The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-11-01
THE FEDERAL CAPITAL.
VIRGINIA'S POPULATION NOW
PLACED At I,648,9ll.
More About Tobacco Rebste-Its Omis-
sion Said to be the Result of Conspiracy
Internal Revenue Bureau as Politi-
cal Mschine-Capitsl Notes.


oil.
MORE ABOUT THE TOBACCO REBATE.
When it was discovered that the tobacco
rebate section had been omitted from the
tariff act as approved by the President,
there were whispered suspicious of "fraud."
However, as no motive Of pecuniary gain
could be ascribed, the suspicion took ne
hold upon the public mind. Ii was dis
missed as the creation Of sensationalists.
Lstterly the allegation Of conspiracy has
been revived. based upon combination OF
tobacco manufacturers to maintain the
present prices of manufactured tobacco, and
thus pocket the entire benefit Of the reduc-
tiOn Of two cents per pound after the lst OF
next January.
Ii is alleged that this combine embraces
many Of the leading tobacco manufacturers,
and that notice has been served upon deal
ers that there will be no reduction in the
price of manufactured tobacco from Jan
uary lst until all stock then on hand shall
have been disposed Of.
THE TINES was one OF the very first news
papers to proclaim the omission of the re-
bate section. and il also contained inter
views with some Of the most prominent
members of the conference committee on the
Tariff bill with regard 10 the omission. 10
will be remembered that Representative
Bayne authorized the statement that the
section was Intentionally omitted by the
cOnierees, they having, upon second thought,
deemed il unnecessary, on the ground
that, and by deterring until January
lst the enforcement OF the Internal reye-
nue. provisions Of the act, time would be
allowed to work off stocks on hand. Sem |
tt,. fn.aI
hastened West to Ohio upon adjournment, |
in an interview in the West substantially |
confirmed Mr.. Bayne's statement. ON the |
contrary, Senator Aldrich, who had charge |
Of the Tariff bill and was virtually chair
man of the conference, in an inter |
view with THE TINES correspondent, de-
clared most emphatically that the
omission was an oversight and blunder, |
and that it would certainly be-
upon the reassembling Of
Congress. He was not aware, until ques-
toned by The TINES, that the section had |
been left out. He expressed himself as sur
prised and provoked. He also emphatically |
Mr., Bayne, and said the latter |
was not present m conference when the re-
bate section was adopted and ordered in
serted in the report. Chairman Mckinley |
also believed the section was included.
During the enrolment of the bill the |
chairman OF the House Committee or En- |
rolled Bills and the enrolling clerks were
visited upon at least three different Occa- |
sions and asked if the rebate section had |
been included. Each time the inquiry was
answered in the most positive manner in
the affirmative. The Washington cores
pondent Of the New York Journal of Com
merce, who also represents prominent To-
baccO journal, made particular inquiry as
I.fl IL
were exceedingly anxious 10 obtain prompt /
and accurate information as TO legislation |
tobacco.
Other newspaper correspondents, whose
duty it was TO keep informed as to tobacco,
called at the enrolling room and made the
same inquiry. These inquiries were made /
because OF rumOr circulated about the |
Capitol that the cOnferees had recon-
sdered their action and had determined to |
leave ii out. The first step to trace this
rumOr was boy inquiry at the Senate Finance
Committee room, where the conference had |
held its meetings. There the inquiring cor
were assured that the section
had been adopted, and this was proven
by an exhibition of notes Of the re-
port. Then. 10 make sure that there
was no mistake at the other end OF the Capl-
-Ol the injuries were addressed TO the en-
rolling officers, and as already stated, they
replied to each and every one that the sec
lion was included in the enrolled bills.
These facts caused the suspicion
which arose, but then, as stated,
no motive could be assigned for
any crooked dealing. Now II Is said |
that the scheme was engineered by New |
\ Yorkers, and it is roughly estimated that II
it can be worked to success the combine |
will pocket between $1,000 600 and Si,OO'OOO |
clear profit as the result. Meantime neither
the dealers nor consumers Will get any |
benefit from the two cents per pound de-
luction Of tax until the combine shall have
worked its pleasure and profit.
A POLITICAL MACHINE.
Never before in the history Of this Gov
nrument even under General Grant, has the
Internal Revenue Bureau been so complete
" converted into "a political machine. Com
missioner Mason has practically sus-
pended the regular duties OF the
Bureau, and nearly the entire force
il engaged in active political
work. Everything, probably, pertaining to
the office is behindhand. The necessary
for the changes in the internal
revenue laws 10 90 into effect lder the
new tariff law are all delayed, and persons
seeking information as guides 10 their busi-
ness are put OIL with promises to supply |
il later. Not less than thirteen officials
and employees Of the Revenue Bureau are
scattered through the Second West Nir-
ginia district working against the re-elec-
lion OF Representative Wilson. The Re
publican candidate in that district was
nominated by Mason through the manipu-
atiOns of revenue employees, and now
Mason is endeayOring to elect him by the
same means. Twelve more internal
revenue employees are scattered through |
lther portions OF West Virginia doing po-
tical work.
Should the Democrats carry the next |
House, as now seems certain, Commissioner |
Mason will be oyerhauled by Democratic
committee.
THE sUMATRA TOBACCO CASE.
The argument Of the Sumatra tobacco |
,ase before the Supreme Court was con-
,luded to-day by Assistant AttOrney-Gen-
.ral Maury tor the United states. He con-
ended that the unit was not the bale, but
hat it was the purpose Of Congress TO adopt |
he class OF wrapper tobacco as the
init. and to lay the high duty upon every
Importation of wrapper leaf tobacco that
contained 81 per cent. of tobacco Of the re-
luired size, texture, and weight, whether
led to any other kind of tobacco or not; or,
N other words. that there were only three
kinds Of leaf tobacco known TO the trade
namely, wrappers, binders, and fllers, and
hat the language Of the law referred 10
tobacco only. II, however, the bale
was to be taken as the unit, the assistant At
Orney.General insisted that Congress meant
he bale as made up in >umatra, and not |
he bale repacked in Amsterdam, contain.
ng II per cent. OF tobacco which was not |
tobacco. lie also called attention
% the fact that 10 decide this case in ac-
.ordance with the claims OF the plaintiffs
would involve the repayment of large |
amount 10 importers OF Sumatra tobacco.
Mr.. Choate, for the plaintiffs, replied thar
he only question involved was the right OF !
he importers to have these goods packed go
Is to meet the requirements OF the law and
,Ome within the lower rate Of duty. The |
AMOUNT OF money involved should not be
considered, but the case must be decided |
lpon the law as enacted by Congress, and |
rs though the importation in question COW
,rrd but a single bale.
THE UNITED STATES POPULATION go, iSO, $40.
The Census Office to day announced the
population of the United States as shown
~ the first count OF persons and families,
exclusive OF white persons in the Indian
A IL