The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-06-27
THE CIGAR INDUSTRY.
Important Letter Of sligo Myers to sena
f.r CALI


tor call.
sligo Myers, secretary OF the Modclo Cigar
Manufacturing Company, at Jacksonville
Fla. has addressed the following letter TO
senator Call:
Dear sir,-When the tobacco clause in the
tariff bill Is reached we hope that you will
make all efforts possible 10 defeat its pas
sage. II Is matter which Is Of vital i'm
pOrtanco to your constituents, and we feel
assured that you have the interest Of your
state and the welfare of all her citizens and
their enterprises sufficiently at heart 10
boldly put yourself on record in this imp0r-
rant issue. and show up the folly of the "pro-
tectiOnists' policy"
You are we'll aware that the proposed in
crease In duty on Havana tobacco viii
amount to an almost complete annihilation
OF the cigar industry i'm your State. The
plea OF the Republicans that it Is fOr the
purpose Of protecting the farmers Of the
United States is simply the eileryescence OF
their brains and n bid for the vote Of the
local tobaccO-growers. This is certainly a
case where protection does not protect it
does however, prohibit 1900 manufactu-
rers Of cigars IN the Un-ed States from de-
irving profits which are justly due and be-
long 10 them, and forces our money into the
hands OF the foreign cigar manufacturers.
1t prohibits, also, live millions of smokers
from exercising their choice as 10 the quality
of cigars they prefer. Those who are accus-
toned 10 smoking Hayaua-filed and wrap
ped cigars will, under no circumstances.
descend To the strong rank taste and smell
OF Pennsylvania filled aud wrapped cigar;
they could buy The imported cigar nc less
money than we could afford 10 place Ia
wanna cigars on the market. The tobacco
= 4 81. "
and Wisconsin would 20 down in price in
stead Of advancing because the enormous
rate of 81 per pounO duty on Sumatra would
put The cisars ut too high a price in proper
ton 70 the quality Of the iiller-again pro-
lection will not protect because the crop Of
domestic tobacco neyercontIins sufficient
fine leaf t4-WfI6 the crOp-and again we
would be forced 70 use the imported tobac-
60 rs wrapper; in the last few years the
manufacturers OF domestic tobacco have
come ID the conclusion that rs a rule, the
crops do not contain wrappers no 10 lie used,
and al thst has made domestic tobacco
understandable was the fact that oumatra
could be used to wrap il with.
We again oppose the bill because of it's
impracticabilily and injustice. Thousands
Of bales Of Havana tobacco are annually
! imported to the United States, and there Is
scarcely q bale which does not contain
some wrappers, more or less. lt Is lmprac-
tica!. because every bale will have to be
opened the carrots, or bundles OF tobacco,
spread out and dampened, and the leaves
separately examined, and If there is found
one cigar wrapper the whole bale Will be
dutiable az y per pound. The importers
certainly Will not accept the opinion or de-
cisi0n of novice in a matter Of so great
importance TO them. hence every inspector
must needs be a ''leaf selecter,r 10 not only
Judge Of the quality and texture Of the leaf,
but also as to its cOlOr-fOr no matter il the
leaf IS per Sc a wrapper. still if the color is
varied or teaf The thick it cannot be used 10
wrap cigar,.but must be classed filler.
II is Unjust, because II one or two. or a
dozen leaves out Of one hundred pounds OF
tobacco are suitable rs wrappers. then we
must pay $500 duty instead Of S3j, adding
Sl6J to the cost OF said bale, and in no man.
nerincreasing the merchantable value the
goods. II Will cost the goyernmenment
more than the duties amount 70 strictly en-
force such law.
You can plainly see how a few counties
Of few States where cigar leaf is raised
in this country. like Wisconsin, Ohio. New
York state, Pennsylvania and Connecticut
have the impertiuence 10 dictate TO the
American people what they shall smoke.
The consequence Of s. duty would be 20
drive every small manufactures out OF
business and bring it into the hands Of
few. man Of small means cannot
advance 1910 on a bale Of Sumatra
for duty. and sumatra being selected
in col0rs he needs three bales for an assOTt-
ment We favor the idea, the greatest good
10 the greatest number. The American
smokers cannot and viii not be driven back
10 a clear Pennsylvania or Ohio cigar.
they would sooner resort 10 the pipe. It.
claimed that tobacco farmers are heavily
mOrtga ged, 80 are farmers in States where
no tobacco is grown; we MI have our loads
Of financial obligations TO carry. The
farmers have their notes 10 meet, so have
the cigar manufacturers.
II this mOnstrons measure j. passed, the
loud protests Of the working men Will be
heard stronger than ever before, and desc
late homes will speak volumes in cOndemna-
ton OF this browning Injustice. The votes |
OF those who placed that party in power !
and who promised a revision" of the tariff, |
will silently and swiftly hurl them into OBJ
liyion and political ignOminy, and there |
allow them ample time 10 reflect upon the |
base manner in which they have deceived |
their constituents. and convince them that |
the VIII Of the people is not thas TO be pros
t.tuted 10 the greed Of political ascendency. |
The Florida Times Union, in which this /
letter appeared, comments upon IL cditOr- /
ally thus: Mr.. sligo Myers timely letter to
senator Call which is published elsewhere !
in this issue, presents a most convincing |
argument against the proposed duty on |
Havana tobacco as provided in the tariff /
bill now before the Senate. This protest
should be read by every voter in Florida, /
for it appeals 10 every man who has the /
interest Of the State at heart. The letter
viii be read by millions in the United
states this morning, for in a condensed
form 10 was put upon The Associated Press
wire last night for transmission "0yer all
circuits" II cannot fail 10 have a good ci-
effect, and the people Of Florida are surely
under obligations to Mr. Meyers for the
deep and active interest which be has thus
taken 90 save 10 them one OF their leading
industries. Good work MAY be looked for
from Senator Can, and il is sincerely 10 be
hoped that this infamous clause may be-
Killed dead by the efforts OF the Florida
Senators. At any rate the whole country
shall know the iniquity Of it.