The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-03-09
THE SANDWICH ISLAND JOB.

1t is related of Talleyrand that when NJ. d.
Semonville-a notorious courtier and in
triguer-made his appearance at one of Louis
XVIITs receptions with such bad cold tba
he could scarcely speak, the willy old diplo
matist remarked to those who stood around
him: "Can any one tell me what possible in
terest induced Semonville to have such an
awful cold =
When the coffee-colored Kalakaua was in.
vited over to this country, and made SO much
of by Grant and his friends of the Boss Shep-
herd and Secor Robson type, we were very
much puzzled to find out what might be the
real motive Of the absurd and ridiculous ex-
hibition.
That treaty of some kind was contem-
plated everybody knew, but from the lack OF
adequate data no conclusion could be reached
as to the particular sort Of African biped that
might be lurking in the Executive lumber
yard. The secret is now partially out, thanks
to that able and conscientious Republican and
political econ omist, the Hon. David A. Wells,
who, having already investigated the subject
in 1867, as Commissioner of Revenue, is
probably much better acquainted with
the bearings Of the question than
any other public man in the country. In a
letter which he has just written to Senator
Jones, of Nevada, Mr.. Wells declares that
there is not single advantage or benefit to
the United States to be derived from the pro-
posed Sandwich Island treaty, and that it
is not using unduly harsh language to char
acterze the whole scheme as a swindle, and
in the nature of fraud to deplete the Treas
ury.' This proposition Mr.. Wells illustrates
in the following words:
There is only one element of importance in
the treaty, and that is sugar, the duties upon
the importation of which article now constitute
the largest and most reliable resource Of gold
revenue under our customs. Sugar is also
the only product of any importance that is
or can be produced on the islands, and as the
natural conditions are there eminently favor
able the cost Of production is low, and the
business, under existing circumstances, rea-
sonably profitable. Blu. as the quantity Of
arable1 Ian Jon the islands is Exceedingly
limited, the annual product can never be
sufficient to affect materially the price of
sugar in the United States by greatly aug
menting our present supply. There are now
about thirty sugar plantations on the islands, ,
owned by twenty-five firms or indiv luals
and it is estimated that there is yet sufficient
good land unoccuped to admit Of an increase v
Of about an equal number of additional plan
tations. The present annual product of sugar ,
from these twenty five plantations is estim ited
at about Is, 600 tons, or 100000 poun is, :
most Of which finds its market in the United /
States" '
AS Mr.. Wells further says, tho adm;ss
duty free, of the Sandwich Island sugar, s
while two cents pound is paid on all other s
imported sugar, is equivalent to voting an u
annual subsidy or free gift Of at least $780, e
100 in gold to some twenty-five American
Gentlemen who have settled in those islands,
nd have monopoly Of the sugar estates.
Under the stimulating influence Of the pro-
osed treaty, the area of cane culture would :,
doubtless be extended to its utmost limits, y
nd the annual loss to the United States Gus
0m-House revenue and the consequent bonus
aid to the Sandwish Island sugar producers, r
'ould increase to 81, 0O0 900 or ST. 500 900, to y
ae great detriment of the American producer, VI
) we'll as of the National Treasury, with III
ut the slightest corresponding benefit
} any one, save and except, of course, as
lie political sharpers who devised the whole
heme, and who doubtless, took very good as
re to let Grant and his money making
lends into the secret, in order to secure ~
cir cooperation. eA
There is ''sugar" as well as milk in this w
,waian cocoanut, and we hope the Senate IL, !"
II look closely into it before ratifying this az
ce little job Of the Babcock- Shepherd fra 'u'
nifty. They alone will cry over the ..spilt Pr,
llk If the whole arrangement is upset.