The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-25

| has lately been made with Mexico,
and only awaits Legislative action to
/ been concluded with spain, by which the
cuban sugars are to be received free OF duty.
1t thus appears that the United States is de-
termined TO give aims to all the poor sugar
growers in the world, even if by doing so
every sugar grower in this country Is re-
duced to abject poverty. 1t is time now for
the sorghum growers, the best sugar men.
and the Louisiana planters TO unite and call
halt to such a disastrous policy. The price
OF sugar Is now as low as any reasonable
men could ask.
ITO admit it free of duty would scarcely
make it any cheaper. The bankrupt plant
ers OF Cuba are crying for free trade with US,
not because they want Us to pay less for 81
gar, but in order that they may ask us moro
for il. The one and three-Quarters cents
pound that the duty would remove would nc
once fall into the eager pockets OF the bank
rupt Cubans. No free sugar from
the iSlands-none from Mexico-none
from Cuba-theSe should be the rallylng
cries of the friends of home Industries. The
danger from without comes from Europe
Under wise and judicious protection the
product of beet-Sugar in Europe has grown
to gigantic proportions. The people OF the
old world have not yet learned to eat sugar
With tine exception of the English, they do
not consume half as much per head as we
do. The result Is that they-the Germans, es-
pecially-make large quantities of sugar Tor
expectation. This has gone largely to En-
gland. As a consequence. England has taken
less and less of tropical sugar, and the sur
plus thus produC ed has found its way to
America. Thus our markets have been over
stocked with foreign sugar, producing a glut
and sending prices down to an unpreceuent-
eddy low figure.
Against all these adverse circumstances
the manufacturer of sorghum sugar has not
been able to successfully struggle. Never
before since sugar was made from sorghum
has it's prospects been so gloomy as now.
You are its friends. If now you are diSconr-
aged and give up the fight, many years VIII
elapse before il gets on its feet again. In the
midst of encouragement the plucky farmer
will seek out the cause of the difficulties and
the means of their removal. Therefore, AT
this great distance, / would say TO you there
is yet hope and a great future for sorghum
and the sugar industry of this country:
desire to express the hope that your meeting
may be pleasant and profitable, and that an
other season may see our favorite industry
removed from the troubles that now sur
round it,"
There was an animated discussion as to the
best varieties of seed, and as to their
adaptability for various classes of soils. The
outcome was the appointment OF Perma-
nent Committee on cane seed nomenclature.
During the discussion It was stated tnat
there were now known to growers sixty five
different varieties OF cane seed The Presl-
dent named MesSrs. c. NJ. Schawarz, of Ed
wardsviIle, Ill. w. p. Clement, of Sterling,
Kan, and f. Deeming, of Lafayette, as or
the Committee.
MARKETING OF SYRUP.
The marketing of syrup was next discussed.
The large manufacturers stated that they
had had considerable difficulty in finding
profitable market for large conSignmeEtS.
On the other hand, the farmers who manu-
facture the syrup agreed that there was no
trouble in finding local retail market for
this product, and at good prices, too, when
the quality of the syrup became known.
Mr.. Belcher proposed that the Chairman,
Treasurer and Secretary be appointed as
committee to superintend the publication OF
the Conventions proceedings. The motion
was seconded by Mr.. Baldwin, of Illinois, and
agreed TO by the Convention.
Mr.. f. NJ. Deeming, of Indiana, proposed a
resolution setting forth the interest OF the
Sugar growers Association and all other
agricultural associations in the appointments
of Commissioner of Agriculture, and further
setting forth that the Association took pleas
ure in presenting the name of Governor Nor
man j. Colman, for several years its Presi-
dent, not only on account OF the deep inter-
est he had manifested in the National sugar
industry, but likewise because he had ever
manifested the same interest in the develop
ment OF every branch of agriculture, horti-
culture, and the importation, breeding ana
rearing of domestic animals.
Other speakers strongly supported the
resolution, and urged that man from the
West ought to be appointed to the office.
The President had withdrawn from the
chair during the discussion. Mr.. Gillespie
put the motion, which was adopted with en-
thusiasm. 1t was carried, and 1t was decided
that the Secretary OF the association be IN
structed to present Il copy of the resolution
to Grover Cleveland, President elect of the
United States, and to ask from him q favor
able consideration.
The President thanked the Convention for
the resolution they had passed II he had
the good fortune to be appointed to the Of
flee of Commissioner of Agriculture, he
hoped the confidence they had shown in him
would not be forfeited.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
The Convention then proceeded to the
election of officers: Colonel Norman j. Col
man was again unanimously elected Presi-
dent of The Association. Mr.. +. Il. Giles
pie of Edwardsville, was elected as Sec
retary and Mr.. +. W. Deeming, of Indiana.
as Treasurer. MeSsrS. q. e.. W. Belcher, of
st. Louis; Edward j. Gay, of Louisiana; \.
J. Decker, of Iowa; George W. Gere, OF
Champaign, ILL.,, and W. Il. Clement, of Ster-
ling Kan. were named by the President as
the Executive Committee.
The President announced that he had re-
ceYed a communication from the Louisiana
Sugar Planters Association. inviting the |
members of the Sugar growers Association |
who visited the New Orleans Exposition to |
make themselves 'at home" at their head |
quarters, and intmating that . committee |
had been deputed to receive them on their |
arrival in the Crescent CITY.
VINEGAR.
In their report the Committee on Sa.rplns |
called attention to the vinegar made from the |
skiHmings taken in the process OF syrup
duced was equal, and by maay persons con- |
sidered superior, to cider vinegar. The skim |
mings were wasted by many sorghum grow
ers, but IN these present times of close mar |
gins in the syrup business should be utilized |
either as base Tor vinegar, 4 fertilizer, or rs |
food for hogs. The report was adopted by |
the Convention.
This concluded the actual business of the |
Convention. y number of short .pcecEcS |
were aftcrward made.
The Convention then adjourned.