Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-10-22
Tobacco, Its Use and Tax.

The Dispatch to-day prints interviews
with a number of gentlemen prominent
In the tobacco trade Of Richmond as to
the proposition that the tax on this article
should be increased. To a man they
think 1t would be very unwise for the
government to pursue any such course
at least, until every other resource foi
increasing its revenues has been ex'
hausted.
Our peoples views on this subject may
be charged to the suggestions OF SELF
interest, and we make no denial Oh INC
fact that any further imposition upon the
tobacco trade would be hurtful, and there
fore unwelcome to the interests OF Rich
mond and all the counties OF virginia
which grow tobacco. But tobacco Is now
raised in a great many States OF the
Union. Others besides Virgnians are con-
cerned In the matter. Virginia Is no longer
at the head of the list of tobacco growing
States either in the value or quantity
of product OF the leaf or manufactures
article. The question is a very broad one
There Is, indeed, a tobacco interest IT
numbers of the States OF this Union
while tobacco consumers are found ir
every nook and corner OF the country
The great question is: Has not this In
terest been harassed enough? Is there
never to be time when 1t Is to Do
exempt from agitation and, In the Ions
run. would not the government profit
more by a-permanent policy than by
fiuctuating policy, and are not the con
sumers-who are mistakenly alleged to bt
the persons who pay the whole tax
entitled to some consideration? Theii
share OF governmental expenses the con
sumers surely ought to bear, but nc
more. And while tobacco is generally
described as "the poor mans luxury
1t could more properly be called ne
cessity than luxury. particularly ir
cases where victims OF the habit have
INDUCED themselves in II for many years
Our people gave up all hope of seeing
the tobacco tax abolished when the gov
eminent was saddled with the present
enormous pension-list.
They would reconcile themselves to thu
present tax IL the doctrlnaires would
leave 1t alone.
The tobacco trade wants repose. Ger
tainly this Is true as to the trade In
Virginia and North Carolina. and II 1t !:
not true as to the western trade, 1t Is
because OF the influence exerted there
by certain large concerns which would
rejoice in any legislation tending to cen
tire trade more and more in the hand:
Of few firms in few cities.
Each State Of the Union is endeavorine
TO protect its interests in the framing Of
the proposed revenue bills. We have The
Same right. II we do not look out fol
ourselves nobody else will. And II we car
show-and It seems that we can-tha
an increased tax would be bad govern
ment policy, we ought to be able to secure
the help of many who have less direct
interest in the matter than we have
but who are. nevertheless, concerned
about distributing the burdens OF govern.
ment fairly.
All who are opposed to "monopolles'
ought to favor a low tobacco-tax. The
higher the tax the greater the capital
required to enter the manufacturing bust
ness. The fewer the factories, the less
the producer will get for his leaf. and
the less competition there will be for the
services of skilled factory operatives; thu
smaller their wages will be.