The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-11-27
Repeal OF the Cotton Tax.

So many influences are moving Congress TO
n consideration of the expediency of the imme-
mediate repeal of the tax on raw cotton, that
there is little doubt that tie majority Will
prove to be in its favor, and make cotton free
of all taxation but that which arises out of bad
and insufficient labour and costly living. But,
although the wisdom of a repeal of the tax is
acknowledged, there are great differences OF
opinion as to the manner in which the change
should be made. One party contends that the
intention is to relieve the impoverished pro-
ducer. and that the repeating act should be
made retrospective so as to clear all cotton In
the hands of the producer on the first Septem-
Der. This would, of course, be great rellei,
as, virtually, the whole crop Of 1867 was IN Ine
hands of the producer on that day; but the plan
is opposed by body of influential men WIN
argue that when the cotton was sold 1t was WIFI
the tax paid, and under free knoWleage u
the existence of the tax, and that the allowance
of return of the tax paid by producers ai'ei
Sentember lst would make it necessary 10 retain
an army of agents and collectors, at great eA'
nensc TO the Government and annoyance to the
country. These latter therefore recommend
that the tax should be repealed so as TO clear
from the tax nil cotton in the hands OF the pro-
ducer factor or merchant, at certain DAY 10
he named in the act of repeal, and that no
claim should be allowed for any cotton tax al
ready paid, either by producer merchant or
anv other person. The effect of this would DC
70 clear away all membranes. Collectors
and agents might pay over their balances anu
close their accounts; there would be no outlay
no DELAY, no confusion. But while mercnan's
ond 6nanciers are arguing upon the pest
manner of repeating the cotton tax, the trade oil
the Southern country is being seriously and
;uiuriously affected. Nearly every man believes
that the tax will be repealed before long, but
every man does not know who will receive the
Immediate benefit. To avoid risk as Tar as
practicable, the planters have determined to
hold their cotton until the question is declded;
and by their necessary inaction, tie trade OF
Charleston. Savannah, Mobile and New Or-
leans must speedily suffer. The receipts OF
cotton are falling off daily, and unless some
thing definite is done at once, the cotton trade
of the South will soon be brought to stand
still No producer will sell cotton at this time
unless TO save himself from bankruptcy or
starvation; no man will take the chance OF
losing two and one half cents, upon each one
Wound Of cotton that the freshets, and caterpil-
lar, and prOwling freedmen have spared
The one thing essential then is-prompt and
decisive action. North and South are alike in
interested in this matter; for New York, Boston
and Baltimore will suffer with the cities of the
South. The whole producing and consuming
interest in this can move together, and they
can impress it upon the attention of Congress
that to do good and avoid harm, an Act repeal
inc the Gotten tax should be Immediately con-
sidered and passed.