The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1899-02-01
TOBACCO
mi MONOPOLY.
How the Reggie Tobacco Contract
System Affects the Mar
ket.
Congressman CIardy Trying Hard to
Secure Open Markets.

NO one KNOWS DeJter IMAM JODaCCO
growers of the blighting effect Of a gov
eminent monopC ly in the sale of crop,
and especially one in so general use as is
the tobacco crop In Europe tobacco
can be sold through the regular channels
of trade only in England and Germany,
and on this account these two countries
are our best customers. The other great
consumers of this crop, Italy, France,
Spain, etc, reserve the right to deriye an
almost extortionate profit. Under this
system those nations farm out the right
of selling tobacco to a syndicate which
has entire control of the market. The
French government derives q revenue Of
SG0,0O0,0O0 yearly, Spain sells the monop-
oily to the highest bidder and Italy does
much the same. American growers can
not sell pound Of tobacco in any Of
these countries excep. to holders OF the
monopoly and at monopoly prices.
For many years, Hon. j. d. Clayly, Of
this state, who represents great tobacco
growing district in congress, has endeav-
orel to secure direct legislation from
tia; body, 30 as to secure a worldwide
market for this great American staple
crop. Last year lac secured the passage
of bill requesting tie president to
make al investigation Of the Reggie to-
baoco contract system AMI seek by regp.
tiation with foreign governments to have
the restrictions modified or removed 60
that tobacco may hereafter be sold upon
the same conditions that other agriCul.
tural products are sold through the regu.
lar channels OF trade.
With the Spanish war overshadowing
the public business, the matter was ap.
parently lost sight of, but was not for
gotten by the willy Congressman. When
the Spanish war peace commissioners
were appointed, he arranged with the
president and Secretaries Hay and Will
son that in the consideration OF the COM
mercial features OF the treaty, a provi-
sion be made that American tobacco be
admitted to Spanish ports on the same
terms as other agricultural products
This was to be the first move toward the
practical application of the provisions OF
the Clardy antI-Regie tobacco bill, as
Spain is one OF the countries in which
the Reg system prevails.
The reason why the American peace
commissioners Jailed to secure a modifi-
cation of the laws in return for trade
privileges to be granted Spain in our new
colonies is told by Congressman Clardy
as follows:
81 am sorry to say that in the efforts
to modify or remove this monopoly, nc
real results have yet been obtained. II
was understood and agreed by the secre-
tary of agriculture and the secretary Of
state that in the treaty with Spain, open
markets for our export tobacco should be
secured, But it now seems the CONNER.
cial part OF the treaty was not entered
into and is left for future consideration
'The best promise or this subject is
from the aroused interest and enthus-
:asm now manifested by the tobacco.
growing states. When first introduced
this matter and called the attenton of
congress to it, there were not a dozen
men in congress who knew these re-
striCtions on the sale OF tobacco existed.
One representative from Virginia said to
me few days since tina. one man low
controlled the price Of tobacco in mis- G.s.
tr,t., and tie farmers would he utterly
rmnel unless a change colld he effected.
Oar agricultural appropriation bill, pass
cd jus. boi5re the holidays, contains an
appropriation of $4,000 to be used in
prosecution of the tobacco investigation,
from which we look for good results"
TABLER'S BUCKEYE PILE ONT
MEN I is no panacea, but is recommend
ed for Piles only. These it will cure.
Price so cents in bottles; Tubes, IA.
n