New-York tribune., 1878-04-13
SUGIR TARIFF AND BONDS.
CONFERRING WITH SECRETARY SHERMAN.
SUGAR FIRMS PROTESTING AGAINST 1HE NEw
TARIFF-1uE SYNDICATE CONTRACT.


SUGAR FIRMS PROTESTING AGAINST 1HE NEW
TARIFF-IHE SYNDICATE CONTRACT.
Secretary Sherman visited the Sub-Treasury
yesterday morning. and after remaining hdfhour, he
went TO Collector Arthur's Office, where he re-
ceived a delegation Of sugar importers aud retners.
There were present Collector Arthur Appraiser butcher
Colonel Tmgc, Of the Secret Service R b. Minturn Of
Grinnel Muturn & Co; J. VI. Ceballos and Robert
Hewitt ir. ~ J. VI. Ceballos & Co.; W. T. Booth, of
Booth & Edgar; CtaIlrs Durant ir., Of G. Durants
Sons; L. n. Fuller Of Adama 4 Fuller, and Professor
Chandler. Scion Humphreys Of T. D. Morgan 4 Co.,
was also present but din participate in the proceed
iDgR.
Mr. Mnturn said that the sugar trade objected 20 the
schedule OF duties reported III the new Tariff Bill because
the whole scale Of duties imposed nurously HIGH
a unreasonable burden upon a leading branch Of
commerce aud industry, which now IN exception
ally depressed condition. They also objected 10 H be
1t would increase frauds upon the revenue by in
correct slmping aud incorrect classification, loss in
rcyenue 10 tie Government and great injury honest
importers who he claimed could not successfully cou
tend with such unfair competition lie said fur
thcr that. as to all sugars not above No
No l3 Dutch standard In color the proposed schedule
erred in adopting the poariscope test and in dividing
such sugar into broad classes with large Gscrimin-
alton of duty between the classes. A Uniform duty
should be established all sugars not above no l3
Dutch standard without regard 10 color or test "
the polariscOpe test deemed essential, and uni
form duty on refining sugars were not approved Mr.
Minturn held that it should be made equitable by pro
yidng that in the rate Of duty there should be differ
ence OF only 2s cents per 100 pounds for every degree
of instead OF 80 cents per 100 pounds as proposed
by the new tariff
Secretary sherman said that this proposition certainly
possessed the mertty OF equity. The subject was not
under his control but had become question of Con
grcssonal action He would advise the members Of the
..N.. .N.a uala la
present II TO Congress where 1t would doubtless receive
respectful consideration
W r Booth said that the influence OF the Secretary
would prove a valuable auxiliary, and that II was nee
essarY that some method marked by simplicity should
DC adopted that all the revenue might he collected.
Secretary Sherman responded that the Government
WAS desrous Of the adoption Of tariff that would
preyent all opportunities for fraud, and IA
yored uniform tarf by which all The
revenue might be honestly collected =, .,..,..,
Mr. Fuler suggested that the pOlariscOpe ~ nuopeu'
would give two opportunities for fraud where thero
one at present ,,.,. ,. .,.ooo,h,r r,ob.hio
tho the p6lariscope would be adopted IN some iorIn
and he should certainly favor any measure Iookps 10
Another meeting OF sugar importer. and rehners was
held In the afternoon at the olce OF Masnu tbe
Co 10 make arrangements 10 secure odlhchtoh OF ths
sugar tar as adopted ~ the Committee on Nays ana
from York Boston, Philadelphia. and baltimore.
The proceedings secret There were present IL D.
ngfni nT1eaf hIo Fuller and Robert Gordon Mr. Min
turn presided and Mr. heWlt vas Sc ''.'i2, az q,
r. ia understood that April lG iand Il were
selectcd las the days for the conference ana
the officers were instructed 10 call tue attention OF
The trade 10 the importance OF full attendance ana
thorougl discussion Of the abuses In the sugar trade
After his conference with the sugar firms hr sher,
man entered into an examination OF various matters "l
Custom House details which been The subject
Of correspondence and for seyeral hours nc was
engaged I'm tins labor with Collector Arthur 6encral-
AppTaiser Ketchum, Appraiser butcher nnd surveyor
Merritt Iu conversation with TRIBUsE rePortitrr MI
sherman said that with the sale OF the bonds
he had closed all business Of public Interest ana Ihat ne
ehoud return TO Washington at o'clock this morning
The members Ot the Syndicate met secretary sherman
Yesterday and signed duplicates OF the contract Tor Tue
nurchasG of the $jO.ODOOOO Ala per cent bonds IN
order that each member OF the Syndicate should
have a copy. No other business was transacted.
The SIOOOOOOO bonds, the first subscription OF the
Syndicate were ordered to be sent at once ana tue
Syndicate has received notice that they were forwarded
by the Treasury Department yesterday afternoon.