Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-01-05
sATURDAY. JANUARY 3. 1889.
The Tobacco Tax.

The Roanoke platform OF 1887 de-
nanded the immediate repeal OF the IN
ternal-revenue system, which that plat
form declared 10 be a relic OF the war,
md 70 be no longer necessary to meet
the demands OF the Government. 1t
denounced that system as oppressive, as
fostering monopolies, and as hostile to
the interests OF our people. The Lynch
burg platform denounced the system In
still stronger language.
Whilst tho platforms mentioned gave
quarter to no part Of the internal-revenue
system il is well known that the internal
taxes which are most Objectionable to
our people are the tax upon tobacco and
the tax upon fruit-brandies; aud the
question arises whether the Virginia
Democratic members of Congress ought
TO vote to pass the Senate tariff bill if it
shall contain provision sbolishing the
tax on tobacco. A Washington telegram
in a recent issue OF the New York
Times says:
"Some Of the southern representa-
tiyes and Others who are hoping for some
sort of a Recommendation compromise
at this session of Congress by which the
tobacco tax will be cat in two or repealed
altogether are likely TO be disappointed.
They have met with little encouragement
in seeking TO impress their views upon
the Democratic members of the Ways
and Means Committee, and it IS under
stood that Chairman Mills is very earn
est in his opposition to their scheme. "
Let us say, first OF all. TINT but little
advantage 10 the tobacco manufactu-
rers would result from "cutting in
two" the tobacco tax. What Virginia
and North Carolina need, and what they
would demand il they could enforce
their demand. is the total abolition OF
all taxes upon manufactured tobacco.
AS long as there shall be any tax upon
manufactured tobacco there is going to
be agitation for its abolition and when
ever there shall be agitation on this
subject the tobacco-men will be kept IN
doubt as to whether they ought TO pro-
coed with their work or not.
1t is exceedingly discouraging to Vir-
ginia Democrats to learn that MIR. Mills,
the Democratic chairman OF the Com
mittee Of Ways and Means, is even Gun
derstood 10 be in favor of the perpet-
uation of the tobacco tax. 1t is still
more discouraging to be told that our
congressman in their efforts to get rid of
that tax have met with little encourage
ment from his committee.
We come back, then. to the question
We started out with-namely: Shall Vir-
ginia Democratic congressman vote
against the Senate tariff bill if that bill
shall contain provision abolishing all
taxes upon tobacco, and shall reach the
House OF Representatives in time to be
acted upon by that body2
This would be very important ques-
ton to the Virginia Democratic con
gressmen themselves, and might involve
their continuation in public life if there
we're any probability that such Senate
tariff bill as we have mentioned would
come up in the House IN time to be
passed. The people Of Virginia may
leave the decision OF this question to
their congressman. II we we're one OF
them we should not hesitate moment
10 vote for such bill if We knew that
by so doing We could and would lift this
heavy burthen from the shoulders of the
Commonwealth, especially it, as we were
30 often assured during the late campaign
in Virginia, the MILLS bill makes diff
ference Of only small percentage in the
average customs-duties.