New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-01-20

of those unacquainted with the subject,
but also to give lucid explanation both Of
the importance and justice OF the law.
Tobacco is an article which, owing to the
bulky manner OF its packing, is sold by
samples altogether. IT. being impossible
for the buyer to personally examine the to-
bacco contained IN the hogshead, he is coE-
PEELED to rely on the sample by which he
buys il as being the correct representation
of the same: hence, we find in most States,
such as Virginia 1.-THE mother of the tobacco
raising States), Maryland, Missouri, and
others, as well as in ell the large cities or
countries of Europe, laws enacted for the
government of those intrusted with the
responsible charge OF drawing such samples.
We have had a tobacco law in force be.
fore the war, not AS the Ptcdyune states,
:. similar to this tut one Ear different in
its provisions.
The old law was found impracticab'e be-
cause it required the inspector TO classify
1 all the tobacco, thereby making him The
sole Judge of the quality thereof. to the in.
jHry Of the parties connected with Che To-
Dacco business. I: was therefore ignored.
During the civil war. in absence of any
legislative power. the Chamber OF Com.
mOrce. recognizing the necessity Of soIEe
law governing tobacco inspectors, issued
certain code Of their own requiring those
whom they empowered 20 act a. inspectors.
7 to give bonds in the sum OF $4,000 each
for the honest performance Of their duties.
From this body the present incumbents
claim to derive their authority. They do
not form board. bu: constitute three diff
terent firms; nor is there a limit 10 their
number, the recommendation o. one or
more tobacco receivers being sufficient to
increase the same.
These inspectors depend for their bust
ness entirely upon the tobacco owners or
receivers whose patronage rheys have TO
court, as it is altogether in the power of
these gentlemen TO give or take away their
business. IL seems, therefore, natural that
their interests would incline them to favor
their patrons in drawing the samples, re-
CARELESS of the injury or loss it might work
to the buyer or consumer. While do not
charge any OF the present incumbents with
such malpractice, yet tie dependent posi-
ton they now occupy towards the tobacco
receivers would permit suspicious of that
kind to arise in the minds OF outsiders.
Now, then, what u the objecs Of the law
proposed by me!
Flrst--To establish, by legislative action,
the laws laid down by mercantile usage for
the inspection of tobacco: and
Secondly-To place the inspector-the
party intrusted with the responsible duty
of sampling the tObacco-in a position
entirely independent of either buyer or
seller; compelling him, for his own protec-
ton, TO be careful in rendering his samples
as correct as possible; making the old
adage, honesty is the best policy strictly
adaptable in his case; for only by being i'm
partial and honest in the discharge of his
duties, can he MAINTAIN himself in Office.
The bill l have introduced before this
honorable body elaine nothing more: the
same laws which commerce requires. and
which should govern the private inspectors.
are mace imperative for she guidance O..
the appointed inspectors.
At present we have five Of these inspect
ors engaged in this business, to wit: Messrs.
Summers, 'Hayes, Harper, Burk and King
hrother to Mr.. John Z. King, cited by the
Pcayu,e a. authority for the views ex.
pressed in the aforementioned article).
The bill introduced before this House
calls for the same number of appointed in
spectOrs, allo wing them the same charges,
prescribing the same duties, and granting
them no privileges but what the trade now
accords to these gentlemen: not. a. the
PcaylNe enormously states. creating
monopoly but. on, the contrary. making
them amenable to the law for any derelic.
ton of duty. and compelling them to give
good and solvent bond. il the sum OF
$4,000 each, for the protection OF those who
should suffer by any wrongful act of theirs.
as well as for the faithful performance of
all those duties which the above named
gentlemen now profess TO perform.
In fact. the law introduced before .li.
honorable BODY changes nothing q. lar as
the commercial routine OF business Is con-
ctIred. but only e.taoilshe. as law those
usages ~hicn now govern the trade, and
g'es the 'ppoihtnGnl % inspectors 'nto
&C. 80 ;ns.ead - 'oar;n,i. :, ~ o. =. 'n
.Mr. King AMI other oromiueu. ,obacco
receivers" 20 employ :he1c own friends for
thas purpose
.,o;r. ia fre oen.Ie.aan y. T,roso,. I'd
In the tobacco inspection business. thew
would positively have nothing % change
ou! me headlng OK theis 'ample casds.
tbarefare t,,e or onnosi.;on - he oasHas
OF this bill. tina. can be urged by the tobacco
receivers IS not that it is a cestyic-
non or inpeGimens 70 commerce; put mat
ot instead Of b4inc denen5en. on tbem
Now, i. does seem strange 20 ,ne. Mr..
Speaker and gentlemen OF this House. that
unas s.;sd' unSna' Mn,eu al GUY iusuie
Bile a more impartial inspection of .ohacco.
should SO alarm the tobacco receivers as TO
lead them 10 lear me loss q their trade.
ana can Only pronounce sucn apprehen.
sio1s as 'nG p1ses 4a'i.I % slslon'
anu unless 'ir. hihg an" otner tooacco re-
. celserS can snow more snostahli.l reasons
th;s h;Ir am ;nninad "a el e. +t go -,
the threatened 1narshaling of the Lecisla.
lures of Tennessee and Kentucky 70 their
a1u "oul' NOT materially aHecs Hs passage
Mr. Da''oson' Oh LFlngsIoh' oHeged
substitute 70 House bill NO. %. entitled the
funding bill. 10 be referred with the oyig;.
nal 70 committee ct the Whole.
;, would o. =, f. o,r:.