Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1884-03-01

favorably To these should be added
our representatives at Washington,
Messts. Carter and Smith, aided by
Colonel Spalding, who have all sought
TO present only the truth, relying on
the intelligence Of American statesmen
in any decision they might make when
the facts are honestly presented to
them
We append an article on the ques
tion OF sugar import duty in the United
States. 1t is from Republican paper
in general accord with the adminstra-
tion and Of conservative opinionn on the
tariff question.
The aim OF all Legislation should be the
creates good of the greatest number As
sugar Is necessary article of consumption
from childhood To old age, to- lessen the cost of
sugar would benefit the entire population. As
ali are consumers, they are The class whose in.
tarests are to be consulted. 1t It not sur
pdsing. therefore, to find an overwhelming
prepondemnoe OF public opinion in favor Of
reduction Of the present high rates Of duty
on sugars.
In what form that reduction should he made
i, a matter about which the redners import.
efs, the sellers and consumers. have never
agreed. Considering the question from the
standpoint of the consumer, the method Of re
iuciiou is not so important as its amount.
Sugars now pay an average duty Of abort ~
cents per pound
All sugars not above 30. g Dutch standard
in color, and tested by the polarscope not
above seycay.Gvc degrees, pay duty of
4o.roo cents per pound For every addi-
tional degree OF fraction Of degree as shown
by the po'ariscope, they pay 400 Of cent
per pour additional. All sugars above No.
I5 and ot above No. 10 Dutch Standard pay
, $50 cents per pound. All sugars above
No. 10 and not above No. 20 Dutch standard,
pay cents per pound, and sugars above No.
20 pay 3 5o-Ioo cents.
The first thought that occurs 10 the un
initiated mind is that this machinery is un-
necessarily complicated. Sugars are graded
by the two standards of color and sacchurine
strength (; they pay seven or eight different
fractional rates, which fractions are exceed
iugly troublesome in classifcations and liluida-
tons. The only substantial argument used by
Scion Ilumphries and other high authorities
who seem to favor this complex system is
that sugar, like alcoholic spirits, silks, etc.,
should be taxed according to value or saccha-
rine substance. They admit, however, that it
would not be a violent departure from the
principle of ad galoJvm taxation to dispense
with the fractions and have sugars pay the
three rates OF one, two and three cents per
pound.
As almost all sugars now imported fall be.
low No. - Dutch standard, duty oi one cent
per pound ought to satisfy the most advanced
ievenuc rcformcrs. 1t would be an important
step in the direction Of simpli6caton, and
would greatly facilitate the practical adjust
ment of the sugar duties. The most serious
objection TO the proposed modification is that
it leaves unrcmoved the old danger Of frauds
aminers, samplers, and other customs officers.
As the duties on single cargo of sugar amount
to many thousands OF dollars, hundreds of
dollars could be prohaby paid government
agents by importers to bring about changes in
| Considerations. Such temptations should he
removed from men who are on salaries as low
as SIoo per month
The only effecual protection against all pos
sbe corruption would he a uniform specific
rate Of duty on all sugars p(, say, one cent and
a quarter per pound. This form of tax would
be the simplest, most easily collectablc, and
would afford ample revenue.
But, whatever the plan Of reduction adopted
| by congress, the amount Of reduction should
be sufficient TO put an end to the adulterations
Of sugar. 1t is estimated that the sugar duties
must be reduced half in order to drive out
! OF existence the glucose manufactures that are
now established in sixo seven states. AT Peoria,
Illinois, they are daily adulterating two.
iilths Of the sugar consumed in the entire
state This is fraud on the consumer that
should not be continued under the sanction OF
law. Other adulterations, especially injurious
10 young children, are being practiced and de
vised. Din, glucose and sand are perhaps the
leas, injurious Of these vile ingredients. Such
tricks and impositions are made profitable be-
cause of the high.tarif taxes on imported
sugars. What the people want is better sugar
and cheaper sugar, This popular demand in
the interest Of health, honesty and economy
will be felt in congress ii the press is vigilant
and faithful TO duty.-Ftank Leshf'S Ne7Os-
paper.
"lhe physician engaged by the
board OF health to act in conjunction
with the secretary OF that body to ex-
anime into the health of the children
attending the Royal School, has com
pleted his labors, but no official report
has yet been published" said the
Gazette of last Wednesday. Our es-
teemed contemporary was misintormcd.
Doctor Emerson and Mr.. Parker were
not through their examination at noon
of yesterday.
The last report of the Kansas State
Board OF Agriculture gives an account
OF very satisfactory progress in the cul-
tivatlon of sorghum, and the manu-
facture of syrup therefrom. In the
State 10000 acres were planted in
sorghum, the product Of 4S,a7I acres
which was made into syrup, producing
4,oS4 o23 gallons, valued at $2,o5S,Ia7
being something over $40 per acre,
The Italian Supreme Court has