The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-01-17

TopAcCo--AGAIS.-Reprc Is thing
our right to which 10 man denies, the ad-
yantages of which we oil take for granted.
For years we were debarred the one and
suffered for lack of the other. At length
we gained the right, and Virginia to-day has
ten representatives On the floor Of Congress,
six directly chosen by the dominant the
Conservative party, and four to represent
the Radical minority. Theoretically, we
have what we want, for in these ten people,
chosen spokesman for Virginia, we have Il
voice to make known QUIZ wants-a means to
show our condition.
1t is 8 pretty theory--would 1t were fact
But, in point Of fact, what is the article OF
production, of manufacture, and Of trade,
which is at once most important to Virginia,
and most deeply affected by the charges and
the changes Of the revenue laws Of Con-
gress? 1t is tobacco. And on this subject
what are our representatives doing! No
thing. 1t is idle to say that they cannot do
ANYTHING. The negro preacher said, in defin-
ing duty, " Eff duty tells me to jump through
wall, Use gwine TO try jumpin' at it 'longs
to me, gwine through it longs to God"
Now, if these ten legishtors--or, to be exact,
these eight. legislators and two senators
were ordered by their election to do any
thing, they were ordered to look after the
interests of Virginia and yet Of this most
important matter, tobacco, anything they
have done is yet to be seen.
Mr.. Platt, it must in justice be said, did
exert himself in this behalf during the last
session. OF the others, Last year or this year,
nothing is reported, except that Judge john
ston came numbering In with long speech af-
ter the tax bill had been reported by the conf
mittee, and for all the good he did he might
ms well have played the jewsharp before the
Senate. Mr.. Stowell, Mr.. Porter, Mr.. Duke,
Mr.. Terry, Mr.. Platt, and above all, Senator
Johnston, directly represent communities de-
pendent in great part upon their tobacco in-
terests. Do these people know that the TN
certainty US to the amount Of tax to be levied
on the manufacture of this article is keeping
our factories by the score and the hundred
closed, is keeping our workmen by the
thousand idle? .s. sa
When merchants cannot know whether
they will have to pay sixteen or thirty-two
cents tax per pound they cannot make con.
tracts, and they cannot sell the stocks on
hand the dealer likewise is in the same
doubt, and will not risk giving an order. The
result is seen III the closing Of factories
everywhere, and, further, the peculiar con-
stituents of Plat and Stowell and Porter are
out OF work, which means out OF wages and
waiting in want. e., RI, risq.a-s sfa ~,
The civil service investigation is good
thing and amnesty is q good thing; it is u
good thing, also, to inquire into the Cuban
question and TO discuss general principles
and international, relations, but the negroes
who voted for Dir. Plat knowing nothing
and curing, if possible, less for these things
know, and not only know but feel. when
the tobacco factory is shut. And the white
men who voted for MI. Duke, and Mr. Terry,
and Mr.. Johnston, though they may know
more of Cataeazy and Concha than the Ia.
borers they employ, yet they also depend
upon tobacco, and know when the factory is
shut. ..t,..a. IL, ls.--,.s..ss,
This, our chief production, We are aware,
is to bear great burdens, but in Heavens
name, gentlemen Of Congress, let us know
what that burden will be.
Bestir yourselves, and, If you cannot jump
through the wall of this matter, at least JUMP
at it.-Petersburg Iadez. @