The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1888-07-11
VOL. 6S.
The TOBACCO Tax.


the Mills bill then let the Democrats
Of the House Of Representatives pass
slmple resolution repeating the
tobacco tax, and the sooner they do
it the better. They have the power,
and oil their heads the blame will
rest if the tobacco trade is not re-
lieyed Of the paralysing burden that
is upon it. II cannot be disguised
that the people of the tobacco States
are getting grestiye Petition afterpeti-.
tion from planters and manufacturers
have gone to Congress for relief.
They have seen the business in which
they rely for support reduced to q.
state of prostration, not paying for
the actual cost Of production and
manufacture. They have seen their
soil 90 unrewarded or pay the scan
test and most meagre returns. They.
have seen this in the face OF broken
promises until patience j. thread
bare. There are mnrmurs loud and
deep from the rural districts. There
are mnrmurs loud and deep from the
manufacturers. Factory hands are
withoutenployment and farm hands
are without living wages. Hun
dreds Of thousands Of people are
more or less dependenton tobacco,
either in the field or in the factory,
for their living They see this de-
preston and they attribute to the
! tax. They know that the needs of
the Government do not require that
tax. They know that huge surplusis
piled up IN the treasury, thus Grip
ping trade and commerce. Yet this
blighting tobacco taxa war tax-re-
mains twenty old years after the
war.
Is il strange that there is wide
spread discomfort, and win be
strange If Democrats who have never
wayered before remain from the
polls when the election comes which
is 10 decide the fate Of parties in
Novemhr2 Sick and sore, weary
and worn-smarting under disap-
pointments, straitened and cramped
!. in their pecnniary conditions, viii
1t be strange II party fealiy fails
and faultes? The last feather may
seem light, but Il is that which
breaks the camel's back.
II issimply an outrage that this
tax is kept on a great nut languish-
ing industry. II is simply cruel
because il wrings from the sweat
and toll of honest labor all the pro-
fit there i in il. II is simply stupid
and silly because Il Is alternating
friends. IL the Democratic party
can afford TO do without Virginia
and North Carolina in the coming
election. then let the tax remain
For we tell the representatives 81
the party IL Washington that there
Is grave danger that these States
may slip their moorings and glid,
into the Republican port il aifair'
remain as they ere now. We know
whereof we speak. We know III
deep discomfort that is abroad; an,
we call on the Democrats in Con
grcss TO remove the cause Of Il, o
they may be responsible for defeat
Both wings Of the party are pledge
to repeal. and yet repeal does nc
come. What are pledges wort
that bear no fruit2
Then what 10 do Il simple an
plain. Let the House pass ii
tobacco tax repeal; let II go 10 II
Senate, and il that body refuses
concur In the bill then tie rcspons
bility viii be shifted from tlle Den
ocratic to the Republican shoulder
and The dangers in our path will
removed. We hope these words ms
not be withoht effect wherethey vi
do The most good. Else when Il
too late there may be unayailing /
pinings and reproaches.