The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-03-12
vhs wrong~ or Tobacco-Pianfers.
CLOVER DEror, VA, March O, 1882.

GLOVER DEfOI, v&st NntSh w 49,
To the Editor Of the Dispatch
I notice the "tobacco tax" Is again
subject Of discussion. Manufacturers seem
20 be Mortified ut the idea Of "agitation.'
II they had their "n0scs on the grind
stoue,1 they. too, would agitaie. In the
first place, our labor l. taken from us by
the railroads, our pockets arc emptied by
the heaviiy-taxcd fcrtilizing companies,
and after we struggle through year, make
a crop OF tobacco with our own hands ana
such poor labor rs we can pick up, We arc
denied the privilege OF selling 1t TO any but
a manufacturer or licensed dealer. Is
there any other product OF the soil on
Garth that the producers are forbidden
10 sell to consumers or spectators
The western farmer sells his grain
10 djstAleis and stock-gamblers ana
TO the consumers alike, the southern
planter his cotton to any one VINO
chooses TO buy. We poor tobacco-farmers
have TO sell TO dealers who are licensed TO
buy, and 10 no others. We are forced TO
haul il to some market, along bad roads, To
encounter pinhookcrs, pickpockets, cow
catchers, and fertilizing agents, or do
worse--scud il 10 some commission mer-
chant, who will have to put "P" on IT ut
our cxpcpse, and afterwards pay rcclaims
for that Privilege, IL the tobacco docs not
stand the storms Of the sea. II merchants
and spectators were allowed to buy our
tobacco, il would help some. They say
they have to pay S2j for stamp, and then
keep book recording the coming and go
ing OF every pound. and II he docs not
keep this book exactly correct according to
the notion OF the revenue officer, he will
be dragged before some United States court
and made TO shell OIL, 800 to $500.
We ask to be allowed to sell to our labor
ers, our nefghbors, distant friends, railroad
hands, or TO any one who wishes TO buy
leaf tobacco, in any quantity, just as we
sell grain, butter, potatoes, DC. Then You
will see the manufacturer join with us and
send petitions to our lawmakers to take OFF
this burdensomc tax. and not until then.
The poor and labOring class Use most to-
bacco. They are compelled to use this
manufactured article-all deGled with glu-
cose. salt, copperas, minerals OF weight, and
poisonous drugs-and for That blessed pri-
vilege they must pay the Government l6
cents per pound, and TO the manufacturer
and jobber from 80 to 100 per cent. profit
on this Is cents. notice here in our shops
manufactured tobacco is sold every day put
up in New York and New Jersey from 60
to 125 cents per pound, and we would be
glad TO get 10 cents for q much better ar
ticle. We nre applied to every day to sell
few pounds OF our tobacco at good prices.
Our farmers give II to their laborers and
friends. They dare not accept one cent for
it. We see no Use sending petitions. Our
representatives know our wants. They
talked beautifully to us before they were
elected, but now they are so busy "gerry-
Wandering" and squabbling over Judge
ships--prcparing their records-fddling
while our poor noses are ground away by
this unjust law. The Dispatch is on the
right track. notice all you say about it.
But you did not start at the right place.
Remove these abominable prohibition laws,
get our honorable representatives to think
about our condition, and let us sell our to-
bscco to whom we choose, and in any guam
tity we choose. Did you ever chew any
old Virginia homespun, in twist, sun
cured, and every leaf brushedf That is
the kind l have in my mouth now, and l
want every body to enjoy it as do. Then
there would not be so much dyspe Dsia,
Bright's disease. and diseases Of the heart
and head. Yours, truly, JOIN SMITH.
[The Dispatch has for ten years advo-
Gated the total abolition OF the internal
system.l