Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1843-07-08
The Tobacco TSnde-Poiiey of Countsrrailins Quite

The Tobacco Trade-POiicy OF C0unfeTrdiiHs Durtes
lcoscLUDEDl
Mr. Editor-As indicated in n former communication,
proceed reply the second principal objection the
couniervaing policy in the under consideration
which concludes the subject.
This objection may be thus statednasmuch, they AZ
que these duties have been imposed by France and En-
gland he chief countries concerned in the tobacco trade
where these duties heavy for in the German markets
they comparatively ng for the purpose OF raising
Tepenue alone they would not under any circumstances
reduced: because the consumption mould not be
creased proportional degree-and the revenue arr
sing this would be diminished instead Of
menied.
The argument, tmay be remarked, in the first place.
amos beautiful illustration OF what the ogcians call pc
Tito PriHeip-begging the question takes tior grant
without using any establish the fact, that there
would be Of consumpton-and they then draw
the inference, which, from such premise, IS undoubtedly
se9Hfu, hat the arising from this source would
be diminished instead of increased"
The question: then, this shspe-Would there be
any OF eonsumptonland would there be such an
would justify important reduction OF the du
es3 Reasoning from facts which have existed, and do
si statistical information derived from the most
fhentc sources and from the general and universally
acknowledged principles Of Trade must come TO the
conclusion, upon candid fair and deliberate examination
that there would be great increase of consumption, and
increase Of clearly deducble consequence
This opinion most cogenty sustained by the learned
author Of the Commercial Dictionary In considering this
subject, he says:
alt appears the following official or which
Com. Dict Art Tobacco II too long to insert here
that consumption OF duty paid tobacco in Great Britain
has from about 900 900 lbs in 1888 l62i000
1885, the duty during the period having uctuaied
from Is Sd to As and is per ID There are however, sui
cent grounds for thinking that the consumption could have
been least fourth greater had the duty been ess
But whatever difference Of opinion exist as 90 the in
hueBee Of the duty Great Britain there he
itsi nau in he viii
Com Dic shows that during the five ending with
1885, when the duty sd pound the annual
consumption Of duypad tobacco was ,33I 81 lbs Since
1898 the population has than doubled and during
the FIVE years ending with 1885, when the duty was IS
pound. the annual average consumption has been only a.
bout 100000 pounds which, making allowance tor the
Of population shows that the consumption has
sunk tte than fourth part OF what 1t was at
The former period"
This reasoning from statistics derived from Official docu
men,s laid before Parliament brings him to tile following
conclusion: Ths the conclusion that
duty tobacco in Ireland reduced Is pound,
the consumption would he much increased that the
nue. would gain and NOT lose by the reduction"
What Of Ireland, in this respect must be true Of all
other countries There are no peculiar circumstances in its
condition which could such increase Of consump-
Of tobacco by its inhabitants in different from
and in quantity exceeding that Of many other people In
fact would that the consumption would be less in
creased Ireland than any other cOunEybecause of the
greater proportion Of paupers ia s population who could
afford 10 at any price, II, then, this increase
he clearly shown in the OF ireland, what would II he
IN more prosperous countriesf
Again. " there were a reduction Of duty SMUGGLING
would in great degree cease-duties would be paid
greater portion Of the Tobacco consumed-and the
nue. would be increased In that way also Smuggling IL
carried unless its rewards great-such
outweigh the great risks Of the operation McCuOck est
that duties paid about fourth " the
Tobacco consumed in Ireand-aud three forfLs Of that
consumed in Great Britain. The duly but an incentive
10 the energies q the smugger. and premium TO indem
nifty him Tor ms risks."
The argument usually urged by those who contend that
reduction Of duty would not materially increase the
sumption of Tobacco, that IL h luxury used by but few
and those few will generally purchase what little they
may need for their qualification any price. Granting
that II Is luxury, still it is exception to the general
law Of political Economy, laid down by Smith, Say,
Nautilus and Ricardo, that reduction Of price always in.
consumphon-which has been denied until
these lights have been elected In age and country.
reduction 81 price always brings an article within the
ability Of greater number Of persons 10 purchase -und
thus another class Of added those who have
before consumed H. The converse is equally tuoan
hanceWsn Of pnce takes out Of the power Of class Of
individuals Il certain pccuniary abilities 70 become purcha
and consumers u the article, whose relative value thus
augmented. This s illustrated present IN the consump
ton Of Wines aud other liquors The diminished impor
aiion Of these articles u luxury under new adjustment
OF duues consequence OF the dminuiioD IN their
sumption
cannot Mr. Editor. admit the validity OF your view.
this subject You say "hat these duties have excluded
the cultivation from many parts Of the world when j
would have bson cultivated for eypOrfafioH well
sumption IL home, aud operated a practical monopol
is Virginia and other States, for the supply Of Great Bh
tain" IN Whist countries be produced for eFp6rfa
fioa compete with ours None but fine quail
ties Of leaf tobacco exported " Great Brtainrarey,
inferior kinds altogether used for the cont
uade Under rate Of mposts, could the Ordinar
tobacco ~ other countries come into competition with
those markets Moreover. owing % the cheapnes5
fertility IT lands, end their peculiar adaptation for h
production II this great staple much superior nncle co
b. ahsfded Al much diminished oosf Of production
Our inferior tobacco have before stated, ~ usual
Gcrmsny-where II is assorted into The various kind
suitable the different markets % which they export h.
manufactured cgass and snuff foT their consuHI
fou The small quantity q tobacco produced IN German
used inf wrapping the cigars made 10 ther iscofies
gf1darea Of soy consequence Tor etportation ~
have slnso. monopoly Of his market where the dai
ssssithough the expenses of transportation are 20 nc
oar case Than in that Of any Oser people VII
aulg $50 this article u export
w. Wsisief ~ be Baltimore speech, expresses the op
49, fsdncon q this duty would increase consumI
go ~ - esss a France, doubf u would DO muc
iassrfs se incFease II e0nsumption- alfhoughHi
.rs scrssiy npossihie expect any mitigation ID ir
s-saspaS q A. siss hy dor GoyTnmenr sui on 10