Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-01-23
TAX ON CIGARETTES.
UNJUST DISCRIMINATION IN FAVOR OF
NORTHERN ToBAcco-GRoWERS.
Views of Several Richmond Manufac-
turers Upon the subject-wiii Affect
Virginia and North Carolina.

The letter of the Commissioner OF ln-
ternal Revenue recommending certain
amendments TO the law relating 20 the tax
on tobacco. which Secretary Window has
forwarded 70 Congress with his approval,
is attracting a great deal Of attention,
especially in Virginia aud North Carolina.
II is proposed that on cigars. cheroots.
and cigarettes of all descriptions made OF
tobacco or any substitute therefor, weigh
inc not more than 6ye pounds per thou
sand, the rate shall be 81 per 200; on
cigars, cheroots. and cigarettes OF all ue-
scriptions, weighing not less than nVe
pounds nor more than fifteen pounds. per
thousand, 50 per 1000 shall be the rate,
and upon each additional five pounds or
part thereof, further tax Of 81 per LOCO.
According to this proposition the tax on
cigarettes will be doubled unless the size
OF the cigarettes Is increased iOO per cent.
by the manufacturers.
Several gentlemen who are Interested IN
the cigarette and cheroot business were
seen by Dispatch reporter yesterday ana
asked what they thought of the proposed
bill. With few exceptions they express
ed their disapproval most emphatlcally,
and said they thought il but another OF
the Republican measures which are aimed
TO iniure the South.
ALLEN oINrER.
Two members OF the firm OF Allen & Gintcr
were seen. They said that tho bill was direct
blow at the tobacco-raisers OF virginia ana
North Carolina aud ia favor OF those OF Con-
necticut, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin,, ana OnlO, rs
the farmers OF the latter States would be eolo
to market their crops at 20 cents per pound, as
against the farmers OF virginia AZ So cents.
such Legislation would raise the TAX OF virginia
and North Carolina farmers TO this sum, whiie "
Was now only lb2, cents per pound.
AS mauufacturers,n continued one OF tne
gentlemen, 1--WE sec advantages as well as cis-
advantages in the bill, as wo OF course can after
our prices. but with the farmers who furnish II
20 the consumers 10 Is different as the rRisers ih
northern sections will have the advantage OF
much lower tax, ani consequently Dc eOle 10
market their goods cheaper. Having 10 cnarge
higher price to the consumers. the producers
OF Virginia end North Carolina will DO affected
20 this extent, that their eales Will not 90 as
large as they are at present In other words,
when an article goes up In price the demand OF
the public for It decreases Statistics Will show
that as the different taxes have been lowered on
tobacco a. different times the consumption OF
tho article has been much greater In propo'uon'
CHEAP PRICES SELL.
lyon know yourself that II strawberries are
selling at Ave cents a quart instead OF ten many
more people will cot them, and 10 Is the same
way with everything else. And then with cigar
cites this is especially the case. man WIZ
light one and only pun II "A moment before be
I ~
wasted, but Il tho price goes up he Will be more
careful and not tight 30 many for a mlhute's
smoke. Consequently tho waste WIZ DO icss'
and so our farmers will sell less tobacco.
"lt appears ike class legislation 10 me.' con-
cluded one OF the gentlemen. 81 have read tho
bill carefully aud there sooms 10 DO so1no Trick
cry In IL. For Instance, Instead OF stating What
| the proposed changes in tho tax will DO IN tno
! first part IL commences by giving minute ln-
structions as TO how tho boxes must be branded
! and other such unlmportant matters, and thon
a. the end it specifies tho Increase In the YAK"
HELPFUI. TO CHERooTs,
! Mr.. Hull, OF the nrn OF Grlgg. HUI & Coz
cheroot- nanufacturers, said that while no want
al everyb body else 10 succeed as well as himself,
| ne thought the proposed Recommendations
would be a good thing Tor his business. IL would
| necessarily remove some OF tho competition
[ which existed betwscn cheroots and cigarettes.
/ The clause which recommends that upon sam
/ pie. boxes containing either twelve or thirtsen
| cigars each tho tax be four cents, was elso III
! their favor, a. this tax had formerly been seven
/ ceuts.
| VIEWS or OTHERS.
| Mr.. Philip Whitock said that he disapproyed
OF the BILL as no did not believe In the exclusion
! OF any one class of business. While 10 did not
/ hurt the chsroot trade no thought that IL "ouiu
/ ultimately do so. -
| Mr, William III. Perkius, Jr., OF the firm OF c.
| W. Winn q Co., cheroot manufacturers, said
that ho was not in favor Of the bill, aud though
! it would be Injurious 70 the cneroot business II
/ the end. -, -
others seen.