The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-05-20
WASHINGTON NEWS.
Discussion onthe Tobacco Tax Feature Of
Tariff Bill.

WASHINGTON, May l9.-lSpecial.l- 1T
was not until half past o'clock this after
noon that the tobacco schedule OF tho
Mckinley bill was reached. The DEBATE
was opened by Mr. Turner, of Georgia, VINO
was. As a special act OF courtesy, allowed
thirty minutes. Ailer lead ore had been
disposed OF, the tobacco subject was taken
up, the pending question being w. Tuck
ers amendment 10 repeal the tax, together
with the proposition Of Henderson, OF Iowa,
10 leave the tax rs II now exists.
HARDSHIP OF FARMERS.
MIR. Turner began by speaking Of the sur
plus and crticislng the Mckinley bill. He
described the depression among farmers and
the hardships they are enduring. Now, he
said, the farmers are clam0rlng here for re-
lief They have appealed daily 10 the Ways
aud Means Committee. lie hoped the time
would never come when his constituents
would surrender to the party now IN power
control OF the cotton crop. The Republican
party had so administered the govern
mcut as 10 build up and foster trusts
and combines. Instead Of the farmers
asking loans nom the government
they should insist upon the govern
ment taking its hands out or their
pockets. Why did not the gentlemen who
! favored a bounty ON sugar also 0fer boun-
ty ON cotton and corn aud wheat. The rea-
/ son was obvious. That bounty would az
ford substantial relief to the farmers and
! the Republicans do not intend 10 grant any
such relief. 4lr. Turner lauded Butter
WOrlh's speech, but said il had not been
printed accurately. Butterworth had de-
lined the parties made rich by protection as
lleas on the body polite, but in the published
speech that instructive smile had been
omitted.
Mr.. Turner pointed out the heavy burden
the proposed tax on sulphuric acid would
impose on the cotton planters in addition 10
taxes now existing. The cotton bagging ~
taxed: the ties are taxed and now the tax
proposed on sulpburlc acid will increase
the cost of fertilizers by $3.50 per ton. That
would take from the planters oi Georgia
| $500. 600. nearly half AS much rs tho
state taxes. The additional burden ON
the people of his county alone would
amount 10 $1,000. Mr.. Turner denounced
the bill in very severe terms.
Representative McClammy, Of North
Carolina. spoke especially for the farmers.
He created some amusement by referring to
the many pretcXts daily set up on tine noor
for the farmers. The farmers are not all
FOOLS. They know that their sub-treasury
bill sleeps in the same committees
that brought forth this tariff bill. He
charged that every southern product
! SUBJECTED 10 competition NtS ptd'su ou ts'
free list, and he denounced the Mckinley
I bill as an outrage upon the south.
THE TOBACCO TAX.
Mr.. Henderson, of North Carolina, called
attention to the fact that the Republican
National platform Of 1888 pledged the repeal
OF the internal revenue tax. That pledge
was used In North Carolina aud wherever
else II could be made available 70 win votes
for Republican candidates. MIR. hender-
son asserted that the reduction or tho
tobaccco tax from eight 10 four cents
would satisfy nobody, nor had II been
asked for by The producers OF tobacco. MI.
Henderson referred 10 his effort 60 repeal
THE tobacco tax in the 9Th Congress. lie
moved 10 pass repeal bill under suspen-
sion of the rules. The bill failed, receiving
! 1879 votes 70 ll2 against II, not two-thirds.
The Affirmative vote was made up OF I'D
Democrats and nine Republicans, and tho
negative Of lO7 Republicans and i've Demo-
Gratis.
Representative Tucker spoke In favor or
entire repeal. He would not vote for any
bill which, like the present one, proposed TO
place heavy taxation on the necessaries VI
life and bear lightly on the luxuries.
MIR. Henderson, OF Iowa, spoke In favor
OF his amendment TO retain the duty on To-
baccO as il now exists under the law.