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

cause no article, except distilled and fer
ineDted spirits, can rs well stand a tax as
Tobacco. The, tobacco-mcn propose to make
up the deficiency which the passage OF this
bin viii occasion by m income tax. MIR.
Anthony said this he regarded as q most
infamous and oppressive tax. s si.$.
MR.. sAyARp POSTPONED HIS ANSWER TO THESE
Fsi!3 sfl 81 SPEECHES,
and called for vote on the amendments,
saying at the proper time he would give the
reasons which induced him to 60 FOR a re-
duction Of the tobacco tax. The opponents
OF the bill required him to make q separate
vote on the adoption of each amendment,
although they professed great anxiety to
save time. Every once In awhile Mr. An
thony, with more than usual fire, would
bounce up and object to the mode the COM
mittee adopted In amending the bill.
Mr.. BAYARD REPLIES TO MEssss. MORRILL, AND
ANTHONY.
Mr.. Whytc gave notice that he would Of
fer an amendment that the reduction ofithe
tax shall not go into effect. until July. and
1fr. Kirkwood suggested that under the
committees amendment that cigars would
only be taxed 16c. per pound. Mr.. Morrill,
said that the criticism Of the Senator from
Iowa was proper, and suggested that it
could be easily remedied. At O'Clock pre-
cisely Mr.. Bayard proceeded to give the
reasons that had brought him to the conclu-
sion that it is safer and better for the bust
ness OF the country that the tax on tobacco
should be redaced to Ice. He said that a
question Of such magnitude should not be
discussed in party spirit, and be proceed
ed to discuss it rs statesman. He re-
GREETED the tone of our legislation in
regard to the imposition OF Internal
revenue taxation, and the collection Of
duties under the tariff. 1t seems to be the
object OF Congress to give the mel chants
and manufacturers q moral lesson, while
taking the largest possible amount OF mo-
ney out OF their pockets. In abiding to
passing the correct point in taxation, be
said the last feather breaks the back OF the
camel, but the removal Of the last feather
will not always save the camel. He re-
viewed the history OF the taxation Of to-
bacco, and quoted the judgment OF the Sec
rotary of the Treasury when in the Senate
that twenty cents was the correct point OF
taxation, and that il you passed that you
diminished the revenue. He acknowledged
that he still believed himself that il the tax
had been reduced TO 20c., and the tax on lco-
rice reduced one hall, it would have given
more relief. 10 manufacturers than cents
per pound on tobacco. He abandoned this
position in committee, for reasons which he
stated, and came to the conclusion that re-
duction to IL cents was not too great re-
duction; and in reaching this conclusion he
was governed in great degree by manufac.
turers from every part OF the country, who
were unit in the statement that tobacco is
so low that it cannot stand 24-cent tax.
Here he showed with clearneSs and ability
that il you do not give relief you may break
up the trade ana rip the golden goose. He
did not believe the men who came before the
committee were actuated by the poor motive
OF obtaining reduction OF the tax by false
| hood. Their opinions made grave impress
sion on the committee, and they were hon.
est in them. He quoted from the Commits
sioner OF the Revenue 10 support his posi-
ton that it is owing to the high tax that the
| revenue has been reduced, and made pro-
found impression on all who heard him.
| Mr.. Withers followed Mr.. Bayard, and
| made strong speech. .-'
TUE SPEECH OF SENATOR wITHEES on THE
| ....-s.. TOBACCO TAX ''- -,
Senator Withers commenced by alluding
to the injustice and inequality OF the to-
bacco tax, as presenting the only example
on record where purely agricultural pro-
| duct is made to bear such burden-that
cotton, corn. wheat, oats, lay, and hemp are
exempt, and sugar protected by dlscrimi'
| mating duties; tobacco, the staple crop o.
only few States where soil and climate are
favorable to it's growth, is taxed from 5O(
! TO 900 Der cent. on its value. He would
not, however, dwell on this branch OF the
subject, but consider the question from thu
governmental standpoint, and assume tia
tobacco is to be made to bear the heavies
possible tax compatible with the larSes
| possible revenue. .,
He proceeded to argue that as revenue
measure the tax should be reduced. He as
sumcs that the reduction in tax will be fol
lowed by corresponding increase in pro
duction and consul mption, which will speed
| ily yield to the Government larger revenue
tthan is derived from the high rate OF tas
now imposed. Statistics drawn from thu
official reports OF the Department prove how
invariably reduction from higher to lower
rate hes been followed by increase OF reve
nue.. He showed that the proposed reduc
ton had always been opposed by the Reve
nue. Department, and predictions OF ruinou;
diminution OF the revenue as the conse
quence of reduction had always emanated
| from the Treasury Department, and ii
jeyery single instance results had 3alsifiet
these predictions and vindicated the ludg-
ment OF those who contend ed for reduced
rates. .--....--.-
7 THE CONSUMER AND THE TAX ON TOBACCO.
He then reviewed the arguments OF those
who assert that the consumer pays all the
tax, and that the producer is not at all al,
fectcd by-it. He;admittef that an impost OF
excise tax, il moderate in amount, and levied
on articles OF luxury alone, and in localities
where there is no production: and in Eng,
land, was paid principally by the consumer
but showed that when the rate was bigh,