The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-01-07
Florida Sugar Lands.


Mr.. S. A. Jones, in an article In the
Tampa Times, makes some statements in
respect to sugar lands in Florida that
will surprise those who have been accus-
toned to think of that state only in con-
nection with oranges and early vegeta bles.
He says that it has been shown by care
full surveys that in Florida there are
1900, 900 acres of the richest land in the
world, capa blelof producing from 700 to
5000 pounds of sugar per acre, and that
the whole body of this land can be
brought under cultivation for $50 ,000, 900.
In his opinion the continuance Of the 2
cents pound bounty on sugar or a tariff
of 2 cents pound would in
sure the reclamation of all
this land by private capital
and enterprise, or, if both the bounty and
tariff are denied, an appropriation of
100000 900 by the government would pre-
pare for cultivation an amount of land
sufficient to produce four times the
amount Of sugar at present consumed in
this country. This is a surprising state
ment, but there is no doubt Mr. Jones is
sincere in making it.
According to his figures, there are now
consumed in this country 5000 900, 900
pounds of sugar. The 100000 acres of
Florida sugar land would average 4, 900
pounds per acre, thus making an annual
production of 1900, 900, 900 pounds.
In support of what he says, Mr. Jones
gives some figures relative to the produc-
tion of sugar on the plantation
at ST. Cloud, Fla. 1t contains / 900
acres and it averages 1900 pounds per
acre. At this time there is being
made on this place 10000 pounds of sugar
every twenty-four hours. 1t would take
a long time to reclaim Florida's sugar
lands, but if reclaimed they would, ac-
cording to MIR. Jones' estimate, produce
much more than the entire American con-
sumption at 8 cents pound, and the profit
at that price would be a good one
Mr.. Jones' statements are we'll worth
investigating. If he is half way right
there are opportunities in Florida for cap
italists to increase their fortunes that
are much greater than those offered by
orange groves and truck farms
Senator Hoar imagines that he thrust a
thorn into the administration flesh on
Thursday, when he introduced resolu-
tion calling upon the Secretary of the
Treasury for q statement of the sums of
money paid TO Mr.. Blount for salary
while he was commissioner to Hawaii.
But he will be disappointed. The admin
istration might ignore the request, IL it
should be made by the Senate. There is
fund provided for the state department
from which persons engaged in special
diplomatic service are paid. The work
engaged in by these special agents is nee
essarily secret, therefore the disburse-
ment of the fund is also secret. The dis
position Of the fund is left entirely with
the President and the state department.
and that it was never the intention of
congress that disbursements from it
should be made public has been held by
several authorities. The resolution went
over until Monday on objection to its con-
sideration being made by Senator Cor
man. On Monday il will probably be de-
feated.
Max Heilig, of Baltimore, few DAYS
ago completed his Saith year. To cele-
brate the occasion and show that he was
as good man as Gladstone, he took an Ak
and started out to chop down trees and
telegraph poles. He had been chopping
only short while when the police hap
pened along and put him in a cell for the
first time in his life.