The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-10-05
TARE ON SUGAR.
To the Editor of the Bulletin:

To the Editor OF the Bulletin:
In nv former communication, published il
the BULLETIN, on the 18th of last month,
did not attempt to argue the question OF the
change in the tare on Louisiana sugar pro
posed in the Chamber of Commerce.; but a.
the question was still pending before tina
body, to be decided. at subsequent meeting
j simply wished to call the attention Of the
sugar planters to the fact that measure was
pending before the Chamber of Commerce SC
materially affecting their interest
/ also wished to remind the Chamber tina
they were dealing with matter which il
hastily decided might drive the sugar trade
from this city. I furthermore did desire to
let the planters know that they have at least
one vigilant friend in the Chamber of Com
merce in the person of Major John T. Wyche
to guard their interests.
That I was not very wide Of the mark in
my appreciation of the sense OF our sugar
planters in reference to this tare question, let
the published proceedings of the meeting Of
sugar planters held in the parish of st. Mary
testify.
Strange to say, "a Subscriber" in your
Sundays issne has attempted to reply to my
communication in tone of arrogance, and
with display of i'll temper scarcely suited to
the discussion of SO grave and practical a
question. "a Subscriber" may be assured
that "Citizen has and feels no other in
terest in this question than what arises from q
love of perfect fair dealing in trade, and from
g sincere desire for the commercial prosperity
of this city, and for the agricultural prosperity
of our planters.
/ am glad this question has been rought
prominently before the public, for before II is
closed it will be likely to lead to reform OF
some of the "tricks in trade" practiced in
this market, greatly to the prejudice OF our
sugar planters. The practice Of weighing
sugars with "rising beam and giving the
ssodd fractions often large fractions-to
the buyer; the practice of measuring mo-
iasses with a straight gauge instead OF en-
ploying the cubic measure whereby the
planter loses several gallons in every
barrel of his molasses sold here;
the fact that his costly packages are entirely
lost to him and are OF a money value to the
sugar buyer, and many other practices by
which the tradesmen obtain an undue advan-
tage over the planter, all these inequitable
practices in this market will be likely to be
brought out in bold relief before the discus
sion is ended, and it is to be hoped that the
Chamber of Commerce will be as solicitous to
correct these iniquities in the interest of the
planter, as TO tinker the tare on sugar for the
advantage of the sugar buyer
The gentlemen who are agitating this vsxed
question before the Chamber of Commerce
will find that they are handling two-edged
instrument, from which they are likely to be
wounded in the conflict of argument, and it
will be fortunate if New Orleans does not
suffer as q sugar mart more from the iniquities
of the trade than from any inadequacy of the
present tare of ten per cent. on sugar.
will not attempt to demonstrate, though
believe it to be demonstrate, that ten per
cent will, in nine cases in ten, cover the
sactual tare," which "A Subscriber enl-
phasises so earnestly. At all events, any de-
ficiency in the present rate of tare is more
than compensated to the purchaser in the
cash valne to him Of the package, and in the
todd fractions in weight which he invari-
ably gets. This principle of compensation
ought not to be overlooked by so amiable a
reasoner as ga Subscriber" 1t certainly
will not be overlooked by our planters, and
should not be disregarded by the Chamber OF
Commerce.
Let us have all the facts bearing upon this
interesting question relating to the sugar
trade of New Orleans, and let us learn whether
our declining commerce is not more attribu-
table to a vicious system of trade in this mar
ket than to too low a tare on sugar.
But however the argument may wax or
wane, the testy temper of "a Subscriber "
shall not be initiated by CITIZEN.