Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1839-05-28
CONGRESSIONAL.

IHE TOBACCO IRADE.-Ile repurl Of the committee
on this subject gives important documents 10 which
would invite attention The efforts Of The Executive
TO put The tobacco trade proper footing have been
unremtlng, and the remark of the select committee,
presented by Mr. Jenifer of Mary and in regard 10 the
Presidents disposition is we'll justified Mr. Stevenson
letter is marked by great ability and industry Globe
REPORT ON THE TOBACCO TRADE
House Of Representatives,, FEB %, 1889.
Mr.. Jenifer from The select committee TO which was
referred so much of the Presidents Message relates
to The Tobacco Trade with foreign s,ales submitted the
following
REPORT:
The select committee, 10 which was referred much
u the Presidents Message relates 10 the Tobacco
Thn, the SesssnaFRee ti Of b report g =,
session contains The ms. commencement OF ns present
of anv reference 10 the tobacco trade war peSfaef
tons The committee therefore, with pleasure ms
evidence of disposition on the part OF The Executive
10 carry out the dispositions of Congress, and OF lhose
more Immediately interested in this trade, so as 10 Sc
cure for il that liberal consideration 10 when II is en-
titled. "
The fact that this product of the American soil ms
remained so long unnotieed in commercial regua.
tons and in negotiations with those countries WIN
which we Ina We treaties To have given rise 10 the
IMPRESSION that the value Of The staple was 100 ncons
derabe 10 claim the attention Of own or oil loTegn
Governments.
So long The cultivation OF tobacco was conhheu 70
bu, two or three States in The Union, It was not mat
TEL Of so much importance as 10 draw Inc aten'ion OF
The country or euire legislation in regard TO H. But
now VIXEN il is grown in nearly one hnlf OF Tue
States in The Union, and, with cotton ans rice, consti
,ues the principal product OF The STATES oil inc SCUM,
in which they particularly interested, IS rIghs na1
the Goverpnen nj Of the u S. should look 10 those IN
teress and see whether they stand upon proper foot
ing in the countries from which receive so large
quantity OF their products and manufactures
In n report which made TO the House curing 'he
last Congress- concise view was presented OF duties
and restrictions imposed upon American tobacco IN og-
land France Russia, Austria, Sweden, Denmark dol
land and Belgium, and they were contrasied WIN Tue
various and valuable imports from those countries mo
the II s. many articles of which admitted here with
n mammal duiy whilst others entirely free. This
want of reciprocity the part Of these Governments,
induced Congress to pass resolution requesting 'ne
President 10 instruct ministers and other represen
taliyps TO negotiate with the respective Governments,
IN which they are accredited for modification of the
duties and restrictions upon tobacco imported from The
IT, s.; and two ministers were, for The trs ume ap.
poioed-one 10 Prussia and the othes TO Ausria-with
specal agents 10 negocate IN Ike manner Tor Inc Pro-
lection Of the tobacco interests.
Subseuuently The President OF the U. States trans.
ni,ted report of the Secretary OF State in reference 10
resolution Of the House of Representatives, calling
for information, giving extracts from etltrs received
from our ministers and agents abroad up 10 that period
which although, very encouraging TO an immediate
chance of the policy heretofore adopted, still gave rea-
son TO hope that more liberal counses WI prevail, anu
the expectations Of the Country not be disappointed
been had 10 the correspondence in his Department,
in relation TO the tobacco trade up TO The present time
and it affords great pleasure to find that unemllted e.
forts have been made by some OF our agents abroad,
and still in progress, 10 place The trade upon proper
footing
Great difficulties are presented in The long established
noicy which marked out this staple as source OF
venue 10 some Of the European Governments, and
does moi vet appear to have entered into their views that
reduction of duties and modification Of restrictions
yond enhance that revenue beyond It's present amount
by admitting greater consumption nf The foreign and
lessee ming that OF he Indigenous plant.
