The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-31
AN UNNECESSARY BURDEN.
Protesting Against Congressional In
reference With a Great Product.

nv u goiut iictIilp Vi tle mcIClluiltS
and Cotton exchanges yesterday, the fol-
lowing preamble and resolutions were
adopted:
Whereas, Sundry bills have been intro
duced into the Congress Of the United
States, now in session, the object OF which
is to tax and render subject to inspection,
lard when mixed with cotton seed oil or
other products OF cotton seed; and
Whereas, By such legislation, an odious
and unnecessary burden is sought TO be
imposed on product, which is among the
chief articles OF the cotton planting dis
tricts OF the United States, and in the man
ufacture of which, all the merchants, farm
ers, manufacturers and laborers OF the
southern States are vitality interested; and
Whereas, The tax so sought to be levied
is unnecessary, and not needed or required
by the national government, we regard
and declare 1t 10 be offered in the interest
OF particular individuals and communities,
for their immediate private profit TO the in
| jury, loss, damage and humiliation OF the
people OF the southern States, and which
will be manifest when il is considered and
understood that cotton seed is one-fiith in
value OF tho entire cotton crop OF the
planters OF the south, and affords labor for
numerous oil-mills located in many towns,
which employ armies of men and dlstrlb-
ute for commercial purposes products
which yield millions Of dollars Tor the
benefit OF the whole country; and
Whereas, II has been circulatedas an eN-
cuse for the passage Of the bills in question
| that the mixture OF lard with cotton seed oil
deterioates the former article, and that n
tax on compounds OF the two will bene-
! fit the consumers OF lard, We do de-
clare the assertion untrue, and state
that cotton seed oil for food purposes is
superior 10 lard, which fact is established
by the researches and publicly expressed
opinions OF chemists, scientists, physicians
and persons devoted TO the advancement
OF the health OF the human family; and
Whereas, The imposition Of tho tax in
question will practically destroy the man
uiaCturo OF cotton seed oil and render the
mills in which millions of dollars OF the
hard earnings OF the entire country are in
vested, worthless, throw out OF employ.
ment thousands OF poor operatives and
laborers, deprive cotton planters OF the
means Of utilizing cotton seed and enjoy
ing the profits OF a large part Of their toll,
and drive from the markets OF the world
one Of our chief products;
Resolved, That We earnestly appeal &c
the members OF the Congress OF the United
States TO defeat all measures or proposed
laws under which, in any manner or tC
any extent, lard or any other substance
mixed with cotton seed oil will be liable
10 taxation or in any wise subject 10 In
spection.
Resolved, That we do most solemnll
protest against the imposition OF any ta'
on any compound Of cotton seed oil as
blow ut our chief industry, and dcstructiv,
OF the highest interests OF all our people 10
the benefit OF few who, through selfsl
motives, have arrayed themselves agains
US.
Resolved, That q copy Of these proceed
ings be furnished to all OF the members O
, the Congress OF the United States, an,
! that the Hon. J. w. Clapp and Mr.
W. H. Mallory be requested 4
90 at once 10 Washington Cit!
as our representatives 10 present these res
, olutions 10 the committees Of the Scnat
and House OF Representatives having tn
| legislation in question before them, and
use all proper and honorable efforts TO pre-
vent the iniliction Of the great wrongs wit
which we are threatened.
For the Memphis Merchants exchange
J. II. MARTIN, President
: T.. A.. KEELING, Secretary.
! For the Memphis Cotton exchange,
! l.. Il. SuGGs, President
/ lIENRY lIoTrIR, Secretary.
The following petition Is being circulate
, for signen, TO give the foregoing rcsolu
I tons greater weight
m q a
I. scniali,cs Of the Congress Of the United States
4 We, the undersigned citizens Of Tcnnei
% see, respectfully memorable your homo
able bodies 10 defeat the passage OF III
, various bills whereby II Is proposed 10 "a
! and make subject 10 inspection, all con
o | pounds 0i Lard with cotton seed oil. b,
q cause the measure will destroy oil cotiO
Y seed industries and cause incalcuable To-
4 to all the cotton planting States In I'll
!. Union. The bills are being assiduousl
r pressed by persons whose direct interest
= i 10 destroy the manufacture OF produc
!, from cotton seed, 80 that hog lard, in III
\ sale OF which they are engaged, may la,
r no competition in our markets, and thl
h they may reap large profits 10 the loss an
In ifnpamblc injury OF others. There are
n operation ia thc southern States, at diilc
II ent points, numcruvs cotton seed Oil-mill
o In which the people oi the entire natio
n have invested vast sums Of money, M
!, which employ large number OF opcr
y tiyos. and which by the passage oi any
!. said bills, will bc stopped aud all inycs
u mcnts therein will be- lost TO the inycsi0
Y and the laborcrs thereof will be throw
ir out ci employment. In addition 10 tai
u the planters Of the south will have !
&. market Tor cotton seed, which b now
:. ( source 81 profit to them, and will be u
u priycd oi ono-fiih the revenue OF thc ri
N tire cotton crop. The charge which d
IN been made that the mixture Of cotton ~,
pr with Lard Is injurious u untrue. The IN
n Is VIGOROUSLY recognized that cotton ~
"a. i superior 10 lard and that the latter
r. always improved by being mixed with q
is former, aud which is nttcstcd by oil seize
Il. fists. who have invariably repealed all !
O. tacks made ON cotton seed oil ~ a 10
w substance We up convinced that
IA proposed Congressional lcgislaiions
rs taxing larl or any other substance col
n pounded with any 81 the products 81 g
n ton seed u intended for the benefit
Is individuals IN one part Of the Union
70 the damage Of another, policy In viii
m no member Of Congress can justly Gomez
n when he considers that all laws should
III made for the good Of the whole country,
a
ur IToId Sou Va.
Mr.. r. A. Ireland, Of Brccn, Phillips
q. Co, Nashville Tenn, says u was afliol