The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-02-20


deal with this tax and the action of the
Senate would antagonize that committee
in its work.
Senator Marshall considered it an honor
to support the measure.
Senator Brown thought the time had
come for the Senate to decide whether
or not they intended to pass an anti
cigarette bill at all. Last Saturday the
body seemed unit for it but now opposi-
tion had suddenly developed or had been
worked up. He preferred an ironclad pro-
hibitory bill but since that was objected
to he resorted to this hill prohibiting the
sale of cigarettes to minors.
MR. WOODARD OPPOSES TAX.
Senator Woodland said his position was
never in doubt and he was ready tc
meet any one on the open in this matter
1t was clear to the Senate that the SEN
ator from Columbus wants the credit oil
passing an anti-cigarette bill. but he had
differed with him all the time on this
point because he thought the present law
sufficient. He was opposed to the enact
ment of useless laws. What change does
this bill make in the law of 1891? 1t only
raised the age from II to q years of boys
who can buy cigarettes, but it includes
cigarette paper. How will that increase
the efficiency of the present statute which
is dead letter so far as enforcement
goes.
Senator Woodward made it plain that he
would never antagonize a bill to protect
boys, to aid parents in keeping cigarettes
from them while they were children, bu
ho :
prohibit the sale of cigarettes to grown
men whc had right to choose for them
selves. He argued that the pending bill
did absolutely prohibit the sale of cigar
cites in most places as long as it con
tanned the $50 tax. If a dealer sells Loo
cigarettes a month for a year his profits
WIKI be just $15 Not many small stores
sell more than 900 month yet this ta>
is $50: more than a years profits. The
tobacco used in cigarettes is now raised
in almost s. counties Of the State and has
brought prosperity and success to tht
farmers in many sections. The farmers
are the ones who are benefited by the
sale of tobacco and not the small dealer
the farmers ret the profits and it would
be wrong to strike such blow upon this
great industry in which North Carolina
is so vitality interested. he did not ad.
vocate the sale of cigarettes to boys, bu
he did oppose tax that would prohibit
their sale TO anyone.
CONCLUDING ARGUMENTS.
Senator Justice said i don't think the
tax feature should be in this bill be.
cause it is not the proper place for it
This Senate could not now decide how
much that tax should be before it be-
came prohibitory." The amendment b!
Senator Ward giving parents or guardians
damages when cigarettes are sold to
minors Of not less than $25 would in some
Instances be manifestly unjust.
Senator Justice sent &n amendment tC
strike out all amendments and pass il
as it was introduced and reported by the
committee. The bill passed.
Senator Ward said if it is unlawful
to sell cigarettes TO minors on the samt
grounds and for the same reasons that
liquor is not to be sold to minors. ther
the offence being the same, the penalty
should be the same. parent should
have an action against man who put
cigarette in his sons mouth as much as
if direct physical harm was done the boy
he SAID III ne sale OF raw material was tC
be curtailed in order to save the boys
then let - be done.
The argument | made along this lire
was in regard to the prohibitody feature
of the tax" said Woodward.
THE senator is correct" replied Ward
Il believe now that this contention was
merely that the farmers and not the deal
ers received the profits. But don ct be-
lieve that keeping cigarettes from boys
will injure the production of tobacco.
would not support a bill TO prohibit men
from buying all the cigarettes they
want. but | do desire to keep them from
irresponsible parties"
Senator Morrison said he only opposed
the tax feature, because it was priyil-
eye and almost prohbitCry tax. Il am
opposed to taxing a mans energy and in
dustry; | favor rather taxing l0afers and
not the men who are trying to do some
thing. If there is any such privilege
features in the new revenue bill, l will
vote against them. OF course, cigarette