Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-04-28

Thus in double sense, we are tributary to the money
uoparcAs Of Europe No other branch Of industry Is
so borne down by the eXactons OF foreign arartce II
should not he 50; Il il the ranEcst commercial tyranny
and stain upon the spirit OF the age Let those WHOM
il concerns wake NJ. We have been asleep tor more
,beu half century; the time for action has come \
Tobacco Planters Convention is to be held IN WASH.
inGton City the lst of May hope III" citizens o.
Danvi!Ie and the entcrprsng Planters Of the surround
inc country will take into consideration the pr"puety
Of holding meeting TO appoint delegates t" mat con-
yentona convention that may, IN It's ultimate effect,
weld much solid benefit to the State
Hashin"O GIN, .Uarch :, 1910.
Dear Sir:-Thc subject of The duties and restrictions
UPON the tobacco trade, with foreign nations, has eX
cited much interest in many who are connected with
il, Our portion of Virginia mas : yet taken ltc
concern in the proceedings upon this subject although
has as deep an interest stake any other part oil
the country.
Your intimate relations with both planters and deal
ers induce to suggest TO you the proprety OF call
inc their attention in any manner you may think
The convention to be held at this pace the lat of
Nav next.
This convention is called by the President Of a
ven,on Of Delegates who assembled here in 1887, IN
pursuance OF the invitation OF number oi tobacco
planters OF MARYLAND. That convention submitted a
.nemoria 10 Congress, which referred TO select
committee. The committee made an elaborate report
setting forth the neglected and oPnese condition OF
the tobacco trade, and recommended the following reso
lutioa which was adopted:
THAT the President be requested TO instruct the
ministers and nthc- representatives OF this country IN
France, England, Russia, Prussia, Holland and Ger
MANY negotiate with the respective governments To
which they accredited for modification OF the du-
ties and restrictions upon tobacco imported from the
States and that he also be requested appoint special
agents to gotute in like manner, with the govern
nj of those countries into which tobacco is imported
under similar restrictions, that have accredited rep
resrntatives from the United States.
In furtherance Of the objects of this resolution mi
nisers wers appointed to Austria and Prussia SIEVE.
ra! agents were appointed to the Gemanlc principals.
ties-Gnd negotiations opened on the subject by our
ministers at other courts
4 mass of information has been derived from these
sources which encourages the belief that perseverance,
on part, will ultimately be attended with important
results.
Another select committee OF the House Of Repre-
tatives made report in 1889, which extensively
circulated; and similar committee is now engaged IN
further examination Of the subject.
We informed that it is represented abroad that
the tobacco interest is comparatively uncomfortable
one, and that the government and people OF the nj
ted States have manifested Little concern at the one.
rous restrictions imposed II b. foreign governments
These IMPRESSIONS It is the province OF the people as
well OF the government 10 remove. II cannot he IN
profitable f,r those having common interest, to as.
sembe by themselves their delegates TO interchange
acknow lodged grievances Il; any should want faith
that benefits can he accomplished, they YET should be-
represented order that mlscheis may he prevented
The L. 5, ,hUmph capable of producing tobacco
cheaper Than any portion of the old world does 10"
nish half Of what consumed, and not more than hail
present consumed that would be, II MS burdens
removed. So that, IN proportion 10 the extent 10
which those burdens may be taken oil, the I ; may
expect 10 have demand, extending perhaps 10 four
times its present amount. The past average price Z"
tobacco has afforded little beyond the cost of produc.
,ion and increase of that price, say even % per c
might add 100 per cent 10 the clear profits OF The plan
The duties and restrictions tobacco form an ano-
maIv in onr foreign trade. THIS article of trade has
been remarkably the sHb"c, otncglect b. orr own and
oc every species Of oppression by foreign governments
In England. the dnty is over seventy cents on Tie
pound In France, Spain Portugal, Austria, the Roman
States Tuscany Parua, ard Sardinia, is government
monopoly and Introduction excluded except IN small
otantitro- to mix with the Indifferent native tobacco
which hr people induced by the high price, to pro-
ducc And III the greatest part Of Germany where nearly
half OF our tobacco sen the average duty upon all
descriptions Is about one hundred per cent The tax
which tobacco pays 10 the governments OF the pco-
pie who consume IT, perhaps five tunes greater than
the whole amount paid 10 those who produce It. Eng.
land alone derives gross revenue from about eighteen
thousand hhGs OF eighteen millions of dollars and the
profits OF the French Eegir have been annually, for
twenty five years. eight millions of dollars
When duties importation were at their high
cs.: W. had less reason complaint but when ~ 4
short TIM" those duties w b" reduced 10 mnNr;mnm
of twenty per cent and nearly half q" our nipor'atonS
entirely free thr burdens tobacco viii be with
out excuse a. this moment We are receiving the
wines and silks of France nearly free from duty, whilst
she laws our tobacco under almost prohibition. In
regard to many other countries the revenue we derive
from much larger Of all their productions i'm
ported, hears proportion to the enormous sums re-
ccived b. them FROM this sing article Of ours When
foreign Governments made acquainted with the
fact that have become sensible Of the injurious e
fcts Of their legislation, they may, hoped yield 10
the mutual policy Of reciprocal benefits and burdens
Now too, favorable time. several OF our treaties,
with foreign powers being about to expire By their own
limitation.
The limits Of this letter not admitting Of greater de.
TAIL have contentcd myself with submitting these
general suggestions. will add, however, that this
question is one of the few which has party connec-
tons, and therefore may be expected TO receive un
preudccd consideration, and support according to lis
merits. am, sir, with sentiments of high respect,
Your obedient servant,
WALTER COLES.