Year: 1869

The Tobacco Region-EGects of the Tax


General Stoneman's Appointing BOard-Im.


migration-Money.


DANvILLE. Va, March 4, 1869.


After mild winter we have a prospect in this
latitude OF propitious spring and early resump-
ton OF our chief industrial pursuits, preparations
for the coming crops and the handling OF the great
money staple, tobacco. Danville is growing to be
quite important market for the sale Of leaf tobacco,
though the manufacturing interest here is not nearly
Of such magnitude as 1t from 1850 to 1860. The
enormous tax Of thirty-two cents per pound on the
manufactured article has resulted in transferring
this branch OF the business to other localities.
Our people lack the necessary capital to
successfully manufacture the weed under the
existing system. Consequently the great bulk
OF the material brought to this market for sale
from the counties OF Halifax Charlotte, Pittsyvania,
Henry, Franklin and Patrick, Va, and from Caswell,
Rockingham, Person. Guilford and Stokes, N. c., is
reshipped to be worked at New York, Brooklyn, Lou
isvle, st. Louis, Augusta or Columbus, Ga. This is
the heart Of the fine tobacco growing region OF the
United States. The season having fairly opened the
weed Is coming into market great quantities from
the surrounding country, but of the thirty to fifty
thousand po6hds daily sold here not one-fth is held
to be manufactured in this place. Dealers In the
cities named have agents here who make their pur-
ch ases. The great advantage which manufacturer
in Brooklyn, N. Y, or Augusta Ca. has over one IN
Danville is, that he can sell the manufactured
tobacco in the factory and does not have to ax the
stamps therefore, until it is sold; whereas, there
being no market for the manufactured article here
In bulk, i has to be shipped unsold, ana before
manufacturer has thus to advance the tax money,
which is very hard on him.


This people OF all classes are very S0liclt0us that
this tax shall be reduced. The way IT is now col
lected, tax OF ten cents per pound, all secured,
would bring the government more revenue than IL
at present receives from this source and at the same
time would insure the prosperity OF large section
OF people. II the HERALD would use It's vast in1u.
ence TO have this burdensOme tax reduced 1t would
confer lasting benefit upon o large and formerly
prosperous community.


The board OF officers ordered by General Stoneman
to visit the towns and cities Of the state for the pur
pose OF recommending persons to fill the vacancies
in the civil offices were in Danville last Friday after
having been to Lynchburg and Farmvllle. General
Granger s president OF the board. 1t Is impossible
to oil the civil ofces IN Virginia on account OF
the oath required, and the mere places OF trust or
honor 60 begging: but when salary Is attached
there Is always somebody ready to take hold either
or some Southerner who managed to avoid compli-
cations with the rebellion. General Stoneman, we
think is now trying to make clean sweep OF all the


Our negro population are now as they have usually
been for the past three yearspeacefu ana orderly.
able employment The grinding tax upon the lead
ing staple Of tobacco bears as hardly upon the la
boring classes who make the weed grow as upon
the planter manufacturer himself. As is natural
many OF our negroes have their heads crammed full
They are lust now excited over the State Convention
OF republicans which is to meet at Petersburg on
the 9th inst. to put State ticket in the field.


Immigration Is now one OF the hobbies OF our
people. II there is any one subject upon which the
whole population are united 1t Is this. They
anxiously look forward to the day when the surplus
capital and energy Of the North shall make these
fertile fields rejoice again IN abundant harvests
and give q new life and impetus to every
branch OF industry. Every Northern man who
comes to cast his lot with us and make permanent
residence here win be most gladly Welcomed 1t is
hoped that In now brief time the tide viii set In
this direction. Many have hope tina. General
Grant win give the country such q firm and just
administration as will eliminate the sectional and
disturbing questions from politics and secure quiet
and confidence everywhere.


1t il matter OF regret that the bill providing for
redistribution OF the currency did not pass the
Fortieth Congress. The South needs currency to
meet the legitimate uses OF trade The returning
tide of prosperity already felt lib the cotton States
win ere long sweep over our whole section, and
large circulating medium will be required to answer
the purposes Of commerce. In our town we formerly
had national bank. Now we have none though
private banking house, that OF Messrs Johnston
Ficklin has arisen in Its stead, and this together
with another private banking house, affords this i'm
mediate community suffcient money acc0mmoda-
tons for the present. though money u scarce and in
dom nd n %