Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-08-16
SENATE PASSES
M|LNER BILL FOR
BIC TOBACCO TAX
Sales Tax on Cigars and
Cigarettes Receives APP
provaI of Senate by Big
Majority

The senate Tuesday afternoon, by
vote of 26 to IL, passed the house
bill by Representative Miner, OF
Dodge, levying a sales tax of ten
per cent on cigars and cigarettes.
The bill now goes to the governor
for his signature.
The vote on the measure came ait
err President George H. Carswell re-
1inuuished the chair and took the
floor to pay his respects in plain
language to what he described the
powerful lobby which has been en-
gagged for several days in an effort
to kill the bill"
81 would be guilty of political cow
ardice if l did not raise my voice at
this time" President Carswell said.
"Since 1905 and 1906 1 have never
seen such a powerful lobby in the
capitol as that confronting us today.
From every corner of the state the
call was sent out, and they have
gathered here in this effort in be-
half of the selfish interests. 1t is the
most unfair and unjust lobby [ have
seen in twenty years of legislative
service It includes eX-representa-
tives, ex-senators and many others
who are here at the clarion call OF
the American tobacco. trust.
81 am from south Georgia, and I
raise tobacco, and I tell you that the
passage of this bill will not affect
a single tobacco producer. II l
thought so, 1 would fight the bill.
This same lobby stood here in 1905
and 1906 and fought us when not
sprig of tobacco was being raised in
Georgia. At that time they COM
bined with the liquor trust.
THE acid test is now here, and
1t is up to this senate to say today
whether the people shall run the
state or whether the selfish inter-
ests shall dominate it. 1t is up to
the senators to take the part Of
the old soldiers and the states tu-
bercular patients on one hand or the
American Tobacco company on the
other. For my part, regardless OF
political consequences, l take my
stand against these selfish interests
and appeal to you to support this
bill.
1.-THE chief executive Of the state
cried lobbyists year ago and de-
clared he wanted them stamped out.
Where is his clarion voice today?
Last year and again in his inaugural
he cried for money to pay the Con-
federate pensioners. Where is his
call today?
There was no further debate on
the bill after President CarSwell con-
cluded his speech and on roll cal.
vote twenty-five senators voted aye.
This was one vote less than the
requisite constitutional majority
and the senate president voted for
the bill Speeches against the meas
ure were, made by Senators Gran
than and Landlord.
The bill was recommended for pas
sage late Monday by the senate ap
propria tons committee. The vote
was 10 to Z.
Approximately s2,500.OO0 annual
" is expected to be added to the
states revenue by this act. The first
100000 will be used for improve
ments and extensions at the tLber
cular sanitarium at Alto, and the
balance will go towards liqudatlne
the sums due Confederate pension
ers.
The committee voted an amend
ment which graduates the tax as
follows: On cigars and cigarettes
costing ten cents or less, a tax i
one cent; on cigars and cigarettes
costing from II cents to 70 cents, 9
: of two cents, and so on. Sena
tor Pace, author of the amendment
said this would prevent tobacco
dealers from making profit out Of
-,