Of their roads
in the state. and the length and value IN each
county, city and Incorporated town, the return
70 include the values OF the right of way, road
bed. side and main tracks, rolling stock ana
locomotives. with the fixtures, machinery ana
property Of all descriptions, all Of which Is TO
be assessed and taxed in the same manner rs
the property OF individuals.
In all other respects the present bill Is SINH
lar To others Of the same character Ii Will
be taken up again in the morning. The main
difficulties arise on the special licenses, these
creating considerable talk and developing
much diversity of opinion.
In order toeXpedite work and TO get through
with the more important bills, il will probably
be necessary to hold night sessions Tor the re
mainder Of the allotted period. ABOUT nNe
hundred bills have been introduced, put
small per centage of which have become laws.
None have vet been subjected to the EXecu-
tive veto.
The bill providing for the restoration TO
civil rights OF all persons convicted Of crimes
in Justices courts and not indicted by grand
Jury has been unfavOrably reported on by the
Judiciary Committee in the Assembly. Such
an act would make voters of large number
of thieves, and would be offering a premium
TO offenders.
March is intruding on February, and comes
w. H. B.