, 1893-02-01

the asking of SIC. for centrifugals, and the
opening year may see this price paid ere
long, for the supplies for early requirements
are not large enough to prevent continuet
purchases even at full prices.
We have not completed our figures Of con-
sumption for the past year, but think they
will show no increase, and not much decrease
either. Standing at the threshold Of y new
year, it may be- we'll to look into the future "a
| tile and see W hat is awaiting the sugar trade.
First and foremost is the tariff question. 1t
appears to BE taken for granted that q change
of some kind will he made Ill sugar, and that
this change VII be from free sugar To- a
duty. A great many diff Julties must 10 over
come, however, before a duty can be placed OH
sugar again and be app owed IF by the people.
The necessities Of the government must lao
shown to be OF \ sta Ting natlre before this
people will tie reconciled to going back tn
former prices and deere 8 d consumption.
Our Washington inform ton is that tina
startling exhibit Of government news will DO
forthcoming at the critic time, ant do duty
to help along the sugar tariff agitation.
The general sentiment among democratic
senators and members Of the house undoubted-
~ is that a duty of one cont a pound on raw
sugars of all grades is imperative, and that the
bounty to tho producers of sugar in the Unit
ed States must be repealed.
Just how9to bring this about is the absOl b.
ing question. Mr.. Harter has the floor at the
m)ment with his bill for &c. per ID. for the
duty on all sugars, but as this figure would
give no adequate revenue for the Ross of ere
ciprocity," it is proposed TO amend this bill 30
as to make it read | cent, orr as some say IL
cents per pound. Louisiana is well repre-
sented at Washington, and, having EAads. up
their minds in advance that the bounty muat
AI-.--I g.. - a rnoOoC an -
thew will endeavour to obtain ss high a. duty
on sugar a. possible. tu@eIr
There ale no Indications as to what will::bS
the duty ON refined sugar if allnraws, pay.l
cent a pound. 1t is evident that sugars will
not be- allowed to rest until an extractor re-
gular session of the new administration, but
will begin to receive attention almost right
away in January. A good deal of preliminary
work must be done to prepare the public
mind for a duty on sugar. 1t can't be over.
looked that the people have been working for
twenty-five yeafs for the blessings4 OF !, free
sugar bowl, and very dire distress. Of the
treasury must be wrought ont in, the coming
menths before a duty can be 'aimpesed. But
the new adminiAtratio is probably equal to
this contingency, and hence q duty on sugar
NAV become one of the gifts Of 1898. .e
If s. duty is reimposed on sugar, then the re-
neal Of the bounty law and all hat it inyolA es
may be another gift of the new year. Turning
attention to the supplies Of sugar for the com
ING year we find a smaller beet root crop al.
ready assured, a smaller car 9 crop in Cuba
generally anticipated. and as a whole, a.pro-
du6tion Of the world less than last year. II
consumption is reduced by the assessment Of
duty ii 9 supplies may prove sufficient. for re-
onirements, but other wise not, and it lie a fair
anticipation that prices Of IAN sugar vii
sometime in 1899 be NJ n considerably higher
point than they stat at the opening.
Refined sugars must nstnlatly follow the
coul Sc of avs, but duty or no duty or refined
above that on raWS is an impenetrable seo,rt
at the opening Of the year, ard must exesciae
a decided influence, as il Is developing during
the wear which it shall be. 1t must not be
forgotten that Senator McPhsrson's amend
ment of free sugar, and the free wool bill, 10 row
being considered by the finance. committee Of
the senate, and that Mr.. Harter's till makes
no provision for protection against foreign
refined. eet 4 W.
Any bill emanating from thf ways and mesns
committee will be of special interest in rs
application to Tt fined sugar.
Total stock i'll the four ports on the 2>th CT
D ecember was 40, lis tons. against G8 1863
tons,a at same time last year, Total stock III
all the principal countries ~ the LATEST nne~eN