The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-08-10
penublioan VS.. Democrat.

n the plantcrs and manufacturers OF to-
bacco In Virginia desire the total abolition
OF the tax on tobacco they should vote
with the party majority OF whose repre-
sen,atiyes in Congress have always voted
10 reduce that tax, and against the party a
majority Of whose representatives in Con-
prcss have always voted against the redue-
t,on Of that tax. We have few more
words 10 say on that subject. Everybody
knows that the Republicans as party are
in favor of the continuance OF the INTERNAL
taxes. whilst the Democrats as party are
onposed 10 the continuance oil those
tayes. II Is but natural that it should
be 50. seeing that the sixteen south
en Saskatchewan, Maryland. Vir-
gina. West Virginia, North Carolina,
South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama,
Louisiana. Mississippi, Tennessee, Ken
tuckv. Arkansas, Texas, and Missouri
are all Democratic. Their representatives
naturally stand by the old Jeficrsonian
Democracy aud Commonwealth OF Viz
ginia, and sympathize with her on account
OF the burthens which New England selfish
ness and cupidlty have imposed upon her.
ON the other hand, the New England
States bave no sympathy with Virginia on
account OF the heavy burthens which I'M
lust laws pile upon her shoulders, ana
therefore the representatives from that sec
ton nav be expected TO vote always against
Of ha toN on fnhQer0- These
New England States have such IN i'm
mcnse influence In Republican National
Conventions, compared with the influence
OF The delegates sent up from the southern
States. that even il the latter are opposed
10 the tax it is almost certain that the next
Republican platform will contain plank
designed TO uphold the internal-revenue
systom. We need hope for no help from
the Republican party as an organization,
in our earnest and determined efforts to
throw of tax which no product Of the
soil except tobacco is made to pay towards
the support OF the National Government.
II is no answer TO these facts to reply
that General MALONE, or any other Vir-
ginia ARTHUE-Republican, would vote to
abolish the tax on tobacco. The man
whom his party would elect President Of
the United States would be elected upon q
platform requiring him to veto any bill
which might be passed by Congress to
abolish the internal-revenue system. III
Virginia shall elect this fall the, candidates
FL. -l,n it,tfo no 4 mi fro.
tion-Rcpublican party in Virginia, and
give them the control OF her Legislature,
she might as well abandon all hope OF get
ting rid Of the tobacco tax. II not abOl-
ished within the next two years, it will
probably never be abolished. II the peo-
pie decide next year TO continue in power
the Republican party, they will at the same
time virtually decide to continue in force
the internal-reyenue laws.
The tax upon tobacco is not only annoy
in, unnecessary, yeXatious, oppressive,
and inquisitorial, but it operates cessa-
ton OF the business Of manufacturing just
as regularly and frequently as Congress
meets. For it is impossible when that
body is in session to prevent agitation OF
the subject OF the repeal of the law which
imposes that tax. Members who regard
the law as laying unjust and unfair bur-
thens upon their constituents cannot be
prevented from doing all that lies within
their power to relieve those constituents
OF those burthens. They know that
so long as the tax shall exist there
must and will he attempts made
to abolish 1t, and consequently that there
is no other way in which their constituents
can be enabled TO run their factories all the
year round and without fear Of congress
sional action than by securing the aboli-
ton OF that tax. No such law ought to be
permitted to remain upon the statute-book.
What would merchant, or cotton or IRON
manufacturer, or a man engaged in any
other business, think and say OF law
which should force him to shut up his
store. shop. or factory for several months
every year?
Now recollect that the voters Of Virginia
may this fall decide the fate of the tobacco
tax. II. as General MALONE has said the
result Of the presidential election next year
may turn upon the result in three counties
in Virginia this year, then you may be sure
that the fate OF the tobacco-tax may turn
upon the result OF the elections for mem
bers OF the Virginia General Assembly neX
November. For, as we have said. II thu
Republicans elect President and Congress
in 1884 the tobacco-tax may be set down N
permanent one. 1t will be regarded as
tax which the people endorsed in votin,
for a Republican President of the Unite,
States.