22 TOBACCO. 



sons are engaged in the cigar manufacture, a num- 

 ber of them being American women. " The hands 

 in a single factory consume three million cigars a 

 year, saving the tobacco out of their allotment and 



rolling and filling the cigars for themselves." 



© © © 



The tobacco manufacturers urge a reduction of 

 the tobacco tax, to promote their own moneyed in- 

 terests, and for the same reason oppose its aboli- 

 tion ; while members of Congress advocate its abo- 

 lition in order to cheapen the article. In strange 

 contrast with these attempts we find that King 

 James I. of England raised the tobacco tax from 

 twopence a pound to six shillings and tenpence. 

 To do this, as he did, without the consent of Par- 

 liament, was an unwarranted act ; yet the legisla- 

 tion was in the right direction, while ours, should 

 these unwise attempts succeed, would be in the 

 wrong. Until the happy day arrives when this man- 

 ufacture shall be prohibited by our national gov- 

 ernment, may we be saved from any disastrous 

 congressional acts that shall make the poison still 

 freer to the community ! 



