Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1882-12-15
THE TAX ON TOBACCO.
Views of Manufae turers and Dealers
"A STEADY and Unffsru Tax Desired
more Than ReDeaI

ed to be tina: the depression in the
trade was greater than it had ever been
in St. Louis since tobacco manufactur-
ing had become a great industry there.
The causes of this depression were
and one reason was given,
viz: The constant agitation in con-
gress of the questions connected with
the tobacco tax. Retail dealers We're
afraid to buy because it was not known
and could not be ascertained when the
tax might be abolished, and the re-
taller who had laid in q stock would
thus be caught with goods on his hands
on which he had paid tax which was
no longer in existence. The real OBJ
ject of the tobacco manufacturers was
simply to prevent the agitation. A
resolution was adopted, that the tax
on tobacco be abolished altogether;
second, the legislation looking TO that
end be enacted SIS soon as possible;
third, that rebate be allowed on all
unbroken packages in the haRds OF
dealers when the law abollshlng the
tax goes into force.
The Cincinnati dealers and manu-
facturers have but one opinion regard
ing the tax question, and that is that
it ought to be settled at the weary ear
Hest possible date. The manner in
which the question is settlea is of sec
Cndary importance. Anything would
be better than the present condition Of
uncertainty. Factories are running on
only part time, and will reduce their
production still further. This has a
demoralizing effect on the market, and
causes hardships to all in any way in
terested in the trade, unless it be the
retailers of manufactured goods. AS
to the manner in which the question
should be settled the trade differs. If
the tax is taken off, the amount of cap
ital to carry ON business will be much
less, but with that advantage canes
the danger that numbers of small man
ufoctories will be started by men who
could not command the required capi-
tai sheuld not the tax be reduced or
abolished. Mr.. F. A. Prague, presi-
dent of the CINCINNATI Tobacco Associ-
alton, says that if the tax is abolished
it ought to be SO arranged as to have
the change take effect at as early a
day as possible. 1t should, however, be
accompanied by a rebate. That il, all
dealers who held stock on which the
tax has been paid should be remuner-
ated to that amount. Some of the
trade feel that fla total abolishmeGt is
not possible at present they are in favor
of a reduction to cents. on tobacco and
cents on cigars.
A Chicago manufacturer, speaking
for his class, says:
"The only thing the manufacturers
of this country desire in regard to taxa
ton is stability. The consum er has to
pay the tax any way. He pays the re-
taller, the retailer pays the wholesale
dealer, and the wholesale dealer pays
the manufacturer, and the manufac-
turer pays the government. So far as
the manufacturer is concerned, it makes
no difference to him what the rate OF
taxation is. The only thing detrimental
to him is talk about taxation. No manu-
facturer cares whether the rate is 16 or
80 cents pound, if congress will only
let the question rest But every time
congress meets some irrepressible mem
Der, to satisfy his constituents, intro
duces bill to change the rate or to
abolish the tax entirely, and from that
moment, dealers supposing they are
going to lose the reduction, trade is
almost paralized until the bill is finally
disposed of or congress adjourns. Even
since 1872 from one to a dozen bills
have been handed in, and every time
the trade has been affected"
"How is it now?"
Totally paralyzed. Every factory is
virtually closed, so far as making goods
is concerned"
ain the event of the tax being reduc-
ed or taken off, who would suffer-"
'The wholesale and retail dealers"
"The manufacturers do not object to
the taxi"
'No. 1t is not burdeusome, and the
restrictions placed upon them by the
treasury department are trivial, il q
person wants to conduct his business
honestly. All the manufacturers wants
is to be let alone-to have agitation
ended. Congress can take the tax off OF
leave it on. Every manufacturer wants
the Is cent rate retained, or to have il
abolished, because, as soon as the next
congress meets, there will be another
howl for reduction or abolition, and
trade be stagnated. We want no reduc-
ton until the tax is entirely removed
Political.
Il hope ] shan't hear any more
about politics for at least another year,
anyway" said Mrs. Breezy, taking up
piece of fancy embroidery from the
table, and settling gracefully in her IA
vorite rocking chair. "You haven't
been fit for a sane person to live with
for at least two months past, and now
as everything has gone your way, as
you say, | hope you are satisfied"
Perfectly" said Mr.. Breezy. "We
didn't want the earth, although we
came within an ace Of getting it," he
continued, glancing down the MAORI
ties-by- table in the evening
paper.
THANK goodness there is only one
election a year." said Mrs. Breezy. Il
really believe you were out of your
head all last week, and you haven't
been much better this week. If our
daughter ever shows any inclination TO
marry a man in politics I'll pack her
off to a convent and keep her there.
I'd rather see her in her grave than the
wife of politician"
''Not SO bad as that, DEAR" said Mr..
Breezy, attempting to add the MAORI
ties of Kings and New York counties
together.
"Well, a woman might better be
dead than go through what have the
last two months" said Mrs. Breezy. 81
really believe you haven't been home
single night before two or three
o'clock in six weeks, Mr.. Breezy, and
and you're always sure to be half seas
over, as your friends call it. It's a
great wonder this election hasn't land
ed you in the inebriate asylum, Mr..
Breezy. | really think if it had kept
up auo her week you would have had
tho jim jams. as you call it. A nice ex-
ample you are setting for your family,
Mr.. Breezy. If your sons land in State
Prison you may just put it down to
politics, and nothing else"
"Don't you think you are drawing a
little bit on your imagination, my
DEAR"
'Imasinationl" cried Mrs. Breezy.
Eyes. if a woman tells the truth her
husband always puts it down to her