Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1894-08-11
THE TAX ON SUGAR.
why the Republicans Stick So Closely I
the Mckinley Bill.

why the Republicans Stick So Closely to
the Mckinley Dill.
II Is obvious that the alluring shib-
boleth, "a free breakfast table" Is the
influencing cause of much Of the oppo-
sition to the sugar tax in the pending
tariff bill. There Is q fascination in
the idea that the essential elements OF
the poor mans matutinal meal shall
be exempt from all elements that might
add to Its cost, and there is a more or
less widely diffused delusion that I'M
der the present law sugar is free from
taxation. But, as a matter OF fact, 1t
Is taxed to an extent without parallel.
The two cents a pound bounty to the
growers of raw sugar and the five
tenths Of q cen tariff on all the prod
uSts Of the sugar trust combine to
create an enormous levy, and, though
It 10 collected on the clothing and
blankets of .he people, aud is present
cd bodily to the benefcisries, does not
In the least degree alter the facts in
the Gaze, II is a tax just the same, and
q tax that 10 criminal because 1t is an
unconstitutional robbery.
The plain truth of the matter is that
because OF republican profigacy and
the inef1clency Of the Mckinley bill
a. q revenue law, the country is con-
fronted by An impending treasury de-
aciency. TO avoid such a calamity it
IA necessary TO discover new sources OF
revenue, With that dea in view, the
pending bill provides for withdrawing
the unconstitutional gratuity to the
sugar growers and the sugar trust and
divert an equal amount Of the money
that Ia taken from the pockets of the
people into the treasury. The bounty
to the sugar growers will amount this
year to about s25, 900, 900, The pro
lection" to the trust is $40. 900, 900,
making a total OF s45, 900, 900 of taxa
ton on sugar, comparatively little OF
which goes Into the treasury. The
pending bill will draw about an equal
amount from the people, but every
cont OF 1t except that which goes for
expenses Of collection will 60 into the
treasury and be available for the ordi.
nary expenses Of the government, re.
lieving the people of taxes on other
necessaries to that amount.
We would be glad II it were possible
to secure this reform In the revenue
aystem without affording protection
to the sugar trust, but the democratic
majority in the senate is so meagei
that the detection Of a single vote
would put the whole measure in jeop.
ardy. The sugar trust, like all other
trusts, is obnoxious to the democrati,
party, and any legislation that woult
destroy II would be welcome to tn.
democratic people. But according t.
the best information attainable it il
not possible to accomplish this result
One or two senators who hold title t.
their seats through democratic suf
fraRe declare their Intentions to Dol
unless the odious concessions are mad,
to them. The consequence would b
the continuance OF the Mckinley bill
which Is what the sugar trust and tn
republican party desires. The lat
Gov. Moses once said, by way OF en-
couragement to his carpet-bag asso
ciates In the south: "There are
couple OF years good stealing in tn
south yet II is an analogous sent
ment that influences the republicans
adhere to the Mckinley bill wit
such marvellous tenacity. Kansas Cit
Times,