Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-13

5000 pounds. We took cigars only, of
which we imported that year, $500. 900, as
against Europe's 80, 900, 900, Great Britain's
"a, 600, 900 and Asia's IS, 900, 900. Cuba's to-
bacco crop exceeds that of the Philippines by
many million pounds. 1t produces twice
as much tobacco annually as the export of
the Philippine leaf. but it's exports Of cigars
are about the same, each closely approx
mating 200, 900, 900 per year.
Our own tobacco crop is the biggest of
all the world. 1t amounts to more than
400, 00O, 900 pounds, or aboI four-ifths as
much as the tobacco crop of all Europe.
Our tobacco is very cheap and is desirable
for mixing with and fortifying the Eu-
ropean leaf. 1t may be that a combina-
ton of it with the Philippine leaf will pro-
duce excellent iesults.
The Philippine leaf is darker than our
American tobacco. This is especially 80
with the cigarettes, which are as black as
burnt coffee.
The people of the far east like the Ma
Mia cigars. They are the favorite smoke
Of the swells of China, Japan and India,
not only on account of ts1r quality, but
also Of their cheapness.
Spnin's Monopoly.
The Philippine islands have not been de-
VelOpeu along the lines Oh TOBACCO culture
largely because of the government monop-
oily. which prevailed here until about twenty
years ago. For 100 years prior to that time
tobacco planting and tobacco selling were
entirely in the hands Of the Spanish gov
eminent. The people OF the Rio Grande
valley were compelled to plant tobacco on
penalty of losing their lands. Every I'M
married mar had to set out 1000 plants
every year, and he who had a wife was ex-
pected to raise at least 5000 plants. The
government practically owned the lands,
and any land that was not in tobacco for
three years in succession was liable to pass
out Of the hands Of the man who lived
upon 1t.
The government regulated Just how the
tobacco should be raised and cured. 1t pro-
hibited the planters from selling 1t to any
one but the government officials, and It
fixed its own prices, which were Sc Sper
cent less than those paid in 1888, when the~
monopoly was abolished. The planter could
not even smoke his own tobacco except In
certain places and at certain times. His
house was subject to search for concealed
leaves, and the officials sometimes even
searched the persons Of his family, includ-
ing his wife and daughters, on the pre-
tense Of preventing smuggling. Insults
NohihliNASu Ou lulS pItltAl frequently caused
the death of the officials.
The laws provided just where the tobacco
should be raised and how it should be han
died at Manila. The government had FIVE
large factories in which %, 1000 men and
women were employed. 1t required 400
officials to manage the tobacco bureau, and
the income from the monopoly was about
S5,OOO,OOO a year. At the last the govern
ment began to pay the planters in treasury
notes instead Of cash. These sold for only
so cents on the dollar. They caused great
misery and finally brought about such op-
position that the monopoly was abolished.
This was on December 81, 1882. Since then
the business has been in the hands Of prl-
vate parties, but It has always been more
or less hampered with tariff and other re-
strictions, and has not had the opportunity
for development which il should have under
our government
FRANK G. CARPENTER.