The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1890-03-15

The Real Facts Relative to the United
States Sugar Duties.
Mr.. EDITOR: In view of the vast ex-
tent and the numerous interests Of the
United States and the complex ma
chinery of it's government and politics, it
is not strange that even intelligent men
of other countries often misunderstood
it's lines of policy and the intent of its
measures. 1t is very certain that its
revenue and tariff policy is often incor-
rectly appreciated abroad.
To correct wrong impressions which
may be entertained by the Hawaiian
public as to the probable course OF the
United States relative to tariff legislation
in the future, is the object Of this COM
Facts overwhelming and conclusive
show, that the American system of pro-
lection is sure to be the policy OF that
government for long time to come. 1t
is certain that its future wants will re-
quire from 800 900 900 to $500, 900 900
annual revenue Direct taxation to sup
ply the National Treasury is thoroughly
exploded idea among Americans, and no
political party or body of statesmen
could possibly win public support by
advocating that method of obtaining the
funds of the government. The internal
revenue policy has always been regarded
as temporary, except as to liquors, so
much of which may or may not be re-
tanned. The chief source of the revenue
will continue to be, as it has been from
the foundation of the republic, the tax
on foreign importations. The public
sentiment of the United States is
thoroughly educated to the determine
ton to sustain the national legislators to
so tax foreign imports as to protect the
products OF the United States, and this
determination was never SO strong as to-
day, having crystalized into policy as
solid as adamant. This policy has been
established and is sustained, not by the
force of :" the rich manufacturers !"
chiefly, but by the settled resolution of
the vast body of intelligent workingmen,
artizans and agriculturists, who are the
real rulers of the country, and who are
prospecting under protection as no siml
lar body of men have ever prospered in
any age of the world. Tea and coffee
are admitted free, because they are not
produced in the United States and are
used by the entire people.
Sugar is a prime necessity of the Am
erican masses, but high duty has long
been imposed upon it because it has long
been produced on American plantations,
and the hope has been cherished that its
production would increase. The reasons
why the sugar duty will not be abolished
have their foundation on permanent facts,
Not only do the former reasons remain
for its continuance, but new and impor-
tant additional reasons have come into
play and are increasing. Not only the
cane lands are still far from being brought
into use, but the hope of making sugar
from beet and sorghum is exerting q
strong influence in California, Kansas,
Indiana, and other Western States.
These States are rapidly becoming more
influential in the politics of the country
The reasons which caused the Democrats
to unite with the Republicans in protect
ing sugar interests in Louisiana, hold the
dominant political men of the country to
protect the growing sugar prospects of
California, Kansas and other beet and
sorghum growing States.
In addition to these reasons stands the
fact, that the $50, 0OO, 900 or $40, 600 600
annual revenue secured by the sugar
tariff is easily collected and at very smalI
expense. Besides, the public belief is
that the removal Of the duty would help
the consumers little, but that the bene-
fits would chiefly accrue to the foreign
producers and to the sugar trust, as to
both OF which there is no special affec-
ton among the American masses who
control national legislation. The present
very high tariff on sugar may not be
maintained, for it is now exceptionally
heavy as compared with the general
average on other articles. There is no
probability of its being reduced below
fifty per cent, which is ample for the
protection of Americans and their COM
mercial allies There is not the remot-
est probability that the present or follow
ing generation will see the sugar tariff
abolished or reduced below this figure.
The wonderful increase of population
in the United States is rapidly augment