National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-01-13
THE TOBACCO TAX.
PROTEST OF THE VIRGINIA MANUFAC-
TURERS.

PROTEST OF THE VIRGINIA MANUFAC.
TURERS.
An adjourned meeting of the tobacco manufac-
turers of the city Of Richmond was held at the
Tobacco Exchange on Saturday. The meeting
was called to order, and Mr.. David Baker jr..
elected chairman. Mr.. R. A. Mills was requested
to act as secretary.
Colonel W. P. Burwell offered the following
resolutions, which were unanimously adopted:
special report lately recommended to Congress
an increase Of four cents per pound on manufac-
tured tobacco, thereby increasing the burdens on
this subject u 20 900, when it already pays annu
ally into the national Treasury more than 81, y
and that too, in face of the fact that two
years ago it was conceded in the contest before
all that the requirements of the Government
would then need, and that only for q few years,
whereas '' that hat policy which thus selects a
staple production Of six or eight States Of
this Union to heap up the burdens Of
ity guaranteed by the Federal Consultation, is
certainly against Its spirit, and is based on false
analogy to the English system Of axation on this
On only with view of wringing the greatest
amount Of revenue from it ms an article Of PURE
luxury rather than as great industry Of our
support, and therefore should b an especial o.
jeet Of the fostering care Of this Government and
Whereas the reduction of nearly seventy per cent
resnitino IRON, the contest before Congress in
1877 has greatly stimulated the consumption Of
manufactured tobacco, carrying 1t from 95 600 900
pounds up to lis, 900, 900 annually, and thereby
greatly benefiting the planting interest Of the
whole country, to the extent that 1t hns created
an additional demand for their leaf: therefore
Resolped, las the sense Of the tobacco men OF
Richmond,) That the late recommendation Of the
Secretary of the Treasury to increase the tax on
manufactured tobacco four cents per pound fs as
unjust as 1t is unnecessary; unjust because 1t Sc
lects staple production Of six to eight States of
this Union to heap an additional burden Of over
four millions, which is now pouring m immense
revenue into the Golfers of the Government; un-
years shows that o reduction of the rate of tax
has SO greatly increased the consumption that
more revenue flows into the Treasury than under
the older and higher system.
Resolred, That a committee Of five be appointed
to communicate the resolutions to our Senators
and Representatives in Congress, and request
them to use all proper means to defeat this une-
quail Recommendation.
Resolved, That the cooperation of the toba Go
men throughout me country be requested to aid
sc IN defeating this scheme Of additional taxation
on this our great industry, and the press of the
State md country be requested to lend their pow
efful influence in antagonizing Q proper public
opinion against this measure. 'sE
Resolred, That the secretary Of this meeting
present copy of these resolutions to our papers
and send one to each Of our Senators and Repre-
sentatives, with the request that they be laid
before their respective houses. 4
Under the second resolution the Chair ap-
Samuel NJ. Bailey, Jas. B. Pace, Alexander Cam
eron, Lewis H. Frayser.
On motion, David Baker, jr., was added to the
committee Adjourned