The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1889-08-10
The Republicans and the Sugar Tariff.

The Republicans and the Sugar Tariff.
Now that the Republicans are deter
mined to make the fight in the Third
Congressional District as the 'avowed
friends of sugar, it will be interesting
to note the sentiments of the leaders Of
the party with regard to the future Re-
publican policy toward sugar. The
acton OF the Senate during the last
session of Congress in advocating the
abandonment Of the sugar duty alto
gether and the substitution of q boun-
ty Is a fact we'll known to sugar plan
tiers, and although some of the party
managers among the Republicans in
the sugar districts are disposed to be-
little the Importance of that action
ana characterize it as a mere ruse, the
u~sterances of people near to the pre-
sent administration clearly prove that
the Republican programme for the
next Congress embrace the utter ami
hllation of the sugar duties. In fact
s1ch a course will be absolutely nee
essary If the managers hope to pre-
serve the tariff on the highly protect
ed industries of the North.
The New York Press, the paper of
Mi. Porter, the superintendent of the
Census and one of the recent appoint
ees Of President Harrison, has the fol-
lowing on sugar:
Yes, sugar is protected, and what is more,
the rate OF duty on sugar at the present time
IS nearly double that which the representa-
lives OF the Louisiana sugar interests said in
lSsz, in their testimony before the Tariff
commission, would yield a reasonable pro-
mt and enable the lanters to put in new and
modern machinery. Indeed, sugar is doubly
protected. although we produce only about
tected by a duty and protected by an infam-
Gus sugar trust, and as If this were not
enough to insure the protection of sugar, it
Is protected by most of the revenue reform
the esteemed Post, which represent in no
small degree the sugar trust which il wiring
ing, millions from the masses of the people
sugar trust is protscted by some Of the most
eminent free traders OF the country.
Fearing to be misunderstood the
Press goes OH to say III answer to the
inquiries of a correspondent on this
very matter:
You say that The Press states that 'hiyh
duties benefit the poor" SO they do when
we are able to manufacture or produce a
large per cent OF IA certain product here at
home, where hundreds of e~nterprising, ener-
getic shrewd American business men are
compelled to compete in the home market.
But with sugar it is different. Ninety per
the home product is not sufficient to appre-
ciably affect the price, while Il few firms have
entire control OF the manufacture and REIN
ing of sugar.
Aud still further in the same article
The Press adds:
Tut reason for the discrepancy you refer
to in our last sentence is that the Democrat
ic party has persistently refused to allow
sugar to be touched. 1t has encouraged the
sugar trust becaused it is Il Democratic in
terest. Many Republican leaders are in
favor OF putting sugar on the free list. allow
ing q bounty to the Louisiana grower. There
Is undoubtedly true craftsmanship in a poll
cy OF this kind.
B. 1t is therefore admitted by the New
York Press, a journal owned and
edited by a federal Office holder high
in favor with the administration that
the protection of sugar is a Democrat
IL measure, and that the true Repub-
lican policy is to put sugar on the free
list. ,3 n
This is but II single example OF the
agitation now being carried on in the
Republican press against sugar, and it
is an amusing spectacle to see the par
ty leaders c%oquetting with the plan
tiers in the South and denouncing
them in the North. Should a Repub-
lican congressman be elected in the
Third District he will be in the un.
pleasant predicament of having eth
er to stay out of the Republican eau
Gus or pledge himself to vote to put
sugar OH the free list. These are facts
that. it behooves the planters to con
slider well.-Picaysae.