Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-03-02
ANTI-T0BACC0 TRUST
EXCITING DEBATE OVER THE BILL
IN THE LOWER HOUSE.
Passed by a Vote of SO TO 46-Powerfui
Lobby aud Strong Speeches Against
the Msasure--Its Provisions.
Especial telegram to the Dispatch. !

RALEIGH, n. G., March There was to-
of the session in the House on the bill
against the Tobacco Trust. introduced by
Watson OF Forsyth. A big lobby is here
fighting the bill. The latter was reported
hy the committee without prejudice.
Watson made a powerful speech in sup
port Of the bill, in which he denounced
the trust in vitriolio language. and also
paid his respects 10 tae Lobbyists.
AGAINST THE BELL.
Messrs. Long Of Alamance and Fuller
OF Durham, Kitchen. and Spruill spoke
against the bill. Efforts were made to
strike out the section requiring witnesses
to answer questions and not accusing
them upon the ground that their answer
might criminate them.
WOULD BUILD UP VIRGINIA MARKETS.
In the course of the speeches of the bills
opponents 1t was repeatedly asserted that
its passage would build up Virginia mar
kets and ruin those of this State. On the
other hand, It was positively asserted that
the opposition TO the bill was all engineered
by the American Tobacco Company. The
bill passed third reading by 56 10 49,
AN ANNUAL LICENSE.
II provides that no person shall, after
Nav lst, operate any leat-tobacco ware
house without obtaining an annual license.
Auy combination by any persons or corpo-
ratlOns within this State with any assocla-
tion without the State which prevents, or
intends to prevent, full and fair competl-
tiOn IN the purchase OF leaf tobacco, or
which shall tend 70 suppress bidding for
leaf tobacco sold in open market, or TO
cause sales at less prices than would other
wise be commanded. Is declared against
public policy, fraudulent. aud unlawful.
No corporation as above described shall
bid for leaf tobacco at any public sale or
any warehouse under penalty OF not less
than 500 nor more than $4,000 fine, or I'M
prisonment for not less than one nor more
than three years, each days violation or
the act constituting separate oHence.
CONSPIRACY.
ANY combination Of the kind described
is declared a conspiracy against trade. aud
each DAYS violation at any warehouse Is TO
be punIs hable 10y $4,000 fine, holt 10 the
person bringing the suit. Ii non-resl-
dents engage IN such business all their
property IL to be attached and seized by
the Sheriff.
WHAT IS SUFFICIENT.
In actions under this act il shall be
rrima- f1c.e evidence sufficient to provo
that combination as defined exists WITH
out proving all its members. The proU-
sions Of the act are cumulative. Evidence
must be given. No corporation violating
| the law can do business IN this State,
either in buying Leaf or IN selling cigar
cites. plug or smoking or snuff
within the State.
WILL ASK FOR DGsBNDNENr.
The State troops are greatly disturbed
! 10y bill which has passed the House re-
| duclng the appropriation tor the state
! Guard o. only 5000 annually. To-day, aS
| the news spread, thus acton also caused
| quite a stir among the general public, who
! know tho necessity for the force
and for even more liberal appropriations.
It IS openly stated that the force will ask
! for di-tandment if the bill becomes a
law. Thus what the Popuhsts desire, as
| they stated IN the campaign. would come
! . pass. Their speakers attacked the State
Guard on AL occasions. and 40 dld some OF
the Republican speakers. Eastern and Gem
tral North Carolina would be positively
defouccless but tor this force. The Demo
crats IN the House who voted for the bill
did SO isnorautly, save in few cases, as
! they openly confess.