The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-11-11

highest law-making power in the world.
II was thought by them that by no mis-
carriage OF iustce could they possibly De
oespoiled of their just earned reward.
increased and wonderful advance in
the manufacture OF sugar, the improve
menr of land and the employment of
la Dor followed. The acreage devoted TO
the proc uction OF the sugar beet for the
year 1895 was larger than for any previous
generous IN quantity and quality and the
grade OF sugar improved. All that was
left to be done to place America upon the
road to immediate Independence in its
demand for sugar was for the government
to fulfill its part OF the contract into
which it had entered involuntarily.
The decision OF the com ptroller Of the
treasury in withholding the promised
sugar bounty fell like thunderpolt from
q clear sky. II was the cause of conster-
nation among the ranks OF beet and sugar
producers alike. Factories had been
builded or extended, farms bought and
implements provided under the alluring
hope that prevailing prices would con-
tinua. Thousands of acres were reclaim
edwhiCh had hitherto been used only for
grazing purpo -es, ana their usefulness in
new and profitable industry demon
strated. Now all was changed and the
very validity OF u solemn statutory pro-
vision, which had received the endorse
ent of the peoples representatives and
had been signed by the president, seemed
to be left for its efficacy to depend upon
the whim or aprice of minor executiv
officer. In this critical condition manu-
facturers could contract for the coming
General unrest and dissatisfaction pre-
vailed. Ono of the greatest industries
ever founded in the west had received a
we'll nigh fatal setback.
ARGUMENT BEFORE THE DEPART
MENT.
When the sugar bounty question was
being argued before Comptroller Bowler
of the treasury department at Washing
ton, Senator Blanchard of Louisiana and
Senator Manderson of Nebraska urged
with great force the payment OF them as
promised. upon several grounds. Upon
the opposite side we're the foreign man.
ufaoturers. who desire to perpetuate the
present condition of dependency. by this
COUNTRY, upon them for its sugar supply.
First among the points calculated by
Senator Blanchard was the question as to
the power OF mere executive officer.
like the comptroller. to interfere in the
efficient purposes OF legislation. The
bounty ella Use Of the tariff bill providing
for bounties to sugar makers in certain
cases had passed both houses Vt con ress
and had been signed by the president.
An appropriation sufficient to meet the
payments had been made and the ac-
counts of claimants audited and certified
to in their regular order. There was
nothing left for tina treasury department
to do in the matter excspt for the clerical
force, Of which the com ptrollrr is one,
to issue the checks and vouchers, as re
quired by law. Mr.. Bowler action in re-
fuslng to perform this latter duty was
based upon the assum ption that the Ia
was unconstitutional. He assn med the
prerogative OF the supreme court of the
United States. which slone. as ono Of the
coordinate branches of the government,
has the power 20 determine suc1 ques-
tions. It was said by Senator Blanchard
that such q course was clear violation
of duty by the comptroller, and was es.
tablishinR most dangerns precedent.
1t was such an act as that, If it went
unohallenaed, would justify any subord1-
nate officer in assuming to pass upon the
solemn enactments of the legislative
branch OF government, and upon the plea of
belief in their nnconstitutionality,
thwart the very purposes of the law
making power. 1t was pointed out AZ
being the most radical example of official
usurpation that had bsen undertaken for
century.
But the ground upon which the comp