Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1889-02-19
The Tobacco Tax.

vl0ed IN opinion as to the pr0pIiety OF
1nki1g of the internal revenue taxes upon
Manufactured tobacco, unaccompanied
~ reduction Of custom duties. The
bul introduced by Mr.. Cowles. which
Wns referred to Mr.. Randall's approprla-
tion committee, will receive o large
Denooratic support; and as it is ex-
yeoeed t6get the nearly solid Republican
Voee, Il b likely to become law.
The Democrats who vote for it, do SO
upon the idea that 1t is better to take
haR loaf rather than get no bread
- Ill. There is general assent that the
2nteEnal revenue taxes upon tobacco, may
yGoperly be taken of, since the govern
1Aent has no use for the money but the
Dsmocratic sentiment generally has been
Mat this reduction should be accompan-
~ BY . reduction In oppressive tariff
duties. This Democratic proposition has
been debated In Congress, and has not
ben unmistskably sustained by the peo.
- q. the polls. Under the circumstances
thare does not seem to be much room
- doubt the wisdo % Of those Democratic
ecugreasren, who propose TO take such
xoduction Of the superabundant revenue
= they can get, though they cannot get
~ they want.
Taxing the tax of manufactured tobacco
Will reduce the revenue some thirty mil
lln0S Of dollars, 1t is estimated and will
mogeover b. . boon to the tobacco manu-.
1Acturing industry in most sections of
the country. In some places, however,
It u likely TO hurt 1t. The large manu-
fActurers in the great cities will be hurt
lh1 the removal Of the tax, Tor the same
reason that small manufacturers through.
out the country, and especially In the
tobacco growing districts, will be helped.
Tho tax has tendency to concentrate
the tobacco manufacture, the business
requiring the capital that is invested in
tho purchase Of stamps and being
hampsred BY the necessary restrictions,
penalties and requirements OF the law.
When the tobacco manufacturer is free
from government burthen and suryeil.
lance, and an yone can step into and out
of the business at pleasure who can com.
mand the money to buy 8 package of the
asaf, We may expect q great increase in
The number and diminution in the size
Cf The packages. The manufacture will
% on In the household; and the large
dealers viii buy the product instead OF
making 1t In their own factories. This
- believe u the general expectation, and
y . strong reason why the large cigar
mauufacturers do not care to see the tax
taken on. Another, and perhaps a
stronger reason, why the large cigar
manufacturer Of the great cities desire
The tax, Is that the consumer is thus
enabled to distinguish the city from the
country made cigar, because box has to
10 stamped wish the name of the district.
This fact, triiing as it is, has 60 far
operated very strongly agsint the country
and in favor Of the city cigarmaker.
There Is nothing more arbitrary than
the matters that govern the sale of
cigars. One would suppose that quality
and price would control it. But this is
not the fact. The city made cigar will
ssl In preference to q better country
made cigar; wrapper Of q certain shade
q color or glossiness or roughness will
make or break the sale. The appearance
OF the cigar, the place Of its make and
the style OF Its package are potential in
~ sale. There ID no accounting for the
tAgte OF the cigar consumer but expert
encs has taught the maker that city
hand u very desirable on his box.
eo the great. New York manufacturers
want . tax even II it is but trile, that
~ may keep their brand. The tobacco
heerests OF the country generally are the
ofhr way. The South wants iss smok.
nnachewingtobaceo manufacture relieved
- al burthen and the agricultural and
manufacturing interest of this section of
Tie country Is the same. Mr.. Randall,s
9urue In pressing the Cowles bill to a
vote Il approved. The opposition Of the
Democratic members, who will not take
eScs tobacco without some other modif-
cation In the tariff, is not sustained.
Ths Republicans In Congress are in
eavor OF free tobacco, doubtless because
y enahles them to keep up the tariff
eutiss. and relieves them largely from
~ responsibility they hare assumed
= reducing the surplus revenue.
3hey arc glad 70 have this hole
Dpened Tor their escape; and there
~ naturally be some Democratic
1teust that Democratic congressam
~ them out. But the better opinion
, thas The Democratic congressmen who
lDaiou their convictions OF what the pub.