The San Francisco call., 1896-08-02

objects, 1 think, are thoroughly understood,
and, feel assured, are deeply appreciated by
every one present. That it is fraught with
meaning and deep significance to the future
veal and prosperity of this whole valley is an
admitted fact.
We have with us on this occasion gentle-
man who figures as first in the commercial
and industrial circles of this great State ana
whose mammoth enterprises in this and IN
other parts OF the Union are known through
out both hemispheres. His profound sagacity,
giant intellect and untiring energy is potent
force that is felt among his fellow-rnen wnen-
ever exerted He knows no failure. his
place in railroad enterprises as well as In COM
mercial is second only to his own Well
merited distinction of being the great sugar
king of the present day.
He has arisen from poor farmer-boy TO
occupy. by force of his own dauntless spirit,
place in the industrial forces Of the world
that is unsurpassed. Yet, with all this. he is
plain American citizen whose sympathies go
out for the laborer and mechanic. In the
great strikes of recent years we read OF none
that have occurred where his capital operates
or his management prevails
l have never heard of him being great
speechmaker, as we popularly understand
that term; yet he makes great speeches.
When he will tell you that the largest beet
sugar factory and refinery in the world,
equipped with all the latest and most i'm
proved machinery and the latest patents will
be located here, qualified only with the pro-
vision that our farmers grow the beets it will
enthuse farmers and business men and all
classes more than the most brilliant grafton
ever listened to.
Its accomplishment means to us all renewed
life and vigor. It means the stirring up and
stimulation OF every branch of business and
industry. Itmeans the dawn of new era in
this our own beautiful and fertile valley,
perfection aud that the hand OF God has III
this. as in other things, so richly and abun-
dainty blessed. / have the pleasure of intro
dueing to you Hon. Claus 6preckels, Calitor-
MAS greatest friend.
As Mr.. Spreckels arose. he was greeted
with thunder OF applause that prevented
his being heard for some time.
Ladies ana gentleman he said, when
the tumult subsidized, Il am very glad to
see so many of you taking such lively in
terest in the matter that brings US together
to-day. 1t is matter which, 1 am sure
you will agree with me is vital to the welfare
of the farmers of our great State, particu-
larly the farmers of this valley. There are
two things essential to the manufacture of
beet sugar: one is the beets, the other the
factory. Now, if you farmers Will guaran-
tee 10 grow the beets, I'll guarantee to turn
'em INTO sugar. l propose to build here at
your door the greatest sugar factory and
refinery IN the world-the greatest that
will be in the world. Now mark what l
saw"
The speaker was here interrupted by an
other prolonged burst of applause.
The factory will cover a wide area of
land. 1t will eat up 1000 tons OF beets
every day and turn out every day $50 tons
OF refined sugar ready for market. That
means the distribution among the farmers
of So, 900 every dav, and $1,000 more paid
TO workmen and for other materials In the
manufacturing. You can see, therefore,
that this is an important matter. l see
that you already understand tha. it is, and
l am pleased that you take this interest
with me in the enterprise. Now, as l say,
Ii is for you to grow the beets. PHI do the
rest. l went to Europe for the sole purpose
OF studying the cultivation OF sugar-beets
and the manufacture of sugar from them.
/ was admitted to witness their most
secret processes where other men have
been excluded. l was greeted as friend.
They said they who'd extend to the
Sugar King as they called me, every
courtesy and every facility to learn their
methods, although, they said, had prac-
tically come to destroy them.
Germany" continued the speaker,
after the applause had subslded, Ger
many manufactures l, 800, 900 tons OF beet
sugar every year, of which they only con-
sumo at home 400,o00 or 100000 tons. The
Government grants bounties to the manu-
facturers, so that they are enabled to COM
pete in the markets of the world. We do
not ask so much. / know that we have
better opportunities here IN this great
country. l am not afraid of France or
Austria or Germany, or any other country
All that | ask or that you need ask is that
EnUnrnpnnnf nG
on our product as against the foreign
manufacturer. Applause.] Over there
the workmen are paid at an average of two
marks a day. Il shall pay nv men an
average OF So day, [Applause.] I am
not man to put down the price OF labor.
/ will not do it. Instead, uphold 1t.
81 have many a time said that if the
people of California would help me I
could supply not only this State with its
sugar consumption but could send away
100000 tons. Applause.] Now, beets,
my friends, are the salvation of the farm
er. Cereals have been overworked and
they need rest. Its cultivation will go
far toward making this the greatest State
in the Union, which I am sure is its ulti-
mate destiny. Two Engiishmen talked OF
starting the beet-sugar industry on that
island. They inquired of an expert if
sugar -beets could not be grown there.
Yes, was the reply, but the first thing
to be done is to get shotgun and kill off
all the English farmers and put Germans
in their places [Laughter.] They pay
wages over there of from Sc to$ $S month.
/ do not intend to oporess labor that way.
/ intend, without doing so. to keep in this
business until | have established here the
greatest sugar refinery that will ever be
builto earth.H Tremendous applause
Hon. w. J. Hill followed. He said
realize with the poet that there is tide in
the affairs of men which taken at the flood
leads on to fortune; that there is a tide in the
affairs OF cities which, taken at the flood, leads
to prosperity for all citizens. l believe thai
that tide has come to Salinas City. This i'm.
menSe multitude testifes to it. We have come
here TO confer with this distinguished gentle.
man, whose name is q household world not
only in this country but over the en- tire world
Since the establishment by Mr.. Spreckels at
Watsonville of the sugar factory the farmers
have had ample opportunity 10 test the soil of
this valley Tor the growing OF sugar beets,
and with the greater demand to be created by
his immense factory, we may expect 10 see the
whole valley, clothed in its beautiful green or
chards, TO spring up and Monterey Bay be
crowded with the white wings of commerce.
tor the establishment OF such factory here
must be followed by other enterprises, aud our
5000 population will multiply quickly into
5000.
In conclusion, may give you this simple
reclpe: To baEish hard times and increase
our shekels, let us grow sugar-beets ana sell
them 10 spreckels. Laughter and applause.l
NJ ID 1E-