Los Angeles herald., 1890-04-17

mestic product, substantially to the ex-
tent OF our wants.
''In 1889 the duties collected on i'm
ported sugar and'molasses amounted to
$55,975, ,610. Add to this the increase in
the price of domestic sugar arising from
the duty, and it is clear that the duty on
sugar and molasses made the cost of
sugar and molasses at least $64, 900 900,
or about 81 for each man, woman and
child in the United States more than it
would have been if no such duties had
been levied and the domestic product
had remained.
Even on the assumption that, with
proper encouragement, we shall eventu-
ally be able to produce all, or nearly all,
the sugar required for consumption by
our people, this encouragement can be
given more economically and effectually
by bounty of 2 cents per pound, in
volving an expenditure of but little
more than 100000 per annum with
the present production of sugar in this
country, than by, the present imposition
of a duty involving the collection of
year, not to mention the amounts indi-
rectly involved
''In providing that not only raw sugar,
but also sugar including No. Is, be ad-
mitted free of duty, opportunity is given
for the free introduction of yellow sugars
suited for family use, an arrangement
which will secure to the people sugar at
the lowest price existing in the markets
Of the world, while even imported white
refined sugar will be subject to duty of
only four-tenths of cent per pound"
Agricultural Products.
Coming to agricultural products the
report says the committee has given
most OF it's investigation to the existing
conditions of agriculture and kindred
matters. Referring to the widespread
depression in this industry, the report
says: "The enemies OF the protective
system have no word of criticism for the
real causes of agricultural depression
no suggestion of relief from the real bur-
dens which are weighing it down today,
but seizing the present as favorable
time, they solemnly charge that the de-
cline in our market is solely due to the
tariff. They are pleased to ignore the
fact that one of the purposes of the pro-
tective tariff is to hinder the still larger
importation of foreign produce, and thus
save the market still greater depression.
But your committee, sensible to the i'm
portance of this industry, prompted by
the single motive to lift it to the highest
level OF profitable employment, believe
they offer in the bill all the relief which
tariff legislation can give to it. A critical
examination of the subject shows that
agriculture is suffering chiefly from
damaging foreign competition in the
home market. The increase in the i'm
portations of agricultural products since
1850, had been enormous, mounting from
$40 100000 to more than 1856, ,000, 900.
The worlds market, to which the advo-
Gates of tariff for revenue only invite
the farmers of this country, is today
crowded with the products of the cheap
est human labor that exists. All over
the old world there is q rush of surplus
to that market, and it is to such a con-
test as this that, the free-trade world
would allure American agriculture.
"With the foreign grain market under
the sway of such oppressive competi-
tiOn with the foreign cattle and pork
market depressed and obstructed by
various ruinOus measures of restriction
with foreign agricultural products
crowding our home market, your COM
mittee have recommended an increase
upon agricultural products.
Bounties on Silk.
"With the of increasing the num-
Der of gainful occupations open to the
farmer, the committee has recommended
bounty to the growers of silk. AS
duty of 81 per pound would be required
and reeler, the committee, seeing that
high duty would embarrass the silk
weaving interests without sufficient
reason, and to secure the industry as
speedily as possible, offers the necessary
differential bounty of $16 per pound, or
about 20 per cent. protection, on reeled
silk. The report says: ''To produce our
annual importations of reeled silk will
require $4,000 basins, and give work to
oyer 10000 persons in the different
branches of the industry. To produce
the cocoons necessary to supply this silk
will give temporary but remunerative
employment to the families of half a
million farmers every season.
''To encourage production of cocoons
and give direct encouragement to pro-
ducers, the committee has also provided
bounty of seven cents pound on fresh
cocoons, the bounty to continue ten
years."
Of the internal revenue sections, the
committee says it recommended the re-
peal of all statutes imposing restrictions
upon farmers and growers of tobacco !;
they may sell with freedom.
In conclusion the report says: "The
advance of duties on agricultural prod
ucts are for the most part on articles
which this country can produce to the
extent of our wants; the increased duty
will reduce the importations SO that the
revenues will not be increased, and our
farmers will hold their own markets.
The same result will follow in other
cases of increase, and where the revenue
in special cases of increase will be far
less than indicated by computations
based on the theory that the importa-
tions will continue as large as under
lower duties.
THE MINORITY REPORT.
A Vigorous Protest Against the BilPs
Absurdities.
The minority report is signed by all