New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-06
TOBACCO-GROWERS AMAZED.
THEY VIGOROUSLY OBJECT TO THE RE-
vISED TARIFF SCHEDULE.
THY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBrN


Washington. May 5.-The representatives OF the
domestic leaf tobacco growers who are in Washing-
ton looking after the interests OF that Industry say
they amazed when they read the tobacco sched-
ule proposed by the majority of the Finance COM
mittee substitute for the corresponding schedule
Of the .Dingley bill. They declare that they will
abate none OF their efforts in behalf of the domestic
growers OF leaf tobacco. and that they will have
strong and sturdy champions. who will make an ag-
gressve fight in the Senate in their behalf P9esl-
dent Van Duzer. OF the Chemung Valley Tobacco
Growers Association. who Is In Washington, las
written a strong letter the subject. copies OF
which were sent to-day TO a number of prominent
Republican Senators and Representatives. Among
other things Nj Van Duzer says:
am aware OF the conflicting interests 10 De
handled in making general revision OF our tdrn
will maintain and encourage the production IN MS
country. whether in the workshop or on the FARM
of such products as can be successfully produced
here, even II seemingly high rates OF duty are re-
eign manufacture grower VINO has the ADVANTAGE
Of the ruinOusly cheap labor In growing, sorting anu
this country. We last year exported TO England or
the United kingdom g 70 pounds OF eS6 b 59oaTG %
English tariff rate that Decent leaf foO1ccg IS
IS 3D. It is thus sen h2t as xe3 az dd the nrEs N
tobacco imported from the United States me hand
some sum OF $3gol0000 much more than half her
total recep-s from customs duties.
Why then. should this country. the greatest pro-
Queer OF all grades OF tobacco in the world; collect
only little over Sl2wooo0 from the S1l~lOoo
worth of imported tobacco. the wrapper portion
OF which rObS the 10000 growers OF cigar lear To-
hacco of he great home market for the only pront-
able portion OF their crop?
1t IL an open that respectful bic ana to-be-
respected labor organization has vigorously pro-
tested against any chang" from the present Demo
cratic Wilson duty tobacco on the ground that
the freer importation OF the foreign cigar wrapper
is 70 the financial advantage or this particular
branch of labor They do not consider the interests
OF the thousands OF American laborers who are
displaced by the Chinese coolies who not only are
employed i'm growing this foreign wrapper tobacco
I'm foreign lands. but who in these same foreign
lands assert and reassOrt and prepare that tor-
eign tobacco that they displacc a large number OF
laborers who found employment in American cigar
factories when the American-crO|n leaf was used
Therefore in buying abroad this tobaccO-the FIN
ished product OF this coolie labor-we are not only
taking employment from thousands OF American
farm lahorers. but from other thousands VINO
wise measure which widens the field of industry
and furnishes additional employment 70 American
labor I'm any single branch OF industry conferS a
benefit on the labor interests in every other branch
II Is narrow basis on which the protest OF the
cigarmakers organization Is based. NeN"rthelesf
II the great Republican party had directly or lnd-
rectly promised promot> The interests Of Amer-
can cigarmakers by adopting Democratic Free
Trade theories with T/crenCe To tobacco or any
other commodity. ! sb/uld be resolutey in favor OF
keeping faith with tIem. and should applaud our
ta--rna ker. for needing their appeals agains.
the protest Of any other Interest but am NOT
aware that in our ptrty platform or in its National
campaign were Their. any such pledges or promises
given. Then what ran Justify the dominant mem
bcrs Of the Fiuanie Committee in thought OF
revenue which a ~ rate cigar wrapper leaf
would give the Govei SCENT ,nd at the same time
disapuoint the farmers - this population OF their
party's promises and principles?