The New York herald., 1870-02-24
TOBACCO TRADE IN COUNCIL
Meeting Of Delegates from Twenty. three
States In Conyention-Speeches and
Resolutions Pr0cIaiming and Em.
bodyng the Programme
of Future Action.

A. NJ yesterday and made all the necessary Drellmi-
nary arrangements for the general convention called
for at two O'Clock in the afternoon, at Steinway
Hail. the latter place at the hour named was filled
with representatives OF all branches OF the tobacco
trade from nearly every section OF the country.
Considering the fact. however, that 1t was meet
ing OF tobacco dealers 1t seemed somewhat sad 10
see conspicuously posted up on all sides
OF the hall, Positively no smoking" Bus
thus 1t was, and the printed prohibitions
were duly compiled with. For that matter,
more intelligent looking body OF men is rarely to
be seen In any convention. While the delegates and
other attendants were taking their seats band dis
coursed delightful music from the gallery. The rear
or the stage was profusely ornamented with Ameri
can tiags.
Mr.. w. E. LANMRR president Of the New York
Tobacco Association, called the meeting 10 order
and moved the appointment OF J. D. Evans OF New
York. as temporary chairman, which motion was az
once put and unanimously carried.
Mr.. EVANS briefly explained the purpose OF the
meeting, after which, on motion, Messrs. John
straiton, Thomas Carroll and Jacob Hibten were ap-
pointed Committee on Permanent Organization.
This committee submitted the following, who were
duly chosen permanent onicers:-
Eresident-Louis Palmer. New York city. =
Vice Pfestde1lts--GeOrgo Hlbben, Chicago; d.
Campbell, Newark George w. Bremen, Philadelphia;
A. X. MITCHELL Boston; James Gallagher. New Ha-
York; 4. w. Gail. baltimore; q. NJ. Bailey, Rlcn-
mond; Edward Bar, Whesiin2; J. X. Leggett, st.
Louis; I. A. Prague Covanxson; r. = Richardson. RI
chennon, Milwaukee; Robert Connolly, Indianapo-
lis; George ". Cochran washington, D; O.; 9.
Kuhn, New York. 9. Moses, New York; " Egers,
New York and J. Ward New York.
Secretaites-John strarton, New York; Alva Oat-
man, New York; W. T. Weyman, Plttspnrg; J. z.
Partridge. Chicago; W. B. Madden, CINCINNATI; N.
P. Warren, Philadelphia, and Joseph stafford, Balt
more.
greeted and then proceeded toimake brief speech.
He SAID that their organization of recent origin.
having been born In Washington last year, having
been chrlstened IN Cincinnati, ana to-day celcbrat-
ing its birthday anniversary. Its object was to pro-
tect their interests. They believed that union was
strength. The way to accomplish their purposewas to
secure Just equitable legislation They wished to
and the government In the collection of taxes and to
protect ut the same time against unlawful seizures
OF their property. AS 70 the matter Of taxes they
intended to work, and had worked TO nave the tax
upon commodities OF trade faithfully and lawfully
collected, and while doing this seek to repeal
all laws and rulings hostile to their interests.
In Congress 1t was difficult TO ind any one who
seemed to FULLY comprehend their case. With them
IL was principle that any commodity once taxed
should be taxed again. and they wanted the laws
PLAIN and simple, and take It out OF the power OF
any representative or the Internal Revenue Depart
ment 10 make arbitrary laws. They represented
thirty million dollars OF trade, and the most were
men of intelligence and only desirous OF their
rights. At present they were suffering from oppres-
siye legislation. TO take stops 10 correct this egs
laton was the object OF their present meeting. He
hoped this meeting would De harmonious and pro-
ductiye Of beneficial results
Mr. 4. H. SPENsE OF Cincinnati was introduced
and followed with brief speech. lie was glad To
see 50 many Of ther trade sogeaer was only to
ago. They had trusted too much III their capacity TO
paddle each his own canoe. II they had combined and
gone to work with the right spirit they would have
better protected their interests But the past could
not be recalled Their work was In the present and for
the future. speaking OF ehe taxation OF tobacco as
luxury he insisted that tobacco was not luxury,
but comfort to everybody. from the richest to the
poorest. One thing was certain, however, and that
was that the tax upon tobacco was Oner0us. They
did not wish 10 be excused from taxation but were
willing TO bear their full share OF the burden. The
government was saddled WIN neavy uebt, and tney
payment lie drew comparison between tne taxes
on various commodities OF trade Including luxu-
ries, and showed as he claimed. That The tobacco
interest was not properly projected. 1t beho0ved
them to insure proper respect at washington, and
with unity Of aim and purpose ne urged IN concIu
was loudly applauded as ne sat down.
