The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-03-11
Tobacco Questions.
DANvILLE, Va, March s. Is


To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
Your paper of the Sd instant contained a
letter signed "II.," on the repeal Of the
tobacco tax, which calls for some notice
from me. as the writer takes issue with
views expressed by me in former letter.
"H." loses sight Of the fact that am az
heartily in favor Of abolishing the tobacco
tax as he is, and have to say the rep
rescntative from this district in Congress is
doing more in the interest of reduction or
abolition OF this tax than any other men,
Der from Virginia. The tax is certainly
an unjust one, and doubtless affects the
price of all leaf tobacco which enters into
domestic consumption, and incidentally
such leaf rs is shipped abroad, which is
yet suitable for domestic use. Further
more, as long as the tax continues, inter-
ested parties can begin an agitation for the
very purpose OF depressing the leaf mar
ket So let ii be abolished by all means,
but don't delude the growers Of shipping
tobacco by making them expect relief from
a measure which viii give them none. No
tobacco is taxed except suchas is consumed
in the United States, and how the tax affects
the price OF that class Of tobaccOs utterly
unsuited to the domestic taste cannot see.
CHS" argument amounts TO this /:
''The culture OF shipping tobacco paid
before the war, when there was no tax,
and does not pay now when there is Q tax.
Therefore, the tax is the cause OF the I'M
proftablencSs." III the tax does not render
improbable the culture OF such tobacco
as is used at home (all of which it reachesl,
why should il have this effect on that raised
for export, which it does not reachy
But" says "H." "some of the dark
heavy tobaccos Of the Southsde do enter
into domestic use." Ii is true that some
OF the common grades are used by the
manufacturers OF Lynchburg and Liberty
in making the lowest and cheapest grade
Of plug tobacco; but they only use it be-
cause it is cheap. ii they could find any,
thing cheaper, they would use it instead.
With this exception, the product OF the
whole dark tobacco region south Of James
river goes abroad either as leaf or manu-
featured, and pays no tax.
In Petersburg we have the largest to-
bacco factories in the State. Some of them
work almost exclusively for export, and
use dark Virginia leaf; Others work mostly
for the domestic trade and Use western to-
bacco. Why this di0erencey "H.v seems
to take dark Virginia tobacco, strong in IT.
self, and strengthened further by hard
hring, as the standard OF excellence. OF
which all other tobaccos are but limitations
or substitutes. Where is the profit of using
White Burnley at $40 per hundred-weight,
instead OF Virginia leaf ut 81. 1t is true
that the Burley absorbs a large amount OF
sweetening, and its weight Is thereby great.
ly increased; but the sweetening costs
more than Virginia leaf, and in the manu-. I
featured article Is taxed as much as the to- !
bacco. The absorbent power OF the Burey |
recommends it rs highly TO the foreign az
to the domestic consumer; but the price Of |
the Burnley is too high for the foreigner, so
he contents himself with something cheap
er, and something i'm which he can have a
hand in fixing the price.
1t Is as reasonable TO suppose that those
who now drink beer would all go to pure
the tax on the latter being re-
moved, as to suppose that the chewer OF
ne mild Burnley would chew Virginia leaf
the tobacco tax were removed. "H."
ails to see that the popular taste has
hanged In tobacco. The foreigner only
lses Virginia leaf because OF its cheapness
nd his ignorance OF anything better.
Burnley tobacco and bright tobacco are
most. exclusively used in the United
tates and Canada, and their use is extcnd-
~ abroad, and ! believe IL they sold as