Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-04-06
ted from Cuba in 1868 as follows: Molasses, 49, O51

1876; sugar, SIS, 555, 400. ~ ., s
On these articles an export duty was
collected by the Spanish Govern
ment of $75O,O0O w
An import duty of "a per cent. was
collected by the United States, 4,465,575 90
Tax on sugar imported from other
countries, which would come from
Cuba free, 1,130,6O9 90
Total, 6,346, 1874 90
But this does not exhibit the whole saving So
long as the domestic production of these articles is
less than the consumption the import duty of "a per
cent levied by this government enables the domes-
tic producer to exact "a per cent more than he
could get if the foreign article not enhanced in
price by the duty. 1t is clear that if the duty
taken off, $50 that Cuban sugar and molasses could
be bought "a per cents Cheaper, the Louisiana pro-
duce would also be sold "a per cent cheaper, not
at all. This amounts to about $SO000OO per an
nun, on which "a per cent. amounts to 81 100000,
making an aggregate annual saving OH sugar and
molasses mainly to the agricultural classes, of 49,
$780, 1884, On the importation of 1857 the saving
would have been over $15, 100000.
A superficial observer may say that this saving
will constitute real gain, because if the govern
ment is deprived of the it now derives from
sugar and molasses it must levy equal amount
u ,on some other article consun ed by the same
class.
This view is by no means correct, for when our
revenue system is extended over Cuba its citizens
will pay into the treasury amount averaging
der present tariff about 90 per cent all their
foreign mportatons. 1t is not possible to estimate
what this may be.
Second By opening the island to the introduce
ton of agricultural productions free of duty the
acquisition would furnish to that class large and
most important market for their surplus.
Breadstufts and provisions generally, of which we
raise so bountiful supply, are produced to very
small extent in Cuba and yet, owing to the discrim-
mating duties and onerous charges and restrictions
imposed by the Spanish government, unable
to supply to our nearest ncighbors what have in
such superabuEdance and they so much need.
"Thc duty in Cuba on -four imported from Spain
is 81 80, on that imported from the United States
in American other foreign bottoms it is $40 81,
the effect of which is to drive the American article
entirely from the Cuban market, except at such
times as when scarcity may have carried it up to
famine Point.
Were the determinations removed flour would
unquestionably become leading staple export to
Cuba
The most moderate estimate places the consump-
ton of -four. it admitted at reasonable duties
at from 800 900 to 900 0 barrels. That this trade
would be enjoyed almost exclusively by the United
States is evident from the fact that -four is amongst
our heaviest articles of export and European com
petition with country within few days sail of the
island would be out of the question. "-(Comm. Rel
vol l, p. 1927
From the single article of -four the agriculturists
of this country would realize at least five million of
dollars per annum. At present they sell none to
Cuba.
Lard, an article of great consumption in Cuba,
imported almost exclusively from the United States
is subject to duty of Al cents per pound, when
brought from this country in American bottoms :;
the coarser qualities of OIL (ove) which are i'm
ported for the same purposes, are delivered with a
duty of 45 cents per pound and the result is that
10000, 600 pounds of lard being vastly superior
article are imported, while s,5On000 pounds of oil
from other countries, far inferior to lard,
bled to compete with it in the markets of Cuba be-
of the difference in price in its favor produced
| by the duty."-(C Comm. Rel, vol. l, p 1881
Meats The existence of diferential duty on
meats imported in Spanish bottoms draws the sup
ply of this article in the markets of Cuba from Bue
nos Ayres to the extent of 80 00O0o OF pounds an
| nually; while from the United States it comes to
very limited extent notwithstanding the quality Of
the article imported from the United States is far
| superior to that from South America. "-Ih 1881
The removal of the discriminating duties referred
to would open market for IS, 500, 900 pounds of
our meats and lard, without adding anything for the
! increased consumption which may be expected to
result from the superior quality and cheaper price
of the article we would furnish At ten cents per
pound this would give to our agrculturists So $780,
! OO0, where now they get nOtnlnS.
Similar statements might be made in reference to
Indian corn rice othor articles of food of which
our farmers produce large surplus, much of which
is wastefully consumed because there is no Access
sible market for its SALE and all of which is reduced
in value because the demand is unequal to the sup
| ply in those markets which are accessible
In 1854 the island imported articles of subsistence
to the value of $40 900 O0O all of which, under free
trade, would be furnished by
tod al limo
without cxaggeraton, and without additions which
might be legimatey made, to show that the acqui-
sitOn of the island would promote, in wonderful
degree the prosperity of our agricultural classes
The sugar planters of Louisiana might find their
profits somewhat curtaed But it must not be for
gotten that the first attempts to produce sugar in
Louisiana resulted in such signal failures that the
business was abandoned, and for great many years
the sol, and climate regarded altogether I'M
suited to its production Circumstances having
caused renewal of the attempt perseverance and
| skill finally established it lucrative and appa-
rently permanent business But Of late years Sc
rous apprehensons have been entertained that 1t is
about to be blighted again. and that, perhaps, in
very few years our whole supply Of sugar from that
source may be cut off by uncomfortable natural
causes. Fortunately, the soil and climate are well
adapted to the production Of cotton, and the most
serious disaster that can befa the planter is the
cessity of transferring his capital from the produc
ton Of sugar to that of cotton.
Congress has always manifested great desire that
we should be Independent of foreign nations for GU,
supply of sugar, and with view to protect and fos
ter the production of it at home heavy duties have
been imposed on the foreign article. Although the
consumers have borne this heavy burden for many
years. the increase of production has not kept pace
with the increase of consumption. The amoun
produced at home has scarcely in any year equal
ed half the consumption, while in 1865 it was barely
third in 1856 only tenth 1857, about an eighth
mans Cyclopedia Of Commerce.
SUGAR.
Years. Total produced inTotal CONSUMED il
| Louisiana, United States.