The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-10-05
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
The Tare on Sugar.

The regular meeting of the Chamber OF
Commerce was held last night, President
Cyrus Bussey in the chair and large number
of the members, as we'll as number of guests,
present
The minutes of the special meeting were
read and approved.
A communication from Sam Mullen, Esq
General Superintendent of the Southern
States Agricultural Exposition Association.
was read, requesting, on behalf of the Execu-
tive Com mittee, the appointment by the
President OF committee to call convention
of Southern and Western merchants, together
with an invited representation from Mexico
and outh America, to be held during the Ex-
position.
On motion of Col. J. NJ. Sandidge, the COM
mittes was fixed at three members, and the
President authorized to appoint it.
Several communications regarding the tare
from the chair, said that the question was one
of immense interest to the State, and he hoped
that it would be discussed calmly and dis
passionately. He had been informed that
not members of the Chamber, largely inter-
ested in sugar. He had extended invitations
himself, and he hoped the Chamber would
allow them all to enter into the discussion,
hot roco1ufioY, fho OH hpo;k
would be considered.
Col J. M. Sandidge moved to waive the
rules of the Chamber.
The motion prevailed.
Mr. Forester Dolhonde called for the read
ing of the report of the committee, and there
being no objection, Secretary VIM. M. Bur-
we'll read it.
Mr.. Jno F. Wyche-Had not intended to
inflict written speech on the Chamber, but
as the question was of so much Importance,
and had been SO much discussed, and as he
did not wish to be wrongly reported, he
asked the privilege of reading his opinion.
After Introductory remarks, Mr.. Wyche
said:
Now, sir, when we examine the recommend
atoms of this report, what are its salient
points It recommends to the planters either
to make the concession of IL per cant tare on
each hogshead or submit to actual tare for
neither of which lamentations am I will
ling to cast my vote. 1 hope this Chamber
will bear with me patiently, for shall con-
dense rapidly, and endeayor to speak to the
point. This question of tare on Louisiana
10 hu hoe
been agitated and received the attention in
years past of the ablest minds of our State
in the sugar trade.
After consultation and repeated tests 10
per cent was finally agreed upon as the most
equitable percentage for all interested. and
that, too. at period when the hogsheads
were all made upon thirty and thirty-on inch
truss hoops, instead of thirty-two and thirty
four inches now in use and no serious COM
plant has been made until recently against
that we'll known and established custom
Upon a careful test 10 per cent will be found
to amply cover the actual tare, and
at the same time it will be
seen that the planter does not get
one cent for package which costs him
from SO so to 81 so each, and which
from it. In Cuba the planter gets for each
package SIS so. This package is made of oak,
and is, consequently, much heavier than ours
which is made of cypress, and the Cuban
planter can well afford to allow the tare of IL
per cent. If fair and eq uifable method of
arriving at actual tare could be adopted l
would favor that portion of the report, but
know that this would be attended with diff
culties that can not, in my opinion, be over
come.
l cannot favor the increase of the tare to
IL per cent because it is not just to the plant
sr, who already has engaged his hegsheads
for the present crop, and for better reason
still, it would encourage the making of I'M
awful and fraudulent packages, the very
evil the advocates of this report say they
wish to correct. II actual tare could BE-
adopted without subjecting the planter to
.ef -ctions on his integrity in the correctness
ot the weight of his hogsheads and his factor
20 reclamations on account of the impossible
" of asceTtaining the proper percentage for
would, rs l have before remark
ID, favor that portion of the report. If this
could be done, L would also pass unnoticed
few other facts in connection with the
planters interest which the friends of this
eport seem to have ignored.
would be willing to let the purch aser con-
inue to enjoy the benefit of the odd fraction
n weight. Let me explain this question of
i'd fractions, as some OF the gentlemen pres
mt may not understand it.
FIVE pounds, in addition to the tare of 10
yer cent, are allowed for the canes in each |
logshead and what mud may adhere to the
anne. Now, if the hogshead weighs 1854
pounds, the planter does not get gross 1449
POUNDS, but 1445 pounds, and the same is the
esult if the hogshead weighs 1451. 1852 and
453 pounds, thus making difference in
avor Of the purchaser frequently of four
POUNDS in the weight of eacn hogshead, in
EDITION to the 10 per cent tare and the
,ounds before mentioned. Now, a cypress
.ogshead, made upon "a inch truss hoop
the largest size in use), with slaves 46 inches
n length and of pine headings of the or
mary thickness, will weigh from 135 to 140
ounds, and when full of well drained, open
ettle sugar, will contain from 1850 to 1850
ounds; and if the sugar is not well drained,
S much as 1000 pounds, which makes the
ctual tare on this size package, estimated
pom the basis of 10 per cent-135, las and
go pounds. The same hogshead with cy-