Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1889-07-12
Beet Culture.

Dctt Nultufc.
The cultivation Of sugar-beets is now
being experimental with in various
parts of our Territory and the indica-
tions, seems to prove, that those who
have taken the initiative in the raising
of them are meeting with the most
flattering success. The beet sugar pro-
duction has increased in late years to
an enormous extent. In 1858 the
crop was only reckoned at 100, 900 tons,
and in 1887 the output was, according
to an authority, estimated to have
reached 2,433,000 tons. Speaking of
this increase, a California paper, in a
review of the sugar-beet industry said
that "this enormous production did
not have the effect, as many suppose,
OF diminishing the output of cane
sugar, for the total product of the lat
ter during the same period increased
from 1,223,000 tons to 2,75l, 90 tons.
The effect of this enormous production
has been to greatly reduce prices.
Robert Griffin of the English Board of
Trade gives the reduction in that coun-
try during the period named at nearly
Dos. per cwt for raws, the price in 1850
being AS. 4d., and in 1888 averaging
23s. 5d. 1t is curious fact that this
enormous reduction in price has only
been viewed with hostility by the Eng
lish, who at one time loudly pro-
claimed their satisfaction with the re-
suits of the continental bounty system,
which they declared gave them cheap
sugar at the expense of other
nations paying the bounties. The
recent movement to abandon the
bounty system was made by the Eng
lish, and their object was to save from
destruction their cane sugar producing
colonies, and thus result in raising the
price OF sugar t0 consumers.
-
An exchange thus pointedly illus
trates some of the inequalities and alb
surdities of the present system of tax.
alton: "a few years ago n Chicago
capitalist bought the odd numbered
sections OF tract OF land ranging
from Pennington to Spangle, in Whit
man and Spokane counties, for which
he paid $3.50 per acre. Since that
time the land has been assessed as
uncultivated," and valued at the pur.
chase price. In the meantime the
even numbered sections. owned and
occupied by actual settlers, have been
improved, which has changed the
country from a wilderness to a pros.
porous farming district. The specula-
tors land is now thrown upon the mar
ket at an enormous price, and there
are plenty of buyers. That was agood
investment, and the Chicago man is
happy and is more than convinced that
wild land is the thing to invest in.
But how has the actual settler, whose
farm joined the SPECTATORS land Jared
during this time? He will tell you
that every dollar and every days work
invested in Improvements he has paid
taxes on. He had cow when he
started. The cow was taxed. The
COW had a calf. The calf was taxed.
He had to have team, plow and wa
gon. They were taxed. He had to
have house to live in. That was
taxed. He had to have fence to pro-
tect his crops. That was taxed. He
had to live there to attend to his inn
provements. He was taxed ~ year.
At every turn he was taxed for adding
to the general wealth Of the commu-
nifty, and enhancing the value OF the
SPECTATORS possessions. But he found
consolation in the fact that by his own
manly effort he had made his home
worth more than the same number of
acres of the speculator's land, and the
assessors books would prove it.
The English language is destined to
become, at no distant day, the univer-
sal spoken one. Though the French
has been used to great extent as a
court language, and has been accepted
as the proper thing in diplomatic cir
cles, yet the great arguments in favor
of the Anglo-Saxon tongue, as a uni
versal one does not lose force. In the
recent Samoan conference, held at Ber.
lin, the English language was called
into play. This was probably owing to
the fact that two of the powers repre-
sented were English speaking ones,
and that Germany's representative,
Herbert Bismarck, is as familiar with
English as he is with the language of
the Fatherland. No doubt, much OF
the success achieved by the America ms
at that international meeting OF diplo-
matists was owing to this fact. All
the discussions were carried on in Eng.
lish, and William Walter Phelps, our
ambassador at that conference, said
ave all found the good, old sturdy
Anglo-Saxon the most exact and salts
factory in which to touch delicate and
intricate points" This opinion is
shared by millions, and with consider
able show of reason. The French
language is, undoubtedly the most po-
lite, and on account of its power oi
evasion and concealment is the most
suitable, if diplomacy is considered to
be the art of duplicity. But things
are changing, and commercial matters
are gradually Icing interviewer into
the relations OF nations, that We pre-.
| diet IL will not be long before the