The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-01-10

u
/, HAVE BEEN REACHED FAVORABLE TC
! THE BRITISH VIEW-MEETING IN NOR.
FOLK FOR THE RELIEF OF TUE FLOOD
sUFFERERs-CALL FOR A NATIONAL RE.
FORM CONVENTION, &c, &c.
Washington.
THE TOBACCO. INTEREST MEETING IN WASHING.
TON YEsTERDAY-vIEWso OF NEssRs. TUCKER
AND CABEIL-vIRGINIA's CLAIM AGAINsT THE
/ UNITED STATES FOR MONEY ADVANCED IN
L.. THE WAR OF 1S12-THE woRAN-sUFFRAGE
CONVENTION, &C.
From our Regular Correspondent
/ WASHINGTON, January 9.-The only to.
bacco delegation here to-day was that from
DanyIlle, consisting Of Messrs. c. G. Hot
land, George C. .Ayres, Thomas J. TaiS2tt,
Charles Il. Conrad. ". E. simms, and j.
D. Patton. Colonel w. P. BurwelI, OF
Richmond, who reached the city yesterday,
met them at the rooms of Colonel CabeIl,
member of Congress from the Danville dis
trict, and participated in the interesting
meeting held there.
kilograms were sent to committees from
Richmond, Louisville, Cincinnati, and other
leading tobacco points, so that this great
interest may be properly represented be-
I fore the Committee of Ways and Means OF
the House, as soon as Congress assemblies,
with a view 10 material reduction OF the
tax on the weed. The wtiskey-men will
also be communicated with, SO that there
may be an immediate concert of action on
the paft of dstillers and tobacco-manufap-
turersl
at tie meeting to-day both Messrs. Tuck
er and Cabell, of the Virginia delegation
gave their views at length.
zEMARks OF MIR. TUCKER.
Tn response to number OF questions Mfr.
Tucker said:
1. What reduction? Is it proper to re-
duce to twelve cents on tobacco, and whiskeY
to fifty cents 2 But the alarm Of the revenue
men makes IL perhaps only practicable to
reduce one third on both-that is, tobacco
70 sixteen centsand whiskey to sixty cents.
9. As to rebate. 1t is unfair to the holder
is, pay the heavier tax in competition with
Tie new products at the lower tax. But as
tint would be difficult to carry out, and
would withdraw money already i'll the trea-
sury, this should rot endanser reduction OF
rate.
3. AS to free leaf. TIiis is in the interest
Of the small grower, who raises enough for
his own consumption and wishes to sell his
small surplus. But the large planter
would purchase this privilege dearly, II
thereby it would diminish the capacity OF
the manufacturer to buy the large mass OF
his crop. Still, as the whole system Is
great oppression to the agriculturist, it is
lust tc4relieve it as far as can be done. But
it is clear that sales. by shertfs or fducia.
ries should be relieveda as proposed by Dir.
Cabeli,s bill, and his proposition as to free
leaf is very well guarded.
4. Is:it policy to unite or keep separate
the internal-tax system and the tariff re-
form This is a difficult question. 1t Is
important that the whole revenue reform
should be regarded. as, a whole, and that
cool, braurn OF reform should be aided by
the advocates Of BOTH. But the peculiar
danger Of agitation and suspense to the to-
bacco and spirit trade makes prompt action
desirable,
The tobacco tax is, peculiarly oppressive
to Virginia where theayerage price is low
making the tax fully four hundred per cent.
upon its cost. The result is disastrous to
the producer, land to the manufacturer, and
to the consumer. It is SO high as that con-
sumption cannot pay the whole tax, and it
falls in part on the agriculturist pro-
ducing the crop and the manufacturer pre-
pairing it for market.
Any supposed decrease Of revenue from
the lower tax is uniounded. In few years
consumption, diminished now by the heavy
tax, will spring forward under itssredue-
ton, and thus benefit the planter by in
creased price for his crop, and the manufac-
turer and his employees by enhanced profits
and wages.
But any possible decrease OF revenue will
be made up by the proposed income-tax.
That will make the burthens Of the internal
revenue equal between the sections is fair
and Just, and would fully realize all that
any apprehended loss from lower tax on
tobacco and spirits would produce.
The reduction must be made. The agi-
tation will never cease until it is done; and
agitation is injurious to the trade and to the
revenues.
Let the Government lift its burdens from
production and trade will revive, and the
revenue will be sufficient. 1t is in the mu-
tual bene6t-to the Government for its Just
needs, and to the people for their hard
labors-that the highest prosperity and
peace and contentment will be obtained.
MIR. CABELL's VIEWS.
Mr.. Cabell said: My views in the main
can beseen by reference to my bill present
ed to Congress. Or course there are clauses
which are introduced in Difference to the
opinions of gentlemen from other sections
OF the country. endeavored to shape such
bill as would meet the wants, interests,
and requirements of the different tobacco
sections and those representing them.
am strongly in favor Of a reduction o.
the tobacco tax to twelve cents; would
urge less rate if thought there was any
prospect Of success.
No product can stand tax Of twenty
four cents, especially in such times OF depres
sion and shrinkage as are upon US. II thi;
tax is persisted in manufactured tobacco
will in few years be driven out Of th'
marketas commercial product. Already