Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-12-23
FROM WASHINGTON.
The WILSON TAX ON TOBACCO,
CIGARETTES, AND CIGARS.
sugar and How IL Might BE Made to Bear
the Old Duty-virginia
Personals.

WASHINGTON, December 22.-(Special.)
The Capitol was a deserted building to-
day, comparatively speaking, and very
few Senators and Representatives put in
an appearance. Mr. Swanson, OF Viz
ginia, was brief visitor, however, not
having gone 20 Richmond yesterday, as
he had planned lie VIII start to-mor-
row. and stop In the capital city on his
way home.
Most OF the Democratic members OF the
Ways and Means Committee will remain
in the city during the holidays, with a
view to completing the unfinished sections
OF the bill relating TO internal-revenue
taxes. by the time Congress meets
again they propose 10 have their report
ready. Virginia and North Carolina are
more keenly interested in the tobacco
sections than in any other portions OF
tho measure. II seems 10 be a settled
fact that the existing tax on smoking
and chewing tobacco will remain at the
present figures. The tax on cigarettes
has already been heavily increased, so
far as the committees action has any
bearing, and that recommendation will
doubtless be sustained by the House. as
there is n general belief that cigarettes
can stand it-at least. that is the talk
heard among the statesmen, though the
manufacturers will probably not coincide
In the opinion.
The Democrats on the committee are
still undecided regarding the proposition
TO add 81 per thousand to the tax on
cigars. II IS thought an increase Will be
favored. and while there are strong pro-
tests against such large increase. the
situation is such that the committee do
not sec how they can recommend less.
Possibly the increase may not exceed 80
cents per thousand.
a VISIT THAT TOLD.
The visit Of the Richmond committee
few days ago on behalf Of the cherOOt
manufacturers was n most timely one.
The Information furnished was "A valuable
pointer to the committee and IL Is under
stood that they will do II cir best 10 ar
range the section so that cheroots may
not be unduly Disseminated against, as
perhaps would have been the result had
not the Richmond people explained the
distinction, and demonstrated the likei-
hood Of stabbing unknowlngly an indus
try that has become a large one, but whose
profits are necessarily close.
If the Ways ana Means Committee
would show little more nerve and re-
store the old duty on raw sugar. il Is
believed by many of the shrewdcst leRis-
lators that the difficulty Of raising the
necessary revenues to run the govern
ment would be removed speedily. but
they are afraid the restoration OF the
tax will increase the price to consumers
who buy in small quantities from week
to week. The increase, however, would
be so slight that in time the people
would forget all about IT, and a heavy
cut in the duty on the refined article
might actually prevent any advance in
the cost Of the article to the consumer
over $50 00o,00O in revenue could be raised
per year by the restoration of the sugar
duty; the planters would he satisfied.
and low rates Of duty on refined grades
would stab the trust by permitting for
eign competition. But the demagogues
woud raise "a great hue and cry about the
free breakfsst-table' being denied by the
Democrats to the poor people. all Of
which causes Mr.. Wilson and his asso-
ciates to hesitate.
DIR. DABNEY'S USEFULNESS.
Professor Dabney, the new Assistant
Secretary of the Department of Agricul-
ture, and who Is a Nirginian, though he
has lived In Tennessee for the past seven
or eight years has made himself so valu-
able to the institution with which he has
been connected that II is understood the
board has made a standing order that he
can have his old place back whenever he
wants it, even If it is five years from
now.
There were forty-eight gentlemen
pressed for the position, and most Of them
had very strong endorsements, but Sec
rotary Morton claimed that he ought to
have an assistant OF his own selection, SO
he rendered the position to Professor Dab
ney, and ii was accepted.
MERELY PERSONAL.
Colonel Paul b. Means, of Concord. and
l.. NJ. Scott. Of Greensboro, are among
visiting North Carolnians.
The North Carolina contested-election
case Of williams VS.. Settle will probably
be decided at the first or second meeting
OF the Elections Committee held in Janu-
ary. The committee will not meet until the
9Th OF the month.
Mr.. Leo Wheat, Of Clarke county, who
was 20 sick for several months at the
Providence Hospital, appears to be him
self again, and his health is greatly i'm
proved. He is as fond Of music as ever
and has lately given his friends here seve-
raj rare treats in the line Of his talent.
Virginia arrivals: Richard +. Robinson
and wife, w. d. Dorrier Richmond; Lewis
e. Murren, J. y. Duncan. X. II. T.
Adams. Lynchburg; Miss Bruton, Staun-
ton; j. L. Rixcy, Cuipeper.