Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-01-14

houses in Richmond, who shall have the same
powers and perform the same duties with the
other Inspectors, in order the better to supcria-
ten@ the opening and coopering of the hogs
heads, and to preserve and sell the waste tobacco.
it may also be expedient to require that before
stripping the tobacco, it should be weighed and
certified to the owner his agent, TO enable him
by comparing it with the tare and nett weight af-
forwards, TO ascertain the extent of his loss by the
process OF inspection; and to render the inspectors
liable, when it shall exceed reasonable amount
The witnesses who have been examined. generally
concur in the opinion that it ought not TO exceed
ten pounds, tor each hogshcad, where no trimming
is requisite.
1t also appears. that,la quantities of tobacco
\sometimes loose, and sometimes packed in tubs
and ca>ks) which have most probably been stolen,
are sold by black and white boa,,nen in Richmond.
ihey are believed frequently to eude the powers of
the inspector OF boats by forged permits and mani
tests II Is recommended that the sales of such to-
pacco be wholly prohibited, except under the
superintendent OF one Of the inspectors, and who
should be empowered to retain it for reasonable
.ie az 'he warehouses;, when he shall suspect that
1t has been stolen.
The inhibition of the inspectors from dealing in
or deriving any emolument from the sales of tobac
CO, although founded in wisdom, has not been very
strictly observed in Richmond. 1t was the opinion
OF several Witnesses that the violation of the law
in this respect, had frequently produced an impro
per lenity and preference in favour of those plan
tiers who allow TO the inspectors an emoument upou
then sales: and although other witnesses, equally
respectable, were OF different opinion Your COM
mittee recommend efficient provision to ensure
strict observance OF that valuable feature of the
inspection law
Many extensive and intelligent shippers and deal.
ers, were examined la relation to the benefits o.
me system oi Inspection some recommended
strongly its entire abolition; others thought thu, i
could not be safely dispensed with; and in this op
mon your committee concur.
The prohibition, however. to expert refused 10.
oacco, Is believed 10 be UNIV Use in policy and mn.
satory III practice. No good reason is discernej
WHY any portion of our products should be with
heiu from any market which may invite them Ar
present this tobacco is sold at loss to the pIan,er
because Its expectation is prohibited, but the pur-
chrsers almost always remove it TO some more len
lent inspection, where 1t Is passed and shipped In
Inc competition Tor storage fees, among .he ware
houses In Manchester, Petersburg, and Lynchlure
large quantities of tobacco refused at some OF tile
Inspections, clearly proved TO be afterwards
passed, without difficulty at Others. The law too.
which authorizes its transportation by water from
one town TO another, in the stale, permits in effect
circuiious expectation.
IL is, therefore, recommended, that when
tobacco shall be refused, some mark or brand.
indicative oil the fact, be made upon the bosshead
and that IN this situation, its sale or exporston he
permitted; or that if Inc be picked or semmed
1t shall be reinspected the same warehouse only
at which It was originally refused
The law which formerly empow cred the county
coufts,o compel the owners OF warehouses TO keen
them IN repair, was, in the opinion of your commit
Tee, injudiciousy repealed. Although unnecessary
where the Inspections too numerous, its re-en-
actment, with proper notifications and restrictions
Is stu nsiy recommended: and the authority 10 exc
cute II ana to appoin; inspectors in this CITY, where
the warehouses are only tv IN number and the
amount and value of the tobacco stored in them i.
so considerable, should be vested in the Executive
Your committee have also, according TO order
had under consideration the petition of sundry in
spectors at Lynchburg and citizens of Campbell
pray ing that whe the receipts at cer ain warehouse
in that town and county. shall be insufficient TO ma
the salaries OF the inspectors, the amount NAV he
allowed to them, out of the surplus receip,s of the
other warehouses therein: and being OF opinion.
that no change in that respect Ought to be made
they recommend that the said petition BE reiecteJ
Resoiued, That bill be prepared confoImably
to the provisions of the foregoing Report