Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1884-12-20
Recommending Abolition of the Tobacco
Tar
Western Tobacco journal.


As intimated IN our last Issue, the
President, in his message 10 Con-
gress, recommended the abolition
of the Tobacco and all other internal
taxes, except that on distilled spir-
its. Here are the words in which
he expresses himself regarding this
subject:
I'm my annual message OF 1852,
/ recommended the abolition of all
excise taxes, except those relating
to distilled spirits. The reconmen-
datiOn is now renewed. In case
| these taxes shall be abolished, the
revenues that will still remain to
the government will, in my opin-
ion, not only suffice to meet its rea-
sOnable expenditures, but will
afford surplus large enough to per-
init su,.h tariff reduction as may
seem to be advisable when the re-
suits Of recent revenue laws and
commercial treaties shall have
shown in what quarters these re-
auctions can be most judiciOusly
effected"
The Secretary OF the Treasury in
his annual report also recommends
such abolition, and shows that there
was surplus of over $57 ,O0O, 600
from the ordinary income OF the
Government for the last fiacal year
after all ordinary expenses had
been provided for. It Is readily
seen therefore that the abolition OF
the Tobacco tax would leave quite
a material surplus, which will be
greatly increased In q few years, as
the debt il being constantly reduced,
| aud the interest account lessened,
thus reducing the interes. require
ments of the Government, while
! the custom and other dues and sour
ces of revenue will constantly aug
ment the income of the Govern
ment, and the increase from these
sources will more than provide for
any increase that will naturally be
necessary In the running expenses
of the Government of country
rapidly increasing in population
and in agricultural, commercial and
| industrial resources and wealth.
In the Southern States, which
grow the great bulk of the tobacco,
and manufacture q large proper
ton of the chewing and smoking
tobacco, a decided popular senti-
ment has existed against the reve-
nue. system and particularly as re-
Iating to tobacco, and there Is hard
ly any doubt put what any move
ment made the present session to
abolish the tax on Tobacco, would
receive the hearty support OF nine
tenths of its Congressional Repre-
sentatives, and from the Northern
and Western States quite number
of Representatives could be counted
upon TO lend hearty cooperation,
particularly in States in which agri-
culture is the prime factor to wealth
and production, and especially in
the districts of those States where
leaf tobacco is grown, such as Ohio,
Pennsylvania, New York, COnnec;
tIcut, Massachusetts,, Wisconsin and
New Jersey. 1t is therefore more
than likely il bill can be brought
directly before the House, the pres
ent short session, providing for abc-
lition of all excise revenue except
that raised from distilled spirits, II
will pass, and the recommendation
of the President and Secretary of the
Treasury will have the effect OF in
ducing SPINE Of the more enthusiasts
tic and determined members to
push the matter TO a possible sue
cessful issue at the present session.