The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-01-28

toned by the practices not by the public sentiment OF
all civilized nations
In addition to commercial privileges for a limited time
IN the ports of Cuba similar TO those granted TO Spain in
the ports Of Florida and TO France in those OF LOUISIANA
and even greater privileges, Spain should desire them,
the United states could afford to an equivalent IN mo
ney Tor the change Of flags II is true that the prncpN
pecunary gain from the acquisition would eaure 10 those
classes OF our citizens engaged in commerce. navigation
and manufactures whom the taxation 10 pay tne eqai-
vaent would fall with the least weight the producing
classes also would be largely benefited ana Is not
doubted that in consideration Of the political and CONNER
cal advantages to the whole nation they would cheerfuy
bear their proportion OF the burden.
No prospect Of pecunary gain could induce the people
Of the United States to sanction an act OF wrong and no
arguments will be necessary 10 reconcile them 10
the of national security. But as the sum proposed
TO be appropriated is large, and the people under our go
vernment demand and have he right 70 receive from the
representative body 'n explanations as 10 every egisa
tive act is duty TO lay before the House the infor
nation which has guided in settling the Of ap
preparation recommended.
COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS INVOLVED
The committee therefore present to the House Stats
tca facts drawn from official aud reliable sources show
ing the advantages which may be expected result from
the acquisition to the leading industrial of
country
1. To the agricultural.
2. To the manufacturing.
3. To the navigation
4. To the commercial.
Most of the facts drawn from the official report on
he Commercial Relations of the United States with all
Nations, prepared at the State Department ana published
by order OF Congress and where due regard to brevy
will permit the language OF that report wilt be adopted
l. The advantage TO our agricultural classes would be
two fold
First OF articles used mainly by Thorn imported
from Cuba in 1858 as foiiowsMoasses, s3,95l i56,
gar, SIS, $50 400.
On these articles export duty collect
ed by the Spanish government Of $3.50 900 90
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 l30 900 90
Total. SO ,346 1874 90
I,t,
the domestic production OF these articles is less than the
consumption, the import duty OF "a per cent levied by
this government enables the domestic producer to
"a per than he could get if the foreign article
not enhanced in price by the duty II is clear that if
the duty taken on that Cuban sugar and molasses
could be bought "a per cent cheaper the Louisiana pro-
duce would also be sold "a per cent cheaper not at ALL
This amounts TO about SS 900 600 per annum which "a
81 $50 600 making an aggregate an.
nual saving sugar and moasses mainly TO the agricul
tura classes OF IS 266 1884 On the i'm Dortaon of 1857
the saving would have been over $4,000 900.
Asupericia observer may say that this saving will
sute real gain, because the deprived
Of the revenue derives from sugar and moasses
must levy equal amount upon other article
sumed by the same class.
This view Is by correct, for when revenue
system is extended over Cuba It's citizens will pay the
treasury an amount averaging under our present tariff
about twenty per cent on ali their foreign mporatons
1t is not possible to estimate what this may be.
Secondly opening the island 10 the introduction of
agricultural productions free of duty the acquisition
would furnish to that class large and most important
market for their surplus.
Beadsulls and provisions generally of which we raise
so bontu supply proouced to very small extent
in Cuba, and yet owing to the discriminating duties and
onerous charges and restrictions imposed by the Spanish
government unable to supply to neigh
bors what have in such superabundance and they
much need.
TIE duty Cuba -four imported Spain is So 5o on
that imported from he United states in american or other
o o rs So o. e e the o, WnTn Is 70 arve se
such times as when scarcity may have carried to famine
Were the DETERMINATIONS removed flour would unqueson
The estimate the
6o admitted rat reasonable s duties a; from oo to
cGsivey by the United evident on
a s OF he
would be ont of the question Comm Rel vol l, - 1872
From the single Of -four the agrcuursts Of this
country would realize at least five million dollars per
nun. Al present they sell none to Cuba.
Lard article of great CONSUMPTION in Cuba imported al
AZ cents pound when from this country in Aeri
booms the coarser Qualities Of oil olive which i'm
is cents per pound lOolOoOO pounds
pdSGds o III o% oher coa far
ard are enabled 70 compete With in the markets Of Cubs
duty.-tComm. Rel, vol l. p. 1882
Msa'slhs existence Of asIenssl duty or meats ion
the markets OF Cuba from hnepos ayres 70 me extent Ct
comes very limited extent Notwithstanding the quality of
imported the uned States is tar superior
that from south meftca-ub. 1851
The removal of the discriminating duties referred to
would open market for IS 500 900 pounds Of meats
and lard without adding ythng Tor the increased
sumption which may expected result from the supe
or quality and cheaper price of the article we would fur
nsh. AT ten cents per pound, this would give to our
agrculturss So 500 0O0 where they get nothing.
Similar might be made in reference to Indian
corn and other articles Of food Of which our farmers
produce a large surplus, much of which is wasefuly
because there is no accessible market for its
sale all of which reduced in value because the de-
mand is unequal TO the supply those markets which are
In 1854 the island imported articles of subsistence the
value OF $4,000 co., all of which, under free trade,
would be furnished by US.
Enough has been stated from official alone,
without exaggeration and without additions which might
be egtimstey made TO show that the acquisition Of the
island would promote, in wonderful degree the prospe-
rity Of agricultural classes The sugar planters OF
Louisiana might find their profits somewhat curtaiied.
But il not be forgotten that the first attempts
to produce sugar in Louisiana resulted in such
signal failures that the business abandoned, aud
for great many years the soil and climate were re-
garded altogether unsuited TO its production Crcun
stances having caused renewal Of the attempt, perse.
yerance aud skill finally established as a lucrative aud
apparently permanent business But of late years
appreheDsons have been entertained that about
to be bhghted again, and that, perhaps in very few
years our whole supply OF sugar from that source
may be cut of by uncomfortable natural GAUGES.
Fortunately, the soil and climate are well adapted
the production Of cotton, and the most serious disaster
that can bela the planter the necessity Of transferring
his capital from the production sugar to that OF cotton
Congress has always manifested great desire that
shond be independent OF foreign nations for supply OF
sugar, ana with view to protect and foster the proiuc
ton Of tat home heavy duties have been imposed 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
amount produced al home has scarcely any year
equaled half the consumption, while in 1855 1t was
barely third, in 1856 only tenth, in 1857 about
eighth
COMPLIED CONTAINED HoxAss cY
cLoPEDIA or COMMERCE.
| Totrl prodpcea 7iotn, consumed
1e9rs ~ L,"isioaa in DHite.t States
lbs 81 $4,000 45 1869
1858. 49, lyi0O 9E,4lL6tt
io5S %, .og 800 6ll.2l,O0
100. ot,5i5Ub ~, 40