Year: 1863

PRAYER by Rev. ID. w Fisher.
Mr.. Lamb, from the committee to whom
was referred the question of reporting an
appraisement law, reported adversely.
Mr. Rutfler introduced bill providing
for the appraisement of property, before II
shall be taken for debt. The Bill was read
first tune.


Mr.. Lamb then introduced bill for the
relief of families Of soldiers. 1t authorises
the Board of Supervisors to levy so many
cents on every hundred dollars value of the
taxable property of their county az they
shall deem necessary to provide adequate
funds for the relief Of the families of living
and deceased soldiers of their country.


The License Bill was taken up.


The committee recommended that sellers
of spirituous liquors be required to pay but
sixty instead OF one hundred.


Mr.. Ruffner favored the change as it
would increase the revenue; it was useless
to argue here about the Maine liquor law;
we could not overcome the habit of whisky
drinking by levying heavy taxes; whisky
would be drank and sold, this amendment
would increase the revenue, and be there
fore favored its adoption.


Mr. Hagar was opposed TO the amend
ment; it would not increase the revenue,
on the contrary it would tend to decrease
it. it was agreed that we would build up
our State by this movement, If our State
had to depend upon the money received
from LIQUOR sellers, we had better 60 back
to Old Virginia and live off the niggers.--
All the money and wealth We could enjoy
from the revenue received from system
that was daily bringing woe, distress and
starvation into our matchmaking widows
and orphans-would never assist to prosper
our cause.


Mr.. Ruflner said it was useless for Minis
ters of the Gospel to come to the LcSisa-
ture and attempt to effect purpose they
could not gain in the pulpit. Heavy taxa
ton would not decrease whisky drinking.


Mr.. Hagar said the old fogies of Virginia
did not like ministers in the Legislature
The Speaker was Methodist minister and
had preached the Gospel till run off by the
rebels. He now could do no better service
than defend his constituents from the curse
of liquor sellers


Mr.. Turner cared not who supported the
higher sum he would favor its adoption.-
Were we to boast about receiving
revenue from liquor sellers? Ihis
low tax system would surely tend
to increase tue number of small country
doggsries, and all knew what y curse they
were to any state.


Mr. Hall favored the idea of taking the
question by both horns. He would there
fore move to amend by inserting five hun
dred dollars as the tax for selling liquor.


Mr.. Wheat cared not whether it was fixed
at one hundred or five he would not care
if whiskey was Ave dollars drink, If this
Legislature did not FIX this question up
right the next House would. He thought
a preacher had as much right on the toor
as any other man.


MIR. Sweeney said it was said that min
listers had failed to gain their point IN the
pulpit, and had now come to the Legislature
to effect il. 1t was foolishuess to license
men to sell liquor snC permit them to make
drunkards and paupers, aud then expect
the minister to take these drunken psupers
and make Christians out OF them. It was
said this amendment would increase the
revenue: the almighty dollar wa, good
halt for some people, but he was too big q
6sb to nibblc at it. Were we TO build up
our State upon premature graves and power
=, stricken widows2 This wa. a poor
foundation, and should be rejected
Another idea was that it would increase
the numb, liquor sellers. Did We wish
to do this| God forbid it!


House took recess.