Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1883-01-30
Aa,lcastcr f1ltelltge1lrsr.
TUESDAY EVENING. JAN. 80. 1888.
Uncertain Legislation.

uncertain AeXlSllllOus
1t is fortunate thing for the country
t hat Congress will have to adjourn by
the fourth of March. It would be we'll
if Congress was never permitted to re-
main in session longerthan three months
in any one year. All the legislation the
country needs could be considered in
that time. The country is always easier
and safer when Congress is not in ses-
sion. Just at present it is particularly
uneasy, since many of its most important
interests are awaiting the result OF legis
lation. What hurts our business inter
ests is uncertainty. When Congress de
liberates upon question OF tax or tariil
no fellow can determine what 1t Is going
tn do. So merchants, who will be affected
by the legislation, buy as little as they
can while awaiting congressional action.
The amount of tariff duty would not
he of vital consequence, if its permanent
cy was established. The iron trade, for
instance, can adapt itself to almost any
rate of duty. If it is made 50 low as to
admit English iron at present prices,
the remedy is to reduce the cost OF pro-
duction here. The workman must get
less. the transporters less and the ore and
coal PRODUCERS less. If the duty should
he made higher than it is at present, the
price of iron would not be increased,
since the home competition now fixes ii.
But the uncertainty as to what the
future duty may he leads consumers OF
iron to buy from hand to mouth, fearing
lest prices may be lower.
The tobacco interest is in like manner
in a state of depression, because of the
uncertainty as to the action that will be
taken relative to the tax on cigars, ard
also to some extent in expectation OF
some action as to the importation OF Su-
matra tobacco. The talk about Sumatra
tobacco is, however, a good deal for
effect. This tobacco is largely imported
because it makes good looking and
cheap cigar wrapper. a case of it viii
wrap good many more cigars than VIII
a case of Pennsylvania. But the quail
ity of the tobacco is inferior, and there IS
no danger of it's supplanting the Penn
sylvania growth. The crop packed last
wear in this state was of fine quality,
and will certainly be marketed as soon
rs Congress adjourns. Tie crop grown
this wear is also of excellent quality, al
though in nearly all sections the guam
tity of good leaf has been greatly iimln-
ished hy the cutting of the hail storms
Growers, who Lave good tobacco, need
not apprehend that it will not command
a good price, but they may have to wait
till we get rid of Congress. The cigar
manufacturers, however, seem now tt
be plucking up courage to continue
their business, suSpecting that after al
the tax on cigars is not to be reduced
For several months the cigar production
has been greatly curtailed by the genera
expectation that the tax would be lessen
ed, owing to the redundancy of the rev
enue. But there is no reason for the re
duction of this tax. 1t Is one that i:
riphteously imposed and that the cOui-
try can readily bear. The consumer j:
the Only one interested, and it will moi
not do him any good to give him Z
cheaper cigar. lie will only smoke the
more Of them and hc should nOi
smoke any. Particularly if lie cannot
afford it. 1t is Il source OF great
satisfaction to the good citizen to sec
the tobacco consumer heavily taxed. II
is really delicious to see the man snnk
ing cigar and cIIewinga quid, while
you realize that he is paying an appreci-
able sum towards the expenses of the
government. You feel that if he is hurt
ing himself he is helping his fellows, VIII,
have 10 such small vices, and who enjoy
their citizenship more cheaply by reason
of the folly of ti:Ose who consume to
baccO and whisky.