The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1893-04-27
THE ARGUMENT OF COIN.
A Star Correspondent Replies to a
Bulletin Writer

EDITOR STAR Il was pleased to
observe the change in the tone of our
evening contemporary last evening. In
place of the usual bill of fare consisting
of royaliSt canaydS, seasoned with spite
full personalities, we have something
approaching rational discussion Of the
probable effects of the inevitable change
which is approaching The commun.
cation signed Industry" is temper
ate and well written statement of the
views Of an ultra. conservative sugar
man, and merits respectful treatment.
1t is, however, one-sided and mar
row presentation ofthe case. 1t ignoreS
the fundamental fact that annexation is
the only possible method of securing a
permanent good and stable govern
ment, without which neither sugar nor
any other industry can thrive. The
flag Of freedom will guarantee peace
and order, put an end to revolutions
and conspiracies, remove the race ques-
ton from politics, and afford a securi-
ty to capital that cannot be gained in
any OlntT way.
Again, his statistics, prepared last
year, at time of extreme depression,
do not furnish a fair basis of calcula.
ton. Thus he estimates the value Of
the sugar crop of 1898, amounting to
$50, 900 tons, at only $4,000, 900, which
would be an average of 2 $40 cents
per pound or $40 per ton, Now it is
safe to say that the total sales for last
year averaged over $50 ton, and the
present price at the coast is SIS ton.
Even assuming that the price for this
year will not average above 500 ton,
that will give total value of 81, $780,
900. His estimate of expenses in
cludes an item of interest on bonds and
advances Of $500 which certainly
does not belong to the cost Of pro-
duction. Deducting this, leaves S.
100000 as the total cost Of the CROP
which is probably fair estimate. The
"hitherto largest plantation in this
country, which has so often been p. int.
ed at with pride" never elrned a divi-
dend even before the passage Of the
Mckinley tariff, But its reported de-
icit Of $24o, 900 for last year, included
interest on an enormous debt, and did
not represent can actual loss on its
crop" if we are correctly informed
We agree with friend "Industry' thSt
the system Of high tariff and houuties
in the United States is doomed, and
that reasonable rate of duty viii be
reimposed on sugars imported from
foreign countries The reciprocal "cnn.
ventions" that have been entered into
by the UniteS States with sugar-produc
ing countries, can be terminated 10y a
six months notice, which no doubt viii
be given if the bounty is abrogated
As for the Sugar Trust, it will moi dea
worse with us in the Union than il
would if we remained outside of il
His comparison of our advantages will
those of Louisiana is very mise ding
Certainly labor in that State cannot be
obtained at SIS a month, to say thinl
of the unreliable character Of free Negro
labor. Nor is true that the planter
there gets two crops to our one. II,
is obliged to replant every spring; hi
cane never really ripens before fr S
comes, and his product of sugar pc
acre is I tons, which is third Of on
average, while some OF the plantations
obtain s tons to the acre from hundred
of acres. We need not fear to take gu
chances with Louisiana on equal terms
But annexation will be a godserd to
/. number of other industries ard will
help to create a class OF small land
holders and farmers, which has beer