Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-09-23
A VERY BUSY SESSION
LIQUOR DEALERS RECEIVE re-
PORTS AND ELECTS OFFICERS.
TOCSIS OF THE ASSOCIATION.
Wholesale and Retail Men Are
Unit In the Fight Against Revenue
T.xcs--committce TO Attend the
LcgisIature-By-Law Changed.

The convention Of the Virginia State
Liquor-Dealers' Association was brought
10 a close last night. The actual business
Of the body was concluded in one session,
which lasted from II TO 8 o'clock.
The convention has been very sue
cessful one from every point Of view So
cially it has left nothing to be desired
| but II has served TO establish the TACT
that the wholesale merchants and the
brewers are with the retail dealers, heart
and soul, in their fight against the heavy
taxes on distilled spirits and beer
The keynote of the STATE association
was struck by the Committee on Resoiu-
lions in their report, which was unani-
mously adopted The manufacture of
splrits. wines. and malt liquors they hold
TO be as right and honorable as any other
industrial pursuit in life, therefore, they
ask no favors, but insist on such treat
ment at the hands Of the Legislature as
IL accorded to other merchants, anc au-
yocate the repeal of all such laws as nave
a tendency to lower the moral tone OF
their business. They declare that they
Weld to none in their devotion 10 true
temperance; that they are unalteraDiy op-
posed to local option, and they pleoge
their support TO the national organization
in its effort to secure reduction Oh the
internal-revenue tax.
BUSINESS Or THE DAY.
The convention was called to order at
noon by President Cannon
The report of the Auditing Committee
was presented, and showed the assocla-
ton TO be in a very fiourishing hnancial
condition.
The Committee OH Constitution and By
Laws recommended two ehanSes-hrst'
that the name of the organization, the
state LIQUOR League. should be changed
70 the state Lquor-Dealers Association;
and second. that the basis of representa-
ton should be one delegate to every ten
members. Both suggestions were adopt
ed. ....,.,,,,
RESOLUTIONS SUBMITTED.
The Committee on Resolutions present.
ed the following report, which was adopt
ed. with enthusiasm:
To the State Liquor-Dealers' Association
of Virginia in Convention Assembled at
Richmond, September p, 1893:
Gentlemen,-In reviewing the work ac-
complished by the temporary State or
eanization during the past year, in bring
ing together representative merchants
from every section of the Commonwealth,
for the purpose of advancing, elevating,
and protecting their best interests, TINS
convention feels called upon TO consralu-
late the liquor trade of Virginia upon
having effected a permanent state asso-
citation. The success met with Illustrates
the value of organized effort and proves,
-. glr hot
the State should become affiliated with
this association.
This convention declares that:
Whereas the manufacture, sale, and
use Of wines, strong liquors, and ferment-
ed beverages has existed from the very
earliest dates of recorded history, both
as a. necessity, as well as a luxury: there
fore,
Resolved. That we hold the manufac-
ture of spirits, wines, and malt liquors to
be in itself as right and honorable as any
other industrial pursuit in life; its sale,
as necessary, and, therefore, as lawful
and proper as the sale Of any other COM
modify Of common requirement.
We have no special favor to ask, but
simply insist upon such treatment, at the
hands of our Legislature, to which we, as
honorable businessmen and prompt TAX
payers. are justly entitled; and, therefore,
advocate the amendment or repeal of all
such laws which have tendency 10
lower the moral standard of our business,
thereby making it odious to self-respect-
ing citizens to pursue such a vocation.
Resolved, That we yield to no class OF
men in our devotion to true temperance,
and regard for sobriety and uprightness
Of life and department and our denuncia-
ton of drunkenness vice and crime. We
point to the fact mat the foremost ana
most liberal contributors to charitable,
educational, religious, and other benevo-
lent and philanthropical funds are the
men engaged in the liquor traffic, who
thus exemplify by their acts their moral
and charitable dispositions.
LOCAL OPTION.
We are unaIterably opposed to the prin-
cjple of the present local option law par
ticularly in such cities Of our State with
proper police regulations, and means TO
enforce them, and denying the right Of
majority of people debating to the mi
nority what they shall eat or drink, and
look upon such attempts as an unwar
rantable infringement upon personal
liberty, which constitutes one of the
fundamental principles Of our govern
ment.
While we are willing to bear our just
share of the burdens Of taxation, we de-
mand a more equal distribution Of such
burdens, as our business is suffering con-
siderably from the evils of over-taxation.
THE TAX ON SPIRITS.
Therefore, be it resolved, That we pledge
ourselves to the National Association Of
Retail LIQUOR Dealers Of the United
States our hearty cooperation in all their
efforts TO secure a reduction OF the inter-
nal-reVenue tax on spirits, recommended
by Secretary Gage. of the Treasury, from
81 10 per gallon TO 20 cents per gallon, or
any intermediate figure that may be
agreed upon. We also pledge to the
United States Brewers Association our
moral and material support, and will use
every effort in our power TO assist them
in securing a reduction of the extra war
tax on beer 81 per barrel.
Resolved, That we recognize the great
work of the National Association of Re
tail Liquor-Dealers of the United States,
and pledge them our united support in
whatever measures they may advocate
or adopt for the protection of the trade
BY the Congress of the United States.
Resolved. That the delegates TO the
National Convention be instructed to urge
upon that body the necessity of co-ope-
rating with legitimate disullers and
wholesalers in securing the enactment of
"a law which will prevent the duplication
Of warehouse receipts by which the liquor
trade has been frequently victimized in
the past.
Resolved. That we congratulate the
officers and the Executive Committee Of
this association upon the efficient work
done by them, whereby the best interest
of the entire trade was watched during
the past year.