Wichita eagle., 1888-11-24
KANSAS TO THE FRONT.
From the New Orleans Item.

From the New Orleans Item.
The Item has maintained for some
time that the development Of the sor-
ghum industry in Kansas would exert a
powerful influence for the continuance
of an adequate protection upon the do
nestle sugar industry. Our opinion
was sustained by the report of the SEN
ate finance committee, which stated that
the sugar interests would have been
much more harshly dealt with but for
the Kansas people.
Under the changed aspect of affairs
| Kansas will be in better position than
ever to prevent any reduction of the ia
riff sufficiently great to be damaging to
! the sugar industry. Senator Plumb and
! four representatives of that state
are enthusiastic over the success of the
sorghum factories, and the senator has
expressed his conviction that in five
years Kansas would equal louisiana as a
sugar producing state.
There is no money made in raising
wheat in Kansas. or, for that matter, in
any other western state. if reports are
true. and sorghum is looked upon as the
industry which will prove the salvation
of the farmers. In the dawn of this new
prosperity it would seem impossible that
the Kansas congressman would permit
any legislation subverSlve of their infant
industry.
Kansas can hardly be called doubtful
state, as it gave Harrison over eighty
thousand majority. Still it will have
potent voice in federal legislation, and is
strong enough to command considera-
ton.
Kansas has seven representatives, four
of whom, Messrs. Funston, Ryan, An
derson and Peters, took an active part III
defending the sugar tariff during the
last session Of congress. These mem
voted, it is true, for the amendment to
cut sugar so per cent. But knowing
that the Republican amendment would
fail to pass it is most likely that they did
not care to take issue with their party on
matter that could be of no practical
consequence.
Now, however, the conditions are very
different. and Kansas will have the same
reason to expect for its sugar interests
the same consideration from the Repub
licans that was accorded by the Demo-
Gratis to Louisiana. The Republican ma
iority in the house will be so small that
few Kansas independents might make |
things lively for the dominant party.
The Item is firmly convinced that the |
Kansas representatives will consent to |
no change in the tariff that would be !
injurious to the development of the sor-
ghum industry. 1t becomes important, |
therefore, to prove to these representa- |
tives that any large reduction would have |
a very depressing if not Immediately |
fatal effect.
Although the sorghum industry is be-
coming firmly established, there is a |
good deal of nonsense talked by the /
Kansas boomers. For instance, the /
assertion has been made that sorghum
sugar could be produced for one cent a
pound The largest factory III Kansas
made this year 400, 600 pounds of sugar.
At one cent a pound this would give
$4,000; not enough to pay five per cent
interest on the cost of the factory. with
out taking into consideration the pur-
chase of the sorghum and expense Of
manufacture.
The Kansas factories got about 9 cents
a pound for their sugar this year. Two
cents of this was state bounty and one
and half cents was from the advantage
of local market: for the sugar was not
worth over 1-2 cents In any OF the great
markets. Before the crop reaches the
production of louisiana these advan-
tages VIII be swept away and the mar
ket will be pulled down in harvest sea-
son. as it is here, below normal prices.
Under such circumstances, at present
London prices. the sorghum factories
would get not more than from 1-2 TO .
cents a pound. 1t would be well for
Kansas producers to calculate how much
of tariff reduction they could stand on
such figures.
. Ii wound be good plan for the Kan
sas factories. without boastng Of what
they can do, TO send TO their congress
man a statement of what II cost them 70
make sugar, giving the outlay for sor-
ghum. labor, fuel, oil, cooperage, etc,
and stating the cost of buildings, ma
chiner.. repairs, etc. Then put down
the product in sugar and nolasses, est
mating its value at prices ruling IN the
great sugar markets of the United States.
With such a showing before them The
Item is confident that the Kansas repre-
would resist strenuousiy. and
no doubt successfully, any Large reduc-
ton OF the sugar duties.
Manaroya lodge No. 40, &. OF p, OF
FL Dorado, dedicated the magnificent
new city hall In that place last Tuesday