The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1862-04-09
Letter from Baltimore.
BALTIMORE, March 90, 1862.
Hon. JAMES r. MoRRIs, Nj. c.,

100000 hhds. 1,7Oo lb. net--3c
per lb. or $50 per hid. S10,0cO,0 900
Of Maryland and Ohio, 10000
hhds, $50 ID. net. Sc per lib.
orS S25 per hid. l,5co, zoo
Of Connecticut, Ohio and New
York Seed Leaf, 1000 boxes
400 lb. net, &c per ID. or Sl2
per box 100000
100000 boxes Manufactured
Chewing Tobacco, Cavendish,s
Plug, etc., loo lb each, at Sc
per lb. 100000
a0,00e,00O III. Smoking Tobac-
co, at Sc per ID. i 600 900
20,000,000 lb. Fine Cut and
Snuff, at &c per lb. 1000 900
Pos ts s1s,3so,ooo
Now we suggest that instead of taxing
the grower, it should be so levied that
the consumer will pay the tax for his in
diligence in the luxury. Thus:
On 100000 boxes Cavendish,
1s0 lbs. each, sO,0O0,00o lbs.
p at 1Sc per lb. $1e,oO0,Oo0
On 20,000,000 lbs. Fine Cut and
Snuff, at 15c per lb. 100000
On 2e,000,O0 lbs. Smoking To-
baoco, at loc per lb. + 2,ooo, 1000
On 100000 Cigars, at &c.. 100000
Thus realizing the sum of $l7,500.000
So laid that it will not be felt, and also
in such shape that it can be collected of
the Manufacturer, with but triaing OK.
pense to the Government.
In this manner the tax would be st.ic.-
ly az, excise tax-would not be directly
felt by the producer; would be simple in
form, and make it (if burdenssme it must
be, bear directly on those who enjoy the
lurary Of consuming.
i A direct tax of three cents per pound
on Leaf would have to be collected from
the producer. In your State (Ohio. the
crop is grown in small lots--as many.
we should thiuk, as four to Eve thousand
planters being engaged in its cultivation.
Now, how could such tax be collectedf ?
It would be almost impossible. By d..
rect tax on the Leaf, the production of
the United States would be brought into
competition with the growth of Europe.
and other countries, where laber is cheap.
aud the result would be that the crops
herein all the States-would be st
once reduced to at least one fourth Of
their usual size, and tins the Government
would derive no. revenue from the article;
and, moreover. any tax laid Oh the Leaf
in the hands of the producer, without a
corresponding drawback to the exporter.
would be an export tax, would be odi ous
and in direct conflict with the Constitu,
tion of the q. States. which distinctly
declares in Section 9, Article S, that Nc
tax or duty shall be laid on articles ex
ported from any State. sae
/ The production Of Tobacco in you
State is about 100000 pounds pc
annum, and the average price realized b!
your growers is certainly not over cent
per pound, tax of 3 cents per poun'
would be IS per cent: your crop is al
exported The production of Tobacco il
Maryland is about $4,000 hhds of S5'
+ pounds each per annum. aud its averag
, price in Baltimore, for Is years past j
only cents per podnd; tax Of thre
a cents per pound on it would be, 60 pc
cent; and this crop. too, is all exported
The crops of Virginia, Kentucky and tt
Western States are about 200. 00e hid
q of 100 pounds net each, aud ,thsir "a
. ues recently, have been higher ,hau tho
a of Ohio and Maryland 1t. however. m,
be asserted. that a tax of three cents p
r pound on all Leaf grown in the couutr
q would be full 40 per cent. on their valu
}. taking the sales of the last Is years as
, average.
!. When manufactured Tobacco is SO
o for export, drawback could be allowe
i. so as not to interfere with the forei!
=. trade in it, but no drawback should
a allowed without q corresponding impc
y protection being given to prevent the
e turn here of the manufactured article
ID unequal competition with our mauufactr
ers, aud to give US an eqaal chance iE
"a prov ncial and otter markets.
n We fad the impression is general. Il
the production of Tabacco in ths Uait
IN States is larger than in all the world
It sides, bat glance Ut STATISTICS given
,e low, will shaw you that sach is not
te case.
"a Very respectfully.
,r JOHN SULLIVAN s SONS