New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-01-31
WORK OF. COMMITTEES.


COMMITTEE.
GENERAL PRESS DIsPATCH.1
WASHINGTON, Jan. 30-The hearing IN the
sugar question was this morning by the Com
mittee on Ways and Means Mr.. Henry A. Brown the
ex-Treasury Agent who before the committee yes
ter,iay concluded his statement with further expert
ments aud demonstrations showing how high grade OF
sugar can be artieiay colored GAS TO make repre-
sent n low grade under the Dutch standard. he SAID
that he would recommend the committee Tn allow the
present tariff ON sugar remain tls-Daich stan
dard and a-and add the power of the Secretary
of the Treasury authority 10 employ polarization, which
discovers Immediately the crystallzsble strength ana
consequent market value OF sugar. aud also to employ
when he saw a., analysis In order to detect other in
gredens IN the export Of fine sugars lest the Secretary
in paying wbacks should be paying drawback on
sand and other articles. In addition TO that he sug-
gested that ell sugars of all grades should be ground
and brought the consistency of the Dutch standard
before being appraised.
Mr. French the Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.
then came before the committee ana made statement
as 10 the reasons which impeled the Secretary of the
Treasury the orders in regard TO the apprase
ment OF sugar which have been much complained OF
by tile Importers He gave the history OF TWO sugar
cases-one in San Francisco and one In Boston--in
which the question artificial discoloration Of sugar
was tried before. the Courts ana from the decisions
in which cases he deduced the principle that
the Treasury department was not only Justified
but required 10 20 behind the apparent coiorng
OF eugar and to ascertain Its real value
Since 1864 the methods then In use OF manufacturing
sugar have changed Mr.. French read to the committee
a letter written by Nathaniel McKaywho had appeared
before the committee days and had then testi-
fed that fraudulent coloring OF sugar prac
tised In Demerara-to Sir Michael Hicks-Beach, tho
Eng,lsh Colonial Secretary the subject OF his INT
McKays) visit to British Guiana, In which letter ne
stated that he had by the Committee on
thorough Investigation into the machinery ard
processes OF making sugar DemeTara with the single
purpose OF establishing the fact whether artificial COL
oriDg the practsed there's that his exam
iDaon had proved complete vindcation OF the plant
ers OF Demerara
Mr.. Garfield asked the chairman whether Mr. Mckay
had gone 10 Demerara as an agent OF the Ways and
Means Committee.
The Chairman stated that Mr. Mckay had never been,
either directly or indirectly either officially or unoflci-
ally, authorized by the Committee on Ways and Means
10 20 to Demerara or anywhere else
Mr.. Kelley said that when Mr.. Mckay was going 20
Demerara he received from him (Mr Kelley and
from another member of the committee, asking him
(Mr Mckay bestow, while in Demerara such atten-
tioI could the sugar question and to Investigate
it,
Tie Chairman stated that the last session OF Con-
gress Mr.. Mckay had called upon him with letter
Mr. Kelley, which purported to be an Endorsement
Of him AIr Mckay to his Intelligence and Integrity
and for such duty that be had asked bis
concurrence in the matter which no 1.-THE Chaman had
refused Subsequently however, at the instance oil Mr.
Kelley he had stated in writing that any Information
could be procured relating to the sugar question
would be Of service to the committee.
Mr. Mckay produced copies OF the etters-the first be-
ing from Mr. Kelley, dated April 90 1879 directed to
Mr. Mckay invoking his (M.Kay's) aid IN procuring In
formation which Mr Kelley might rely In regard
10 the process making in Demerara. and gener
and hpiu I'm he
fol OWING words, from MIR. Wood concur with Mr..
Kelley that fair and honest inquiry into the manu-
faoture of sugar Demerara will be OF much service to
the Committee Ways and Means In further invesga
alleged colorIng OF sugar from these col
ones."
Mr. Mckay said he should like TO state what he knew
what Mr. French had done in regard to the Deme
rara people He wanted to that Mr.. French had IN
the Custom House of New-YOrk two men from Deme
rara who had stolen money from sugar estate, and
that be had put six days after the decison
Of Mr.. Perot's In Baltimore.
Further INQUIRY from Mr. French elected the fact that
the report of a commission appointed by the Colonial
authorities OF Demerara established coDcusively the
practice CT fraudulent celebration Of there. and
In direct contradiction OF Mr.. McKays report.
Mr. French stated in response to questions by Mr.
Garfield that effect of the Treasury orders
TO the apprase OF had boon very favorable 70
tie revenue.
yestgation of the causes Of the colored exodus Mr.
Charles II. Otuy. who gave mis- direct testimony last
Monday. acknowledged that he had not heard any mem
Der Of the Washington "Emigrant Aid Society" advise
the exodus Kansas to Indiana, for
political purposes. except Mr. MendeDha and could not
name any other Republican IN Washington outside OF
Emigrant Aid Society who had advised or promoted
the exodus for political purposes He had never heard
Of any colored men, other than Perry. Williams and
Evans. who were engaged IN stirring up the coiored
thai the Baltimore and Oh0 Railroad Company
through their agents, are furnishing money 10 pay me
travelling Of these and that the company
pays premium OF ~ per head Tor each passenger
Carolina black and white Democrats and Republicans,
were opposed TO this exodus. A..
]. A. Bonz resident OF GolasDoro, anu .ne euUi
He said difficult 10 assign reason Tor the exodus
Of eoored people from North carolina IN 70
cited several instances where whte 1urymen bad SHOWN
se. 0e he saa
there existed belief among some OF the blacks II
North Carolina that penal laws were less severe IN In
M. I. Lewmsn, sheriff of Putnam County Indiana.
and a resident Of Greencaste, Indiana, produced
fr1nted circular which he obtained from on OF the
North Crona NJ .sr ae a s ne was
by the who gave IL TO him, has been circu
lated ouitr extensively among coored people North
Carolina IL urges them 10 Indiana setting forth
attractions OF that state, stating that It's climate
healthf that free schools for both races main
that coored and thal
the blacks and whites stand equal before the law ana
that thousands OF good arm-hands and houseservans
can readily ind employment at remuneraiive wages,
and especially urging those who contemplate coming TO
do so during the present Summer and Fan loi lSI9,,
so as get located in time to make their contracts Win
the farmers for next year"
secretary Sherman Was before the Senate Finance
Committee to-day response 10 their Invitation Tor an
ORAL rossion OF his the funding question,
ana also for the purpOse answering inquiries that
fh committee might desire TO address TO him IN regard
20 other financial topics The conference lasted three
hours or more. and took the form Of c0llOQual
dscussou partly with reference 10 funding. but mainly
On a wide spge OF other questions including the sub
iecs of silver coinage trade dollar, the proposed
fepea OF the legaI-tender power OF greenbacks the
workings OF the receipt OF United States noes
To- cnstoms duties the present condition OF the Treas
ury and the maintenance Of specie payments
HE Secrctary's remarks aside from the repetition OF
his we-kpown views In regard 10 funding. we're for
the meat part simply OF his last annual
port and OF the accompanying financial exhibits Tor the
year 1879. -. -. ,..