Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1878-07-11
Speech O. Esa. I'll !. EsaKis, .. Iaxasisa Of
%ecaccs.

/ Dir. Speaker, the people Of nv State
are deeply interested in this subject Of
taxation upon tobacco. There is no part
Of the Government system Of taxation
that so nearly and directly affects their
interests in this.
From the earliest period Of our CO.
lonial existence down to the present
time tobacco has been the most import
ant and valuable production Of large
portion of our territory, and so it Is OF
large sections Of many other States.
There are large sections OF our lands
where the soil is OF light texture, sre-
cialIy suiting it to the production OF this
8 sTop, but not OF sufficient fertility and
S/Srength TO yield profitable crops OF the
CEREALS. In these sections tobacco is
| and has been for ages the chief paving
product Of the soil. II Is almost the
sole dependence OF the Inhabitants for
support.
SoreIv distressed as are the agricul-
tural interests of the entire country to-
dav, there are none 20 near the verge
! Of utter destruction and despair as the
producers Of tobacco. The prices re-
allied now for the crop do not pay half
the cost Of production. Every gentle
man upon this floor familiar With the
subject can testify TO the truth of this
assertion.
Tobacco is one OF the great special
products OF American soil. It's CultIva-
ton is one of the chef agricultural in
On tries Of our country and affords oc-
cupation and support TO hundreds Of
thousands Of our people, and the Gov
eminent should in no manner obstruCt
its development and prosperity. The
present internal revenue tax imposes n
gricvouS burden upon this interest and
the burden beyond doubt falls in a great
degree upon the producer. believe
no tax Of like proportions can be found
upon our statute books. II is more than
four times the average price that the
farmer realizes for his crop. Such a
tax OF any article is surely enormous
and must affect seriously the pro!"c-
ton, sale and consumption of the arti-
Gle upon which il is imposed. i i
idle 20 contend that the imposition OF
this tax works no injury 10 the grower
Of to5pcco. Such an argument is con-
trarv TO reason and experience. A sore
experience has long since convinced cv-
cry grower that IL does affect his inter
ests. The statistics Of the trade clear
" show that when the tax was lower
than at present the farmer realized about
double the price he gets under The pre-
sent tax. and il is an undenIable fact
that when the tax was raised IN 1873
tfr1ms tweniy In ~tseRtg-fonr cents q
Fp5und the price - the consumer was
not advanced, that il was taken of the
farmer, he getting about that much less
for this crop.
This fact should be a sufficient an
swcr to the argument that the tax falls
entirely upon the consumer and does
not affect the farmer. Facts are stub
born things, and a little experience, es-
Uecially costly experience, Is worth
, more than volumes of theories.
We know that our people are on the
verge of ruin, from the unprecedented
decline in the price Of their crops. We
are convinced that this decline is not
all owing 10 the general depression Of
business, for 1T is greater IN proportion
IN this than IN other agricultural pro-
auctions. The inevitable conclusion Is
that It depends largely upon the enor-
nous tax imposed by the Government.
This heavy taxation not only diminishcs
the price 10 the grower, but also dimin-
i>hes the demand Tor the production.
Suppose a tax of four times IT'S first cost
were imposed upon wheat Does any
one believe for a moment that lis con-
sumption would not be greatly dimin-
ished in consequence OF such tan: VI
then the consumption of an article oil
prime necessity would he diminished
by heavy taxation and increased cost. i
IL not seif-cvident that the consumption
Of an article, not a necessity, would be
diminished in 4 still greater degree
This, / think, is clear to the iceblest un-
dcrsianding.
Increased cost universally tends "a
lessen demand and consumption, nc
matter whether for Injuries or neces-
sites.
The cost Of manufactured tobacco has
been largely increased by the present
tax. The demand for it and the con.
sumption Of il must therefore be dinin.
ishcd by the increased cost. Bat the
largest manufacturers Of the country
have pctitioaed Congress not 10 reduce
the tax.
Why are these gentlemen who claim
SO much consideration from the fact thai
they pay large sums Of money into the
Treasury a anxious 10 retain The tax Al
It's present figure; Simply and cn|y
Tor :he reason that they enjoy a monop.
DIV Of the trade. Men ofIimIted mean,
cannot comply with the provisions o.
the law. hence the manufacturing i,
confined 10 limited few. They csr
thus control the market and do contro
II, both u 10 the price II the raw mate.
rial and the manufactured article. +
there were more manufactures there
would be more competition IN the mar
ket, and If more competition then pro
liability for better prices for the Produ
Ger; thus the reduction Of the tan woulC
Inure 10 the benefit Of the producer b,
increasing the number Of purchasers ano
competition in the market. This i +;
special tax imposed upon 4 special pro
) duction of our soil and aaects beth pro
Queer and consumer. All special take
imposed upon special productions 0
our soil are unjust, unequal and oppres
sive.
A singular anomaly l. presented ii