The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-10-03


There the Richmond cigarettes, and es-
pecially the straight cut brand, became
! more popular than in London, and large
| trade was established In the gay capital.
| Permission was obtained from the French
government by the Richmond firm for
! the sale in Paris OF their cigarettes TO
the exclusion OF other American brands.
Agencies and distributing depots were
subsequently established through Major
enters enterprise In Hamburg, Brussels.
as wen as in British India, South Africa
and Australia, with great success.
THE SULTAN SMOKED THEM.
An interesting incident was told by ex-
| Congressman a. NJ. Hewitt. which sets
forth the high value put upon one Of the
| Richmond brands by a foreign high dig
nitary who Is the great connoisseur OF
| Oriental smokers. Mr.. Hewitt Was In
Turkey in an official capacity. and was
invited 10 dine with His Majesty, the
Sultan. He accepted the invitation and
was entertained handsomely at The pal
/ ace.
After dinner the two INDUCED in easy
J conversation and the Sultan invited his
! guest 10 smoke with him. This honor
also met with favor at the hands OF the
foreigner. and cigarettes were brought
out. NJ. Hewitt thought Of course His
| Majesty would smoke some OF the cele-
| brated Turkish cigarettes which have
! gained so wide a reputation among smok-
ers. He was surprised when box OF
| Richmond Straight Cut, No. l. was
! handed him.
why" said he. "this is unusual. had
expected, OF course. that His Majesty
would smoke his far famed domestic
brand. Is this done as a compliment 10
me?
Il much prefer the Richmond Straight
| Cuts" replied the Sultan. They are my
| fayorites."
Upon his return TO America Mr. Hewitt
reported this incident to Major Ginter.
who Immediately sent several cases OF
Richmond Straight-Cuts 10 the Sultan,
with the best wishes Of the Richmond
firm. In reply he received an autograph
letter from His Majesty, expressing his
thanks and appreciation.
MIR. ALLEN RETIRES.
In 1854 the factory was moved from
| its location on east Franklin street 70
the southwest corner Of Seventh and
| Cary streets, its present situation me
firm name was changed from that OF
| John r. Allen & Co., 10 that OF Amen q
! Ginter.
For twelve years these two gentlemen
had been in business together, and dur
ing that time an immense trade was bulit
up IL was now regarded to be one OF the
largest concerns Of the kind in this coun-
try. and its many brands had rapidly IN
creased in popularity until they had al
most a worldwide celebrity. Major GIN
ter continued to push the business IN
foreign markets as well as at home, and
the orders increased so rapidly that
number of improvements and extensions
had to be made to meet the demands
Tor their goods.
The factory building at the new site
was a large four-story structure and
shortly after the removal the latest and
most improved equipments turning out
cigarettes and smoking tobacco were sup
piled. A large force Of employees were
kept busy, and sometimes it was found
necessary to work at night In order TO
hl their incoming orders. Many travel
ling statesmen were put on the road, ana
representatives were engaged 10 travel In
foreign countries.
Mr.. AQea. who had accumulated quite
a fortune since his partnership with Ma
Tor Ginter decided 10 sell out his interest
in the concern TO his partner, and retire
from business. II has been stated that
Major Ginter paid Mr. Allen 100000 for
his interest. whether this be true or not,
II is well known that quite a handsome
sum was paid.
Not long after Mr.. Aliens retirement,
Mr.. John Pope, who had been in the
factory. filling from time to time positions
from packer up TO superintendent Of the
several departments. was given an in
terest in the business. and from that
time continued 10 build up his financial
interests steadily. The trade rapidly in
creased. and in 1855 the establishment
was incorporated.
WOULD NOT JOIN A TRUST,
For two years the firm continued under
the name of Allen & Ginter, and its re-
sources so largely increased that when
a movement 10 form the American To-
bacco Company was commenced. the
originators of the scheme at once looked
to the Richmond factory as one Of the
most valuable acquisitions that could be
added 10 the great corporation.
The American Tobacco Company was
chartered January 90 1880. in the State
Of New Jersey. and Allen x Ginter be-
came a branch Of It.
When the owners OF the large cigarette
factories of the United states determined
to consolidate their interests in one cor
pOration, Major Ginter, through his coun-
sell the late Major Leigh r. Page, APP
piled to the Legislature of Virginia for a
charter Of this company and obtained
one. After it had passed both houses,
and had gone to the Governor, a resolu-
ton was introduced, recalling the act.
This was. no doubt. an irregular. If not
an invalid method of repeating the law,
and was so considered by counsel. but IL
was enough to defeat the purpose Of the
promoters OF the plan. which had for
its object the location Of great estab-
lishment in Richmond.
Not long before his DEATH Major Ginter
referred with regret to the loss which this
unwise course Of the Legislature had in
nicted upon Richmond and the Common
wealth.
1t was estimated he said, that the
city and state would have received taxes
to the amount of 100000 annually If that
act had not been recalled. The result was
only TO carry elsewhere the benefits
which had been secured for Richmond.
An effort was made TO form a trust
but when the proposition was suggested
10 Major Ginter he put his foot nat down
against it, and positively declined to be
come I'm any way associated with It. lie
said that he was willing TO join legal
ized corporation that met with the ap-
prevail of his fellow business men, but
that trust was unlawful. and he would
have nothing TO do with it. All attempts
to dssuade him from this decision were
futile. and up to his death he would
never entertain a proposition Of this
kind
His decision I'm this matter was referred
to in the recent trial against the Ameri-
can Tobacco Company in New York,
charging the organization with conspira-
cy. Major enters stand in this matter
hoe been nraised far and wide and has