The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-03-12

MASS MEETING OF TOBACCO EarIoYEEs At
TIE AFRICAN CHURCH.--PursrIant to cah
previously issued large and enthusiastic
meeting of the employees Of the various to-
bacco factories of the city took place at the
African church last night. The meeting
was organized by calling Mr. F. W. Jackson
to the chair. l.. F. Lottier, ESQ.,, was re-
q'lested to act as secretary. Is
The Chairman stated the object Of the
| meeting to be the presentation Of me-
morai to Congress requesting TINT body
to take some immediate steps towards
the removal of the taxes now imposed
on the tobacco interest of this commu-
nifty. The Chairman then introduced
Dir. ". P. Blrwell, who addressed the
meeting. He was followed by Colonel Dan
els, of the State Journal, and Mr.. i. Ii.
Fnyscr, all Of whom advocated uniform
tax. The following preamble and resolu-
tons were then offered by F. r. Jackson:
Whereas the great uncertainty which his
for some months hung over the internal tax
on tobacco, occasioned by the proposed
changes in the rate of taxation on the part OF
Congress, has had a paralyzing effect on the
trade of manufactured tobacco, resulting in
closing nearly all the factories for nearly
three months, depriving for that period OF
time large number of operatives of their
usual and accustomed occupation, and throw.
ing them on the charity of the city during 4
long and pinching winter, causing great suf'
tering and want among hundreds Of families
" Resolccd, /. That we, the operatives OF
Richmond and Manchester, do most earnest
ly petition Congress that this tobacco ques.
ton, on which the sustcnance of so many OF
! the poor Of this State depends, be taken up
at once and disposed Of
-. That uniform rate of taxation, in
the opinion of this meeting, will not only be
just and equitable among all classes of manu-.
tacturcrs of tobacco, but is5dlike demanded
for proper execution Of the law and the
prevention of fraud. N@ .'
80. While we do not desire to dictate the
amount of Revenue which the general Gov
ernmcnt shall derive from manufactured to-
bacco, we do yet desire to express the opin
ion of this meeting, that this industry is more
heavily taxed than any other subject Of inter
nal revenue, being three hundred per cent
Oh the average cost of the raw material, be
Ing thereby tax mainly on the labor whicl
enters Us a large constituent III the manutac
tured article
"a. That it is the opinion Of this mcctin!
that the establishment Of bonded warehouses
which has enabled few OF us to engag
i'll the manufacturing of tobacco, is one Z
the surest measures passed by your honora
blc body to prevent fraud, and enable thos
: with small capital to earn an honest living
and the. abolition of bonded warehouses wi
terminate i'll the destruction of all the smalc
manufacturers, thereby throwing many pei
SONS out of employment and the Government
deriving no benefit therefrom, therefore, W
would pray Congress to continue and eXten
this system of bonded warehouses.
"5. That we feel sincerely grateful to tn
: Government that gave us our freedom, an
do highly appreciate the many acts of Coz
greSs guaranteeing to us the rights of citizeI
: ship, suffrage. and many other privileges.
"G. That the tobacco operatives sign mt
mortal presenting these views to Congress
: and request the president of this meeting
present copy of the same to Hon. Willial
. D. Kelly, Republican member Of the Con
: mittce of Ways and Means, through Hol
/ Charles II. Porter, Republican member {
the House Of Representatives from this di
trict"
After some confusion, caused by dete
mined effort Oh the part of some to make
political question Of the matter, the vote WI
: taken, and amidst considerable confusion
the Chair decided the resolutions adopted.