The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-12-19
Washington.

rnw.pErgR REPQRT-THE BLAINE COM
ytTrrE-TEE INDIAN APPRoPRIATloS-ThE
LABOR COMMITTEE, &C.
From Our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, December 1S.-The Senate
Finance Committee to-day was again hlied
with the leading tobacco-men OF the coun-
trv, and the manufacturers were unit Ia
favor OF reduction to sixteen cents. Sem
ator Wi,hefs and Mcssrs. Cabe!i and tucker
were in their places, and, ms ON yesterday,
toek part in the proceedings. There was
but one speech made, and that was by Mr..
Charles ScidIer, OF the firm OF I. Lori'iaro
4 Co., and he spoke until the committee
rose. Last year, he said, he opposed re-
duc,ion, but had changed his mind, and
now believed that reduction is proposed
in the House bill was an absolute necessity
10 the manufacturing interests OF the coun-
try. He told The committee OF the dangers
10 his business and the revenue OF the colln.
fry from the free leaf, and asserted that to-
bacco can be grown not only in every
STATE in the Union but in Canada.
On this point he was very interesting, and
the committee paid him marked attention.
In reply to Mr.. Bayard he said, "if you
reduce the tax you render the inducement
TO grow tobacco in patches for neighbor-
hood consumption much less than now"
By way OF illustrating the extent and in
crease OF patch-growing in consequence OF
the high tax, he told of State officials in
North Carolina who purchase fine Pat
rick leaf at Danvllc and use il, and
OF an Illinois judge who grows and
Drepares the tobacco he uses. In
New York he knows farmers who grow
tobacco for their own use, and who supply
their ncigbboTs. They are stimulated TO
this, too, by General Ii Due, who last year,
Mir. Seidler said, supplied enough tobacco.
seed to the people everywhere for years
crop in the tobacco States. He ackrow-
lodged that you can take the little Oronoco
tobacco, the growth Of which is limited,
and rudely prepare it so as to make it
better for chewing than many popular
manufactured brands. Mr.. Dawes asked
il this growing OF free leaf could not
be stopped, and Mr.. Soldier said it might
be 10 great extent by the French system
For instance, il you require planter tc
inform the revenue officer how much TO-
bacco he proposed to grow, and then re.
quirc him TO furnish the names to whom he
afterwards sold it, the evil might be mti-
gated. ....
Mr.. Cabelfs comments on this proposed
outrage upon the tobacco-grower were
couched in strong language.
Mr.. Bayard asked il q man doesn't fire.
qucntly grow much less than he intended.
Senator Withers: Yes; it is the most
plecarious crop we have in Virginia.
FACTS IN REGARD TO TIE TOBACCO QUESTION
In the course OF his remarks Mr.. SedleI
stated that there are 10000 operatives in
the South employed in the manufacture OF
tobacco, and that 100000 people are en-.
gagged in its culture. He drew strong pie
ture OF the suh'erings Of operatives in fac
tories all over the land from the depression
in the trade. He further stated that there
are 100000 tobaccc-io bberS and 100000 to-
bacco-dealcrs in the United States. Ht
reviewed the bill by sections, obiectine
TO some unimportant parts OF it, and it wa!
clause that he exhibited any warm opposi
ton. This, he said, was inserted by Mr.
Hewitt, Of New York, who knew nothin!
about the question, at the instance Of Do
han Il Carroll, the only firm that want
it. Mr.. Tucker here said that i
was rejected by the the Committee of Way
and Means, but inserted after the bill
reached the House, on motion Of Mr.. Hew.
lit. Mr.. Seidler commended the change il
the law proposed by the bill in regard tx
the expectation Of manufactured tobacco
The present system has broken up our eX
portation to Canada and built up immens,
tobacco factories there. 1t costs the shippe
OF 100 pounds from thirteen to fifteen cent:
per pound, and is hedged in with obstruc
tious and annoyauces. He said the plar
proposed in the bin is substantially thu
English system. In conclusion, he told the
committee that the tobacco manufacturer:
now here, while differing as to details, have
n spirit OF compromise agreed to urge
the passage OF the House bill, with the pro
yiSo that it shalt not 60 into effect until after
the 4th OF March. His appeal to the sena
tors in its behalf was strong, and had its
effect. Mr.. Seidler, all agree, made CAPT
tai speech.
DlSc0RDANT BEvY OF PHILADELPHIANs.
There was party OF Philadelphia dealers
at the office Of the Commissioner Of Inter
nal Revenue to-day, who, it is stated, came
here at the invitation of Mr.. Raum to fight
reduction. They have not put in an. ap.
pearance yet at the Senate committee-room
aud would have warm time opposing the
immense delegation in favor OF reduction.
THE PROSPECT OF REDUCTION.
After careful investigation; it looks to-
day to me as II the Senate sin favor OF re-
duciDg the tobacco tax il the committee
will only report the bill, SO that action may
be taken upon IL without further delay.
Democratic senator's who few weeks ago
We're doubtful find now warmly on our
side; aud ascertained last night that u
Republican senator, who is even now
counted against reduction, Is for it. Our
friends are all more hopeful to-day, and it
clear that the LoriIIards believe the bill
VIII pass the Senate. Chairman Morrill, to-
eay again assured Senator Withers that the
committee will report as speedily as posi-.
pe All our friends wish the tobacco bill
was separated from the long revenue bill so
,hat Ihere could be no reasonable pretext
iof uelay Ia reportfno H. -'t.sgs1