Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-02-23
FRIDAY. FEBRUARY 90, 1894
Let the Tohaoco.Tnx Alone.


In Washington Il is believed tsat Secrc-
tary Carlisle Is engaged in urging mems
bers of the Senate Committee on Finance
TO Increase the tax-ratc ON manufactured
tobacco.
This is disagrccablc news 20 Nirginians
and North Carolinians. and IS not what
was expected Of a Democratic administra-
tion. Down here. Democrats have always
denounced the intcrnal-rcyenue system as
an instrument Of espionage and opprcs-
sion. and our darling expectation was mat
when the Democrats came into power the
whole thing would be wiped out. II Is
bad enough to have TO forcgo this cXpec-
tatlon-becausc the Republicans have put
upon the country "a pension list which
takes 100000 per annum to meet 1t
but 10 have the tobacco-tax raised in ad-
dition would be too bad.
II would make our people very sore in
deed 10 learn that the Democrats had put
the tobacco-tax up 10 a higher figure than
that fixed by our enemies. Therefore 1t
would be unfortunate for the Democrats
OF Virginia and North Carolina should Mr..
Carlisle succeed in the purpose ascrlbed
To- him. Every Congressman from Viz
ginia and North Carolina will tell him
that any increase would make our cleo
tons this fall hard work for the Demo-
gratis.
We say 60 congressman: Don't do it.
Let the tobacco-tax alone; let 1t stand
where it is. An increase would simply
mean that in a little while there would be
agitation for its reduction.
Our people down here are reasonable
people: they know that I'm most States
the opinion is that tobacco is a subject
which can bear any amount Of taxation;
our people make allowances for the pre-
;udice prevailing elsewhere against THE
weed: but Congress shouldn't trcspass
TOO far upon our patience. Don't MAKE 1t
possible for the Republicans ana Popu-
lists TO sneer and say: Now what do
you think OF the Democratic admlnstra-
ton? 1t has actually gone ana raised the
iobacco-tax on YOU
our tobacco-men at the best earn but II
scanty living from their capital ana in
dustry. The tobacco market has suffered
q long period OF depression, and prices
rule very low. Our planters and manu-
facturers are already bearing more than
their due share Of the public burdens. ana
their shoulders would smart indeed If
another ounce were added Thereto ny
Democratic administration.
III is useless to tell US tha, "thc con-
sumner pays the tax" Admitting for the
sake Of argument that he does, who pays
that great tax-the loss OF business
which IL the inevitable accompaniment Of
all agitation? We can answer: The fac
tories and the planters pay it, and 1t
always costs them dearly.
We are informed that the law already
discriminates against the workingmans
tobacco in favor of the tobacco consumed
cents for a smoke.
We have the following figures:
Cigars and cheroots manufactured in
the United States FOR the year 1896:
Quantity ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 4,3SO, US, 80
lnternal-revenue tax paid,
per 1000, equals ............. l2,99Ob-5 10
Value of same at average
urice sold TO retailer, say
SO per 1000 equals ........, l29,96,2ol 90
chewing and smoking tobacco manu-
factured In the United States for the
year 1893:
Quantity pounds) ............s 26O, l9o,W6
acknowledgements tax paid, 49,.
cents per pound .~........ Sl3,Sll,W 70
Value OF same AT average
price sold TO the retailer,
say so cents per pound, -.
EQUALS ............'..''.'s''.s oHVoo'o'f ~
thirty dollars worth Of cigars pays
n tax or ~. ,,, ood
.n,okIng tobacco pays tax OF cents
a worth OF chewing and smoking
,ohscc,o pays an internal-revenue tax
~ % cents; while 81 worth of cigars
navs an Internal revenue tax OF 10 cents;
,,yxo and a half per cent. OF the tota
o,,tnut OF cigars and cheroots is COM
posed of cheroots. -. ,,.,,h
Cigarettes and snuff are dealt win
.,lara,elv under their respective heads
"a [corse1uently are not included with
Seuing and smoking tobacco.
We don't urge or ask that any new Dur
~, he saddled upon the cigar Industry;
n,r only wish is TO show that that hran'h
y, the trade in which we are most inter-
os,ed ought not to be disturbed
I'm, ~ the question is opened at all
,vo,,a be but fair that Congress should
,o,uove the inequalities that seem to ex-