New-York daily tribune., 1861-07-21
COFFEE, TEA, AND SUGAR.

Tlese indispensable elements of existence for
the million have been brought prominently
into notice by the contemplated tax upon them
ss to render the subject worthy Of particular ex-
amination. Although thirty millions of people,
IRON the s.nlwart adult to the nfaut in the
cradle, are to be affected by the tax, yet no an
tagonistic voice is heard in depreciation Of what
al feel to be political necessity. This is the
more remarkable from our being the greatest
sngbr-consuming people IN the world In 1910
the average consumption per individual was l6
pounds, but in i9-5 ii had risen 10 50 pounds,
thus ftr outrunning the increase of population.
During most Of this period the cO.t has been
steadily diminishing, especially 10 consumers in
the West, owing 10 the multiplication OF steam
boat, and railroads, and the consequent reduc-
ton Of freights. In oil that region the increase
Of consumption has been enormous. From 1880
10 l2ii IL was 53 per cent; from 1915 TO lSi9
il was 81 per cent; and from 1850 to 1854 it
was 20 per cent.
COf,c, on the other hand, has been steadily
advancing in price FOR the last three years, that
il, all Kinds except Java. Prices have risen
higher than ever before. The advance over 1859
in LneuayTa is about iGi per cent in 81. Do
minso I9i, in Brazil u, but in Java only about
Q per cent. Brazil supplies ns with the great
bulk Of our consumption, but in that country
thoit crops having been gathered light supplies
and high prices followed. In loJ5 We received
thence 25l,2J5,0OO pounds, but in lsG0 only
T77 $4,000. Our whole importation OF coffee in
1850, omting the Pacific slotes, was Is5, 779, ,639
pounds, against 24s, 527 ,30G in 1859. The con.
sumption in 1850 was i6, 352, 227 pounds less
than in 1852 decrease of over % per cent,
while the advance in price was very nearly at
tie same rate. The total consumption Of coffee
215.0CO tuns. of which the latter consumes
about $1,000, or nearly $4,000, 900 pounds, our
consumption increasing about per cent anna
ally, ard Europe rather over 3 per cent.
The Custom.House returns disclose many facts
OF u, ut interest at the present moment, in relation
TO the coffee supply. They seem to toreshadow
continued advance in price, Independent Of any i'm
port duty. The world is evidently drinking coffee
at n rate nster than the growers producing II.
IL grows only within the tropics, at least not with
profit beyond them. Appearances indicate that tho
limit OF production has been very nearly reached,
unless Africa, just opening up 10 civilization should
be induced TO cultivate the superior article which
her soil is known to yield Brazil, but few years
ago without n single coheetrcc yields very fuctu-
ating supply, aud for some SIX years past has been
reducing her production. st. Domingo, once the
fountain from which all Europe drew It's supplies.
Is stationary, while from lnda there is 10 large In
erase as in some districts its cultivation has been
abandoned for that of cotton and sugar. Ceylon
and Venezuela ART the only countries from which
increased supplies are now obtained To satisfy the
growing consumption of the world.
Consumers have been wondering why coffee
sbold have risen as il has, but commercial sta
ts.cs prove that they are using it up as fast as
il ia produced, leaving no surplus whatever. As
the case now stands, it is simply n question, or
will be in few years, as to bow much per
pound the coffee drinker win be willing TO pay
rather than 70 without it. II the proposed duty
IL sl further t0 enhance prices, it is proper that
the public should understand that other causes
are steadily ut work tending to the same result
II the consumers are to pay the duty OF 8 cents,
their number will be lessened, they will use it
more spariugly Some will abandon its use ca
tirely, while others will substitutes Of rye or
sweet potatoes, just as thousands did in the war
of 1912. But it is one OF the notable coinci-
deDces Of the age, that two such staples as cot
ton and coffee should be suddenly discovered to be
deficient in supply. Both may maintain enor-
nous prices in consequence but price will ineyi-