Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-07-27
A FEW MORE WORDS ABOUT SUGAR.

No apology is necessary for keeping
before our readers the true position OF
the sugar question. Free-traders, and
politicians who think more Of swimming
with the tide than of promoting the pub
lie good, have confused the question OF
the importance of raising our own sugar
with that of dealing with the Sugar
Trust, until both are treated as one,
when they are in fact wholly distinct.
In view of the growing consumption
of sugar for food and for manufacture
ing purposes, it is within the truth to
say that sugar culture has become the
most promising filed for application Of
the American protective policy. The
advantages to be gained by the estab-
lishment of this industry are two-fold:
First, to afford relief from the greatest
burden Of expenditure which this nation
now Iabors under, Second, to develop
within our borders a source OF wealth to
the people which has few, if indeed, any
rivals.
The expenditures of this country for
foreign sugar now amount 10 about S75,-
100000 per annum. With increasing
population and growing per capita con-
sumption this amount will rapidly IN
crease. Within ten years it is probable
that it will rise to 800, 100000. That
this and even larger sum will be re-
quired to pay for foreign sugar when
our population reaches SO, 100000 cannot
be doubted, unless in the meantime we
develop the production Of sugar at home.
The importance of domestic sugar cul-
ture cannot well be exaggerated. Every
part of this country is adapted to it. 1t
can in no sense be considered an exotic.
The cane, the beet and the sorghum are
all as favorably situated for vigorous
growth in certain parts of this country
as in any other country. The produc-
ton Of sugar here would also have
special advantages to our peo-
pie over almost every other in
dustry by its widespread contributions to
other collateral industries. 1t would not
only benefit the farmer with crop of
unequaled value to the acre, but would
involve in its manufacture the employ
ment Of men, Of capital and machinery,
with results equally advantageous with
those which would benefit the farmer.
The vast Importance of the sugar in
dustry, the perfect adaptation of our
people and our country to its prosecu-
ton; the advantages it offers as means
of enriching the people and bringing
greater diversities to their pursuits can
not be gainsaid.
Other countries far less favorably sit
uated than the United States have rec
ognized the advantanes of producing
within their own borders this essential
article of food, and thereby maintaining
their independence Of foreign supplies.
To do this Germany has expended mil
lions of dollars in the development of the
sugar beet and methods of producing SUI
gar therefrom, but her efforts have been
crowned with success.
As far as the sorghum sugar industry
in this and other cities is concerned, it
has been carried to a point that estab-
fishes its practicability beyond question,
despite the efforts of the skeptical to cast
doubts upon it; and, as we have said
before, ali that Is necessary to make the
industry one of the most profitable we
have is that retineries be established to
prepare the crude article for the market.
That this will be done in due time the
EAGLE has no doubt.