The DUTY tobacco in Great Britain is three ehiIlings
sterling per pound. Its admission into France is
limited as render the market there precarons IN the
ex,rerne 10 Austria and Russia a total prohibition.
In Great Britain, France and Austria where The dn-
,ips and restrictions are most nnerons, tobacco is per-
monept object Of revenue; and IN the two latter, Go
vernmcn, monopoly. Their adherence to this policy,
;,hout ameIiG.aon furnishes the other Governments
of Europe where the duties are less bnrdensome, with
an aruuruent 10 sustain the InposIlions.
Experence has sufficiently demonstrated thata reduc.
tion If excessive duties imposed upon articles of neces
s,y or Of luxury, which from long habit have become
almost indispensable TO The comfort OF man. IS always
roowed by an increase Of consumption. This principle
nnles more especially when The reduction Of the former
drtes is considerable The United States furnishes an
example too recent not TO be recoeced by all In le3O,
her financial situation such as to lender texpedent
In reduce the duties on several OF The most important
,,;ces of consumption, such tea, coffee, &c, in
80, 10 reduce the revenue The wants Gf the Govern
ment The consumption OF these articles increased 10
snch degree. and thereby SO increased the revenue,
Thai il was soon necessary 10 abolish The duties entirely
similar examples hive been furnished by British eg's.
laon But it 10 unnecessary 10 insis upon NUN ;"
generally recognised. ,,,,.
&c The n s. in relation TO her interests, should those
Co,srppeus rersevere in continuing these unequal and
eycessiye duties impression seems TO prevail abroad,
,h,, mill The wear lc42 The u 81 By her own egsla.
lion has precuded herself from any alteration in her
t,riF or from making discrimination upon articles OF
;,,,,aon II is true there is md should be- an ndis.
on on the part of Congress 10 disturb the question
~ tho tariff unless for urgent reasons, until mat PERIOD
Ru, This applies exclusively 10 The internal policy oil the
States and cannot be 50 construed as TO give coune
,ncs in any manner Whatever To The lmpositOn oil ONE
ans duties on American products in foreign countries
o = ARGUMENT for the continuance Of those already ex.
sting. 100, a.. , - ;,cxo,oo
;,b The operatiors Of that law until the year 1872 had
n vew the domestic policy of the b s.. and at the same
lime has operated literally nson foreign imporiaons
cannot there fore be expected, should those countries
continue 10 persist in loading our productions with one.
rous and prohiblory dules that etaal"ry measures vi"
rot be adopted
h In;Ied Sia,es some free Of and Others with merely
> mammal duty. canno, but be surprised at the con-
,nued n,positlons in Europe upon American procuc's
whilst from Great Br Gin we receive her manufactures
e almost every description Notwithstanding The mum
,o effects up0n our domestic labrcs; from France her
!ko ~nce and other articles, 10 IN imnsnso a""o"t
from Germany various manufactures ard poduc!so her
coil which by the operation of The tariff laws Of Great
Britain France Austria, and Russia ore excluded rom
those countries s This product Ct The U , IN some
Of those countries is either driven from The market or
admitted upon such unayorsble terms as to discourage
The plan,e, from exporting to them. And as if still more
10 en,barrsss the planter, discrimination Is mace IN
HnlIand and Belgium by heavier duty upon Mary land
,obacco OF nearly II per than upon that imported
from any other Of The North American States
Wills, il is the desire as well as The policy OF The
American Government 10 continue uninterrupted her
enicabe relations with oil nations she cannot ou' see
b,, NJ reu,,ds The staple OF tobacco there is want OF
reciprocal ac,ion on the par, Of those European Govern
men,s with which she has commercial intercourse ana
duty 10 her own citizens requires that all their Interests
should be attended 10.
In examining The correspondence Of our ministers and
apeu,s on 81. 10 the Stale Department. We have reason
10 hope that by jadcious system OF policy adopted by
the 4 in re vIsicn of iaii laws ard treaties IN