Mr.. SALoM0N, Of Syracuse, moved the appoint
ment by the president Of o committee OF dive to
prepare resolutions to submit to the meeting.
Messrs. Solomon, Louis Seidler. OF New York; VIII
liam Frazer. OF Richmond; Conrad Kuhn OF New
York; Senator Nlcks, Elmlra, and j. II. Hayes were
appointed such committee.
Mr.. PEARcE, OF Utica was the next speaker. Com
menclng with q comparison between the sun OF
Austeriltz giving victory the Corslcan conqueror
and the sun iumining their pathway to-day TO IKE
final victory he spoke Of their friends as being nu-
merous Tney were to be found everywhere. As to
their trade, ne proposed to tell the truth II 1t killed
him. He referred to the payment OF a fifty cent
stamp declared valueess. This was nothing more
or less than reputation. AS well the government
might issue bonds to-day, and at iutdre tlme de-
clare them worthless. Tne act OF reputation to
which he referred was an insult TO forty millions
or people. This business was not trifing. lie re-
viewed the growth OF the tobacco trade and the nal
INN tobacco
government a revenue. Speaking OF the internal
revenue laws, he claimed that they were full OF
bunders aud that Congress on that clause could be
found guilty OF The grossest ignorance But while
Congress had made Dlunders 80 had they. What
they wanted was the tax raised from two
cents al rdtorem TO three dollars a pound and
fifty cents al UdtOren. IL had been stated
that one thousand good Havana cigars could be made
In Havana boxed and put on shpboard for less than
1t would cost to roll the same number here. They
did not want free trade in cigars They wanted a
protective tariff. He continued nls speech IN very
humorous strain,' 'eyoking by his hits upon internal
revenue officers and others frequent Interruptions
OF applause. He would have tobacco, cigars AND
snuff stamped as now, put would keep sharp eve
on counterfeit stamps, and see that those using them
were punished. He objected to being watched and
suspected and treated thieves. But the progress
OF events was IN their favor. Their national asso
Citations were rightly formed, and would make Con-
gress trcmble # they used their power. There was
good time coming.
Succeeding the appause following the last speaker
the band played an Intermediate air, and then
the meetlng. lie began with gong back to thu
platform OF eqal rights as defined by Thomas Jefer
son, ana then showed how they had been made Il
bear burdens that never should have been imposed
upon thcn The shaskles OF white slavery had beer
bound upon their limbs. They were asked to pay
fourteen millions of taxes and were now payini
twenty nine mlOns aud, more than TITS, they were
supporting y miserable set OF sneaks, spies, in
formers and tnieveS-a set Of men too
mean to associate with the damned II
| hell. He hoped the reporters would put thi
| down. The rest OF his speech was made up witt
amusing stories and pertinent suggestions calcu
| lated to advance the interests of the trade
| Again there was applause and again music by tn
| band, when MI Salomon. from the Committee OF
Resolutions, submitted the following to the meet
lDg:-
Resolved That while approve OF present stamp Ia,
and every safeguard calculated prevent and detee
fraud yet opinion the necessity monthly return
annual inventories have ceased therefore they
should abolished, since they subject trade 10 hr
initiating and dctsstabls espionage.
Resolved That we urge upon Consess to restore the
imported cigars to three dollars per pound and hf,
cent 81 tar.m, which is absolutely essential proec
home industry against the cheap labor OF foreign
Resolved rha, we urge upon Congress The repayment
the vnnsty collected all goods which can soncu
| sivcy show that they have once paid the tax.
Mr.. SALoMoN followed the reading OF Ihe resou
Il