The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-08-28

T-~sst -~--@sS-
In Mississippi. tho value OF products
increased 139 per cent: In Virginia.
102 per cent; in Mississippi. there
were "a paupers to every 100000 OF
population; in Virginia. there were
81 paupers: in Mississippi, there
were 10 insane persons to every
100000 of population: in Virginia.
176; in Mississippi, number OF State
prisoners. l2S to every 100000: in
Virginia. 1859; in Mississippi, 76 per
cent. of the children of school age
we're enrolled; in Virginia, 81 per
cent: In Mississippi. number OF per-
sons between Is and 20 years at
tending school, 80 per cent. in Vir-
ginia, 35 per cent.
The above comparison shows that
In every single case the Prohibition
State of Mississippi. with It's large
negro population. makes a better
showing than Virginia. and II Is at
tributable to the fact that she
has removed the traps which slaugh-
tered her citizens, and relieved of
the incubus Of partnership in the
sale OF Intoxicating liquors, Is press
ing steadily forward.
Taxation Discussion Coftemptlpse.
As matter of fact, however, this
entire discussion of taxation Is too
contemplate to be considered by
we'll informed men. and the only
reason the matter has been brougt
forward is the hope of the liquor
- lnrA3vn
sons who have not made II study
and who cannot imagine that re-
spectacle men in good standing In
the social and civil life Of the State
would print and circulate such
sweeping Misrepresentation OF the
real facts.
20 Cents Per Capita
Were It true that every dollar re-
ceived by the Commonwealth of Vir-
ginia from the liquor traffic.
amounting all told to about s54s,-
900, would be revenue lost to the
Commonwealth without any CORE
spending compensation. the amount
involved per capita would be 30
trifling as to bring the blush OF
shame to the face of every man VIM
seriously discussed II. Did It be-
come necessary to make up this de-
flciency by increased taxation. the
total amount involved would be
about 90 cents per capita for the
population Of Virginia. And should
somebody be suspicious, short cal
culation will show that were there
no increase in property values In the
State. and as great need for appro-
priations for new buildings for in
sane asylums, the penitentiary and
schools and colleges, the increase In
the tax rate which would be neces-
sarv to make up the deficit would
not be more than FIVE cents on the
500, so cents on $1,000, and $500
on $4,000. Is It not an insult to
the farmers OF Virginia to suppose
that they can be made to believe
that their taxes will be heavily In
creased to make up the money now
paid into the treasury by the per
sons licensed to sell INTOXICATING
liquor? What man in Virginia can
be found who will stand up and say
that he would vote to continue the
partnership with the liquor traffic
rather than to pay the trifiing sum
OF so cents on $1,000 worth OF as
sessed property.
But 1t is the opinion OF the men
who have studied the finances OF the
State for many years that the In
crease In property values will be sc
great by 1916 that not only can the
State dispense with all the license
money from the liquor trafflc. but
that there will be q surplus in tht
treasury. which very shortly viii
allow a reduction in taation.
Your statement. therefore, that
"the advocates OF Statewide Prohibit.
tion cannot truthfuliy deny that
your taxes will be increased II their
scheme Is adopted" Is most positive
ly contradicted by the facts, and
am obliged to say. with all frank.
ness, that the advocates OF the
licensed SALOON cannot truthful
ly" say that there will be any in.
| crease in taation.
Specify a State where the rate OF
taxation has been increased because
OF Prohibition.
Suspicious Interest.
When were Richmond business mer
ever before found to be so eager
| to protect the farmers from In
creased taxation7 When has the
! liquor traffic shown such affectionafs
| interest In the farmers welfare? II
| II not clear to every discerning mar
| that all this literature has beer
printed and distributed through thu
| State, not for the sake Of the farm
err, but to try to persuade the farmer
to continue the partnership OF Vir
ginia with THE SALOON, SO tina
THE SALOON may continue to ge
its $30,0o0.0o0 and turn over t
Virginia $54s,0oo7 For straight
unauthorized, diabolical misrepre
sensations. THE SALOON and 1T
agents have never had an equal
They will misrepresent conditions IL
towns, and cities and States: the,
will misrepresent the testimony o.
honorable men: they will Islander
and abuse the noblest men and tht
purest women. And all this viii
they do for one great object. namely
| to be allowed to continue their part
nership with the State Of Virginia
bringing in to them $50. 900, 900. ou'
OF which they give to the State thu
contemplate bride of $548.0o0.