The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-01-13
LOCAL MATTERS.
TOBACCO INSpECTIONs.
MEETING OF THE JOINT SPECIAL COM
MITTEE LAST NIGHT.

MITTEE LAST NIGHT.
The Joint special committee Of the two
houses of the General Assembly appointed
to consider the matter of tobacco inspections
met in the Senate chamber last night, Mr..
Magruder, of Albermarle, in the chair. 1t
was expected that q committee representing
the tobacco trade of Petersburg would be
present to give their views in relation to
compulsory inspections, but after waiting
for them good while, and in vain, the COM
m,ttee proceeded to business.
Judge Ould suggested that after the Pc.
tersburg representatives had been heard the
committee should terminate the discussion
as to outsiders, and with closed doors pro.
ceed to consider the questions presented.
Mr.. Ragiand said he desired first to have
read memorial setting forth the planters
views, and Mr.. Ragland handed the paper
written by bimselll to Mr. Ficklin, who
read it. .E
1t was an able and elaborate defence of
the present system Of compulsory inspec-
tions, and sharply criticised and condemned
the pamphlet heretofore presented by the
committee Of the Richmond Tobacco Ex-
change, which asked that inspections be made
voluntary. The tobacco trade here was
spoken of as a "ring," and was treated as
hostile TO the interests and welfare of the
tobacco-producers.
Mr.. Christian. of the Committee of the
Richmond Tobacco Trade, said he desired to
ask Mr.. Ragand question.
Mr.. Ragland: am not on the witness
stand.
Mr. Christian: think you are. desire
to ask you whether you are in favor OF ail
State or all private inspections!
Mr.. Ragland replied that ne was in favor
Of maintaining State inspections. lie was IN
favor OF inspecting tobacco in hogShcadS, anu
was acting on the defensive. 1t was known
that two Of the warehouses Of Richmond
had refused to accept the inspectors appoint
ed by Governor Kemper, and had given
notice Of their purpose to close as State
warehouses. This, he believed, was the en-
tering wedge to destroy State inspections.
MIR. Christian rejoincd that the least that
could be said against the present system Of
compulsory inspections is that two inspect.
ors for each warehouse are unnecessary. No
Importance was attached to their inspections,
and it imposed cost upon this great interest
without yielding any corresponding beneht.
II two inspectors disagreed, they negatived
each other; if they agreed, the verdict Of
two was no better than the verdict OF one.
r. more than one is required, there ought TO
be- three.
In reference to Mr.. Ragand's position,
Mr.. Christian said be was lately present at a
public meeting of the adherents of Mr.. Rag
land in Halifax county. at which resolutions
endorsing the present inspections had been
adopted. There were about fifty persons
there, and he did not believe that all OF them
together sent to the Richmond market one
hundred hogsheads Of tobacco per annum.
Some apprchensions had been expressed
Inv the trade of South Boston that
in the tightening Of the present
laws they would be compelled to have
compulsory inspections at that town. Dir.
Racland promised them that if they would
90 with him they would not have to have
INSPECTIONS if they went against him in
spectons might be forced upon them. Thus
they were promised reward If they sus-
taipcd him, and threatened if they went
against him. Mr. Christian asserted that OF
the five counties that had passed resolutions
endorsing the present laws each one had
either an appointee in Richmond ware
house or had citizen an applicant for ap.
pointment.
Mr.. Ragland declared that in this contro-
versy there had been from the first an at
tempt to divert attention from real issues TO
assail his personal position. He proceeded
to defend himself and to show the correct
ness and fairness of his views. Instead OF
five counties endorsing the present laws
| there had been public meetings in ten coun-
| ties, and the meetings had passed resolutions
strongly endorsing State inspections. Dir.
Ragland read the names Of ten counties.
Mr.. Smith Of Nelson: SO far as Nelson is
concerned desire to say that the meeting was
a very small one. There were probably not
more than thirty persons present. Believing
that the meeting did not truly represent the
sentiment Of the tobacco-growers intend TO
pay no attention to the resolutions.
Mr.. Gray, president Of the Richmond To-
bacco Exchange, corrected two Of ar. Rag
lands errors. Planters could sell their to-
bacco on the floor of the Richmond Tobacco
Exchange, and ut only a very triding cost
and the majority or any large portion of the
Richmond memorialists ecere not interested
in the warehouses.
After some further irregular discussion
the committee agreed TO Judge Ould's sug
gestion, and adjourned to Thursday night
| when it will hear from the Petersburg trade
(and probably from the Farmers Council)
and then proceed to consider the questions
before them without outside help. ..