New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-07-08
SUNDAY EDITION.
JULY 8, 1888.
THE TARIFF ON SUGAR
DEBATE ON MIR cANNoN's AMENDMENT.
SPEECHES FOR AND AGAINST THE SUGAR BOUNTY
CLAUsE-TuE AMENDMENT AND THE
REPUBLICAN, PLATFORM

CLAUsE-TDE AMENDMENT AND THE
REPUBLICAN, PLATFORM.
Washington, July Special. Tho debate on the
sugar duties IN the House to-day was opened in
vigorous way by Judge Kelley, who spoke in oppo-
sltlon to the Cannon amendment. lie is opposed not
only to the proposed system of boUnes but 10 any
reduction OF the sugar duties lie spoke Of the
bounty system an imperial system inirnical to
republican institutions. Some OF the friends OF tho
amendment are disposed to complain that the Judge
IS Inconsistent inasmuch as he has advocated and
voted for steamship bounties In the past. Judge
Kelley was followed by Mr. McKcnna, Of California,
I'm opposition to the Cannon amendment. lie IS
good speaker and commanded the close attention Of
the House. The force OF Mr. McKenna's argument
was broken somewhat by the fact that he comes
from State which for many years has enjoyed tho
benefits OF flee admission OF sugar under the Hawaiian
Treaty and which has been thereby enabled to control
the sugar market of the Pacific Coast and OF largo
area east OF the mountains.
Mr. Cannon replied to Mr. Kelley and McKenna
In an impassonod speech, I'm which he defended him
self successfully against their accusations that his
amendment f. not in harmony with the Republican
platform. lie declared that the tariff sugar Is
tariff for revenue only, and said that in the coming
campaign Democratic orators from ono end OF the
country the other VIII be bowling about the 4Sper
cent tariff for protection when onethrd Of all tho
duties collected are sugar at so per cent under
purely revenue tariff The Louisiana cane growers.
thr sorghum and beet growers Of the North would 10
protected under his amendment. The sugar trust,
of course, would oppose t. and he supposed the Cali
fornia who own sugar plantations in Hawaii
would not approve It, because the value of their
product IS doubled b. the present revenue tariff as
as 1t touches the wharves OF Francisco. Mr.
Cannon thon read the plank OF the Republican plat
form in opposition to trusts and combinations, and
commended 1t to the consideration Of the Democrats
as well as OF Judge Kelley and Mr.. McKenna. Mr.
Cannon spoke with great earnestncss and energy and
was rewarded with frequent applause
Judge Peters, who represents one of the great
sorghum growing districts Of Kansas, delivered an
eloquent address in behalf Of that Industry and
In opposition to the amendment, taking the ground
that the bounty system would be insecure and that
capitalists could not be induced to invest money in
sorghum plants in the face Of such an uncertainty
Ie said that before the agitation OF this question
began arrangements nearly perfected for tho
building Of ten new sorghum mills in Kansas. In
consequence of that agitation who TO furnish
capital had determined to walt until the question Is
settled, so that only two mills building and
the area of sorghum production Will be limited to that
extent. This was a blow at the Kansas farmer, who
found sorghum more profitable :han any other crop.
Ex-Governor Gear, Of Iowa, delivered his maiden
speech in the House in favor of the Cannon amend
mcnt He said that the entire area in sugar cane in
this country last year was not large ten Iowa
direct tax on the consumer. In fifty years tho
entire sugar production Of the United States has
amounted to only $500 0o0O 600, while in fifteen years
neceeaary of life has exceeded 100000 900.
Every consumer OF refined sugar to-day
is obliged to pay about two and half cents per pound
as TO sOrghau that its production is confined
Kansas that it can bs and is grown I'm Iowa, Minnesota
and Wisconsin, and that the bounty system would moo
be mop unstable than the tariff with tho Democratic
party In power.
Genera Mcpherson, Of Iowa. followed In an eloquent
speech in favor OF the amendment, in which he took
the ground that after an expenditure by the Govern
ment Of three hundred thousand dollars in
penments. assurance con be given that domestic
production will ever be able To supply domestic con-
sumption. Whenever that proof should be forth.
coming the domestic producer need have no fear that
his interests would not be protected.
The debate continued the Republican sldo
by Messrs Kerr, Funston Ryan, Anderson and Bayna,
and then, for the first time to-day. Democrat took
the floor in the person of Breckenridge, OF Kentucky.
lie pleaded. almost tcarfully. in behalf Of the sugar
refners who. he said have invested millions of dollars
I'm the refining industry. lie admitted that the sga-
duty Is tariff for revenue only, but said that the
filming industry must be preserved. lie also admitted
that great sugar trust exists which controls prices
and adds the burdens Of the consumers Of sugar.
But" he continued. II we remove these duties, We
shall be unable 70 give the wOOllen manufacturers
free wool. to remove other tariff burdens favor
grower and want him to have stable market, This
caused a Of derislye laughter the Republican
side and received with uproarous applause by
thp Free Traders.