The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-01-21
Washington.

| yIRGINIA'S DESIRE FOR REDUCTION - 4
LIVELY TIME IN THE CoMMITTEE-LoRIL-
! LARD's VIEWS ON VIRGINIA MERCHANTS AND
MANUFACTURERs---AL LONG AND INTERESTING
DISCUSSION oNTHE QUESTION, &C. I,s::.5 0
| i [From Our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, January 19.-Mr. Seidler,
OF the firm of P. LorillaTd & Co., tobacco
monopoists Of New York, this morning ap-
peared before the Sub Committee Of Ways
and Means. Messrs. Tucker and Burchard,
accompanied by delegation like himself,
opposed to reduction OF the tobacco tax.
If the reductionists had desired more
weight and testimony in behalf Of their
cause they could not have furnished any
thing more potent than the exhibit made by
Mr.. Lorllard's talking partner. All OF the
friends of reduction were present, as were
Messrs. Withers, Cabell, and Douglass, OF
the Virginia congressional delegation.
Mr. Seidler commenced by saying he was
opposed to a reduction because it would
iniure the trade of his;firm, which, at great
expense and trouble, has extended it's bust
ness operations as far west as Oregon, and
to South America and Europe. Their or
ders for tobacco fell off in December from
100000 pounds to 100000, and compelled
| the discharge of $500 operatives. His tax
is $4,000, 600 annually. The wages Of these
laborers is small; they have saved nothing,
and are clamorous for employment. In
January, instead Of $4,000 pounds day, he
could report only 5000 pounds. Not only
are the operatives thrown out Of work, but
the Lorillard's trade relations, established
after years Of labor and expense, are
threatened with ruin. The western job
bers, who were profitable customers, are
afraid to buy Of his firm in large quantities,
and buy in small quantities Of western man.
ufacturers. Then when they become ac-
customed to buying of Jones & Smith out
West, when trade relations are resumed
they will not return to his firm in New
York, provided the western tobacco is rea-
sonably good.
HIS SURPRISE AT VIRGINIA.
He was surprised that Virginia, which
hasa western trade, asked for reduction,
when it will take Congress at least three
months to make any change in the present
law. The firms OF Venable s. Co. and Jack
son g. Co., OF Petersburg, were far-seeing
enough to oppose reduction, and he be-
lieved Mr.. Pace, Of Richmond. was of that
way Of thinking, but he. could not speak
certainly rs to him. .z =. @ -:
Mr.. Burchard (of the committee): This
will apply to all legislaJlon. Congress call
not make revenue changes without affecting
business. While we personally sympathize
with you, all we want now to know is
what effect the proposed change will have
on the general good. - -,
WE ARE PUMPING FOR. JONES.
MIR. Seidler: We are pumping for Jones.
All merchandise is based upon sel6shness,
| and every man here in regard to this busi-
| ness has an axe to grind. Mr.. Seidler, who
is not success as an anecdoter, told the
story OF pumping for Jones, much to the
disgust Of Mr.. Burchard, who deals in
figures, and wouldn't laugh at Scion Single.
Mr.. Tucker enjoyed the righteousness of
| the situation.
Mr.. Burchard: The reason we required
delegates to submit their views in writing
to the Committee OF Ways and Means was
because
HE BECOMES SERIOUS.
Mr.. Seidlg Gnterruptingl: We oppose it
because it ruins dealers and iniuressplant-
ers. The price of leaf is governed by the
supply and demand, and not by the tax, as
has been asserted. In 1860 leaf reached its
lowest figure in New York. Rich Virginia
leaf, such as we would like to get now, sold
for four:cents per pound. In 1853 the price
was high because New York was cut of
from O southern supply. In 1874 western
tobacco reached its highest point because
the crop was the smallest known in late
years. Lugs went up to eleven dollars. In
1876 and 1877 it continued to fall, until in
1878 the prices are the lowest since 1880.
In the West Tugs are two and a half cents.
and in New York three cents. Why! Simply
because the crop Of 1877 was the largest
grown in the United States. Foreign ports
are full, and there is financial depression
everywhere.
| NOT AFFECTED BY CONSUMPTION.
He contended that the price is not affected
by consumption. because the consumption
OF tobacco, as shown By his researches into
the statistics furnished by patent-ofice re.
ports, agricultural reports, and census re-
ports, show that for every man, woman,
and child in the United States there is an
nually consumed three pounds and three
and a third ounces. This only includes
hogshead tobacco. He made his estimates
from reports as far back as 1914.
Mr. Burchard: The agricultural reports
were only commenced in 1848. Please give
me reference to your authorities.
Mr.. Solder: Last year 100, 000, 900 pounds
of tobacco were consumed, and there are
100000 consumers Of tobacco, including
those who chew, smoke, and snuff. Fifteen
pounds is the average per capita. Accord.
ing TO my figures, $500 is the tax imposed
per, head for chewing. He then Went on
with an estimate OF how much more Eng
land, France, Spain. Italy, and Austris
charge their subjects fer this luxury thar
American citizens are called upon to pay
for it. S.. 81 Il I, sssT. 81 55..
Here Mr.. Burchard got very uneasy, ane
looked us II he meant TO say, oh, give mi
some facts as to the question, and let Euro
pean nations alone. But Mr.. Lorillard'i
partner seemed determined TO have his say