The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-02-18

was relatively higher tax now than was "a
cents when first imposed. Leaf was then B
70 10 cents; consequently 81 cents tax was
about $50 per cent. II, is now worth from
! Alto cents per pound Just half as much;
and IL cents would really bear the same
proportion to, the value OF the leaf tobacco.
The Senator ridiculed the idea that the pro-
posed change would lessen the revenue to
the extent OF eleven million, as estimated
by the Commissioner of Interal Revenue,
and cited estimates TO show that II passed in
the form reported from the committee the
loss to the revenue for the first year would
be less than S2,000,000. with an absolute
certainty that this loss will be made up the
second year.
TWENTY CENTS TOO HIGH A TAX, AND WILL
NOT STOP AGITATION. ~
| He combatted the proposition to fix the
rate at 20 cents on the ground that such tax
was too high, would not prove satisfactory
either to the manufacturers or the growers,
and consequently would not stop agitation,
which is 50 extremely preiudical TO the in
tercsts OF the Government, the dealer, and
the producer Sixteen cents will be accept
! ed by all as permanent adjustment Of con-
| flicting views, win give confidence and sta
biIity to the trade, will lessen the tempta-
ton to fraud, and lessen the use Of the raw
| leaf, which has so rapidly extended under
the stimulus OF high tax. 80 - -
EVERY STATE CAN GROW SOME TOBACCO.
TT uhnx 0f ,uh Ia f0l hn mr.
titably grown as market-crop in n few
States only, yet every State il the Union can
produce it, and, to avoid the burden of the
high tax, little patches are now being Guilt
waited from New England to Florida and
from the Atlantic to the Pacific to furnish
the material for smoking and chewing to
the rural population. This condition Of az
| fairs admits OF but one remedy: reduce the
cost Of the manufactured tobacco to the
consumer and he will cease to cultivate and
use an inferior article.
The Senator also argued that at the time
the 24cent rate was fixed the Government
was paying 5, 81, and 6 per cent. interest
on its bonds; now the debt was being
rapidly converted into per cent. bonds, in
volving of course per cent. less interest,
and iustiiying the reduction in taxation
pro vided by this bill.
THE SPEECH WORTHY OF THE OCCASION.
The speech OF Senator Withers was able
and effective, and showed not only careful
preparation and great deal OF research,
but the deer interest he felt in giving VIr-
gina relief from the crushing weight
| Of an oncrous and oppressive tax on
her great agricultural staple. / would
have been glad If every planter, manu-
facturer, and dealer in the land could
have heard him. for this synopsis gives buI
very imperfect idea OF either the matter OF
bis speech or the forcible manner in which
it was delivered. 1t was worthy in every
way OF the State he represents and the
great cause for which he has labored SO
faithfully. .... ... ....... go.
| ADVOCATES OF REDUCTION.
After Colonel Withers had concluded his
speech Senator Whyte moved May lst as
the time the reduction shall commence.
This was opposed by Messrs. Withcrs,
Ransom, Thurman, and Mcpherson, and
advocated by Messrs. Whyte, Sargent, ALI
son, Eaton, and Dawes, and lost-ayes, 81 :;
noes, Sc.
During the debate Mr.. Thurman said the
reduction to 1G cents is just and reasona-
BILE, and that no other product would stand
the burden now imposed on tobacco.
Mr.. Beck also spoke strongly and ably in
favor OF reduction, showing that it can be
done without creating any deficiency. Mr..
Mcpherson moved to amend by making
the tax on snuff 16 cents instead OF 3
cents, and made lengthy speech in sup
port of it. Mr.. Hereford got the floor, ant
argued in favor OF the bill, showing how
small the internal-revenue tax paid by all
New England is compared with that pat
by Virginia and other tobacco States. He
showed that the reduction OF the tobacco
tax is just, and will not reduce the revenue
At twenty minutes paste the Senate votet
4 against the report Of the committee on to
bacco, which restored the tobacco section i
it came from the House. and fixed the ia,
on snuff at 16 cents. Then it voted to strik
out cigars. So 49,. 81.
THE TAX ON TOBACCO AND SNUFF WERE FIXEl
AT SIXTEEN CENTS,
and there was no change In the present ta2
on cigars. This concluded the tobacco por
ton OF the bill, and the other amendment
did not elicit any considerable discussion
Senator Johnston has paired with Senate
Mitchell, and Senator Edmunds played th
part OF obstructionist again. At haf-pas
10 the Senate voted to tax matches as re
ported by the committee-ayes, 20; noes,
i 10. ."
TAX on TEA AND COFFEE. ....
/ At half-past - O'Clock Stanley Matthew
offered as distinct section tax on teaa
coffee, and discussion arose as to whethe
it was german, it being tariff measure
Z Dir. Garland has raised a question Of orde
in the fourth degree. The Senate has dis
posed of all the committees amendments t
the bill.
THE HOUSE PASSES THE RIVER AND HARB0l
| Bu.L-yIRGINIA GIVES A RELUCTANT YOTl
| FOR IT. .....
| MIR. Reagan, chairman OF the Commerce
! Committee, moved a suspension OF TIT
rules in order to take up and pass the rive.
! aid harbor bill, and the motion being. car
ried-ayes 173, noes 73-the bill was pass
i ed. Virginia gave the bill reluctant sup
port because she has not been Ilberall.
L. Il =