The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-01-14
TOEiCC0NIsTs, CONVENTION.

Action ON Congressman Wells Rcr0rt ON thc
TnxasioH OF Manufactured RIatcrini-Thr
Document Recommended for Adoption.
Yesterday afternoon influential meeting OF tho
members OF tho Fine Cut Tobacco Association was held
at the Astor House take wcllcs report
on the taxation Of manufactured articles Tho meeting
called twelve O'Clock but after O'Clock
repres from various parts of tho country
in until tho room finally got full.
Mr. w. L. Laurance the president Of the association,
voted into the char, and having called the meeting
TO order said that the members Of the association had
been summoned together specially to take action on the
report OF Commissioner Wells TO Congress far II
relates tobacco and the recommendation he
makes for stamping tobacco instead OF lis pay duty
bulk, NJ present done. The chairman ohseryoi
that undor the existing system the worst species OF
frauds perpotrated honest manufacturers, and
many OF the best houses present doing very
lowest amount OF business and arr suffering loss every
day. The Tobacccnsls' ASSOCIATION. he observed
ono OF the Oldest trade organizations the country IL
om'nandsd very large amount a. capital. and the
present meeting ought TO deliberate saundy tue
subject before them account not only Of us influence
themselves, lut on the trade generally throughout
the States, Inc secretary pro ten MAS thsn directed 70
reed that portion OF Mr. Wells report relating 10 the
frauds in tobacco aud tho means he advised FOR obs as
such frauds.
when this report had been read Nr. NcAipino OBJ
served that the only thing the manufacturers Of fine cut
tobacco wanted was to protect nesav s. aad by protect
ing the government from fraud ~ the duty they would en-
their own protection from dishonest deeiers He did
NOS care what ue tax was so long a. they had protection
Every OF now the revenue ass were
administered and what glangseyasons passed current
every day. Tue tobacco revenue ~as Only second TO
that distilled spI and Il was one OF Tie mot impor-
tant points for the consideration Of Congress. There
things thai hal TO Do remodsi before the
collected properly. First the revenue officers
wore incompetent; secondly counterfeit brands we're
continually used mex, tero was no uniform 81 stem 81
packing Tobacco, as barrels and boxes we're used IN
dscrenEaisy, ana lastly the tax .as lower On some
species o. tobacco than Others, besides which the
hand and machine system, we'll tho custom OF
bonding tobacco, MI OF which were preJulicla 10 Tie
honest and aghforward manufacturer il tho leaf to
baccr taxed beofs Il vent INTO the manufacturers
hands a. all these evils would avoided, but that
could DO done present The mcetns should tase
into consideration whether Mr. Wells plan of using
Stamps packages Of cay one bali ounce. ono ounce.
two OF tobacco would not yield better
protection than tho present syAloa q collecting
tho duty. Then the sale q any tobacco Uni aeAcd
aud unsampod would show at once thst he'd nOt paid
duty could DO sie4od aud tue trader prosecuted
All he Mantcd was, that the tax srcuc ba o. modified
that honest and respectable traders should 81 least
be- put OF par with tho irresponsible MI Mcintyre
then prolered series " resolutions q tins entcL
rhe Chairman said that theso resolution woad prin.
cpay Affect the MANUFACTURES OF inH CT tobacco, but
IL would DO vel that The dealers ia csvcndlsh aud
plug tobacco Should JOIN issue Win tue otnsrt. aud
these rosn sons would have more eject az Washington.
Mr. HAT observed that lye cent stamp would be re-
CURED every ounce package OF tooacco II the tar 70
Mr. Joseph D. Evans said all ought to have sympathy
In tho movement OF tho meeting Dot DO, rs occ Of
the representatives OF the cut ca'endsh trade did not
quite agrse with all tho remarks OF Mr hcAipine.
IL only within tho last ear and half that nc
had found the collection OF the revenue tax unfair
the traie During tho war the tax OF ton OF fifteen
cents on tobacco cOieclaOlc aud was collected.
The meeting ought TO show Congress- that thsy hayf
some OF their trade, and not i'ave u 10 sofns
or tho members OF Congress, WHO knew nothing about
the matter Tx tue tax Tor them. lie was NOT 40 pat
rotic for the revenue than for himself,
aud he wanted TO the tar reduced Another genir
remarked that ~ the present tirne some parties
selling tobacco at less pfce esea than 'no gov.
eminent tax He wanted protection
further discussion n rcsOution approving
OF q stamps packages OF tobacco WAS adopted
unanimously oy the meeting, which sncn adjourned.