The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-05-13
The LeaCTobacco Trade OF Richmond.

| We nave II punt ~ AHi
| leaf trade is concerned, that requires de-
liberate reflection and wise action TO restore
all that we have lost.
For several years past our tobacco bro
kers and buyers have seen orders from
Canada and the distant markets OF the
United states pass them by, and concen-
tratc at DanyiIle and other inland markets.
In conversation with a large Canadian
buver some time ago we asked him "why
il was that he was willing to spend months
OF labor and time at the inland markets
when he could by waiting until the tobacco
was ordered and concentrated at Richmond
or Petersburg make his selections at
leisure? His reply was. "Wc wish to
buy from first hands, and wish TO see what
we buy"
What could we say to this reply: SIM
ply nothing. for when a man buys tobacco
in Richmond lie sees only sample OF what
he buys, and he in only few cases reaches
first hands.
Most Of the tobacco marketed in Rich
mond, especially from the bright sections
Of Virginia and North Carolina, is bought
on the loose floor in the interior market, re-
handled at the factory, and then shipped to
some merchant for gale. This, Of course,
makes the greater portion OF the leaf to-
bacco sold i'm Richmond an article coming
from second hands, and we have lost the
bulk of our planters trade, which was at
one time such an important item in our
business.
Some time last fall our Tobacco Trade,
feeling this loss, and also feeling it necesSc-
Nv to take some step towards restoring TO
us this trade from first hands, resolved TO
Ixr Il t1to - nj
tobacco sales. They therefore established
a city inspectorship, the inspector to be
chosen by the Trade. The election resulted
i'm the choice of General PeytOn Wise as
City Inspector, who is q bonded officer and
responsible for the action of any deputy.
80 far this is all well. but It has not ac-
complished, nor will it accomplish, what
was promised us by the Trade. We were
promised that this new system would
bring large orders to Richmond that had
hitherto gone to the interior, and we were
to see a new impetus givento our leaf trade.
The writer cOnfesses that ne is not at all
disappointed that such has not been the
result, nor does he lay the blame at the
door of the city inspectorship. Sanguine
people were only expecting too much Of
one half OF "a system, while knowing ones
knew that what was promised would not,
TO use q miners expression, "pan out"
At the time that the election for City In
spector was held there was also a PROPOSE
ton before the Trade to return to the old
system, so successful in all the western
markets, OF selling over the package. This
proposition, which to the writer seemed
the only solution Of our difficulty, was
promptly voted down, and the election OF
City Inspector left the Trade in direct
conflict with the state in regard to samples
OF tobacco drawn in Public warehouse,
owned and operated as the property OF the
State. Ii was this more than anything else
that brought the question OF legislation
upon our tobacco laws so prominently before
our last Legislature, and disguise it as we
navy this conflict has yet to be settled,
whatever the writer or others may think as
to the propriety OF the States owning or
operating property in competition with
her citizens.
Now the question j., "What shall we do
TO restore harmony in the trade and bring
back mt least fair share Of the business
from first handsI"
TO the writer it seems clear that what
we should do is to give the whole western
scheme fair trial, and in addition TO the
City Inspector let Us return TO sales over
the package.
When tobacco is sold in presence Of The
article there is 4 stimulus offered to the
planter to put forth his best efforts in man
agement, and he gets due credit therefor.
Those who are careless in management or
sell early in the season get some cOmpensa-
ton in the fact that ncwly-curcd tobacco
viii yield them more in pounds ii they get
less in price. Here comes i'll an oppOrtu-
nifty for skill in rehandling, and had we
only more tobacco offered for sale in Rich
mond in the winter and spring we would
see more reprizing factories. and we would
have concentrated here large orders from
England, Germany, Canada, and the
United States that now have to be filled in
the interior markets.
The adoption OF the western system OF
sales over the package would put an end to
the conflict between the State and our
tobacco trade, and would, in my judgment,
be great advantage to our tobacco trade,
and give us the impetus we so much need.
RichmOnd, May 3. TOBACCO