The Louisiana populist. [volume] (Natchitoches, Natchitoches Parish, La.) 1894-1898, 1896-03-13

"Willett & Grey's statistical review
places the consumption of sugar in the
United States at 1,945, ,406 tons during
the year 1895, against 2,012,729 tons in
1894. This means that the people bought
less sugar by 67,323 tons in 1895 than
in 1894. Yet the price of raw sugar
averaged lower during 1895 than
throughout any other year of which
commercial history takes notice"
The above is from the Inter Ocean
and is made the basis of an argument
in favor of protection, the idea being
that the cheapness coming from free
trade will not bring prosperity.
Whether the Inter Ocean is right OF
wrong upon that point, we shall not
consider. The statement is reproduced
cheapness may be good thing, but
when the cheapness 10 caused, not by
saperabundance of the commodity, but
by a scarcity of money, it is an unmiti-
gated evil so far as the masses of the
people are concerned. Under such cir
cumstances, to talk about the con
sumer's' benefit is the very refinement
of cruelty. The source of all human
prosperity is industry, and the very
basis is that particular industry which
is applied to production. Without pro
duction' no other business could live.
and man himself would disappear from
the face of the earth.
Production is the primary work OF
man. while everything else is secondary
and subordinate.
II he make anything more than bare
living he must sell more than he buys.
Take the case of farmer. Suppose
that Of his crop he can sell 1000 worth
each year, while his expenses, including
grocery bills, help on farm, doctor bills,
taxes, ETC.. amount to $500. He saves
5000. Now suppose that prices fall one
half all along the line. His crop for
sale sinks to $500. his expenses to $4OO.
and instead of being 5000 ahead, he
only has balance of 500.
This, though, is upon the supposition
that all things have fallen in the same
ratio. But we know that all things do
not cheaper uniformly. Taxes, for ex-
ample, have not been reduced at all.
On the contrary. in many cases. they
have actually increased. Presidents.
governors, congressman, judges and To-
cal officers continue to draw their sal
aries as of yore. while those who nay
the salaries sell the products OF their
labor for half price. Doctors bills,
lawyers fees. travelling expenses and
other things remain substantially the
same.
The hired man stoutly resists land
properly a cut in his wages, while the
manufacturers, the middlemen, and the
merchants by combinations do every
thing in their power to keep up retail
rates. The great farm staples are
usually sold at wholesale prices.
Bearing these facts in mind let us
now make another calculation. Sup
pose his taxes, doctor bills, etc., amount
to 500 Of his total expense. These
stand as before. Upon the remaining
$500, which includes the hired mans
pay. groceries. drugs, etc.. we will sup
pose that there is a reduction of say
80 per cent. This represents a saving
to him of $40. leaving his expenses on
those lines $3.50. In the meantime his
$1,000 has fallen to $500. The account
now stands as follows:
Income.-(Crop for sale =. $500.00
Expenses.-CTaxes, doc
tors bills, etc., .......$100.00
Other expenses .......... $4,000
Total expenses ...... $1,000
Deficiency $4,000
Instead of having profit OF 5000, we
find that he has suffered loss of $50
on his years work.
Now, suppose further. what is true in
multitudes of cases. that the farmer is
81, 900 in debt on his farm. Falling
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