The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-01-31
The DUTT on TOBACCO.
CASWELL BILL PROVIDING FOR
AN ADVANCE.
But Little Chance for Its Passage
This SessIOn-Ehect OF
Competition.
Ioo,KrspoxpryoE or rHa lPrrAL. /

WAsuIsaToS, January 29.--"It looks
very doubtful whether we can get any
advance in the duty by Sumatra to-
bacco during this Congress, said Rep
resentstiye Caswell OK Wisconsin to-
day. Mr.. Oaswell Is one oil the
staunchest friends Of the tobacco in.
fsrests in the present Congress, and
has introduced bill TO amend the
Inv OF 1888. fixing the duty on Inn
ported tobacco.
"Tbe bill which / have introduced
has for its main object" said Mr.. CAS-
well, correction Of the law 30 as TO
preyent the evasion that Is now being
practiced. The bill does, however.
provide for an increase OF the rate Ct
duty to rs cents per pound. The chief
object is to protect our growers in the
production OF lesf tobacco suitable
for W. apping. Wisconsin, Pennsylya-
nie, New York, Connecticut and o.her
States have reached high standard in
raising wrapper.
"What is the fault with the present
law2" was asked.
The Or .sent law, which was in TACT
aimed at the Suma,ia leaf, levies
duty OF rs cents pound, y 80 per
cent. OF the bale or package Is suitable
for wrappers. II less than 50 cents, is
1T for wrappers, the whole package 10
admitted AT duty OF 50 cents pound.
Importers have, therefore, placed In
each package OF SumatrA leaf just
enough Of lower grade to bring the
whole below the So per cent standard,
thus getting Il through our custom
house for duty OF IS cents on the en-.
tire impoi talon. During the fst al
year ending June 20, 1885, from 6u-
matra, upon which the duty of35 cent?
was oolleI ted, was valued at 80 cents
pound. The number Of pounds was
over 1000, 900, valued NJ over SIS, 000,-
COO. Only 2S,000 pounds paid duty
of rs cen t. q pound, Just cent differ
enoe between the value OF the impor-
taiions paying rs cents duty aud those
paying 80 ceLts.
"The pill which have introduced"
continued Represent iiive Oaswell,
provides for a duty Of 81 pound on
all unstemmed tobacco, II the package
contains 20 per cent. suitable for wrap
pers. A pound Of Sumatra lesf is
worth about four pounds OF our to-
bacco. Eome eastern growers want a
duty Ct 81 80 a pound. but / have no
hope that the tax eau be raised in this
Congress above 81, If we can get any
raise at.sll.
at is clear that large number Of
the Democrats In the House are for
free trade, aud will oppose any meas
ure Sbas has free trade In 1t. There is
every prospect that the present ma
jority In the House will undertake q
general revision OF the tariff aud re-
duCtion. II they do, they will not
allow any measure like the propose d
incrta Of the duty on tobacco 10 paes
alone out OF the committee and
through the House. II they
permit any relief they will tack
the bill 10 the general revision bill and
make the whole stand or fall together.
And when the Republicans unite, ~
they doubtless will, and cast their
vote 81 lid, or nearly solid, against a
general reduction, enough protection
Democrats will doubtless Join Hhep
10 defeat the measure"
as the change from sumatla COM
petition very great2" was asked.
"The importation Of tobacco from
Sumatra this gear will be very large"
replied the Representative. "The
Sumatra tobacco is raised by coolie
labor, and the profits are enormous.
Moreover, a new field for the pfoduc-
ton Of a quality similar 10 the fine
and silky sumatia leaf has 70.
Gently been discovered in that
vicinity, and we may expect In
creased trouble. Unless further
protection for our growers can be &C.
cured, we will be compelled TO sur
render the American lea and raise
nothing but filters, This mans the
surrender OF the entire industry
Committees from six Northern To-
bacco States have been here during
the past week working hard TO get an
incrtale in the tax. II they cannot
get that they will try TO secure cor
Tection of the law with the present
rate"
Petitions signed by thousands o
tobacco growers and cigar-makers II
Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and othel
Safes, are pouring in upon Congress
daily, urging the passage OF Repre-
sentative Caswel,'s bill.