The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-12-05
Especial Cor. to The virginian.)
washington, D. c., Dec. d. 1891

president Mckinley has for many
months past been paying off the politi-
cal debts contracted by Mark Hanna
to secure his election. Now he has
turned his attention to paying off his
financial obligations. During the cam
paign Mark Hanna collected from the
various trusts. bankers and others a
huge campaign fund, amounting in the
aggregate to SlG,00000 The Sugar
Trust was one of the most liberal con-
tributors to this fund, and in return,
when the Dingley act was passed, it
was. taken care of TO the extent of put
ting a duty of Sl95 per 100 pounds on
all foreign sugars imported into this
country. This tax was believed to be
practically prohibitory, but for fear it
might mot give the Sugar Trust a
monopoly. a provision was inserted pro-
vidinG in certain contingencies for what
Is termed Il countervaling duty, which
means an additional lax equal to any
export bounty foreign countries might
allow OH sugars exported
early in this year the Sugar Trust
Drofessed to believe that many of the
European countries were paying an in
direct export bounty on sugar The
Treasury, of course, conceded with
their view and Immediately put a
countcrvaillng duty on sugars imported
into this country from Germany,
France. Austria-TTungary, Belgium,
.i|SHHidih tHV argentine. only little
Holland was left, but the Sugar Trust
demanded that no channel should be
left open to compete with the Sugar
Trust. They have now included Hol-
land in the draGnet, and in so doing
have practically excluded all foreign
sugars from this country. giving The
Sugar Trust an absolute monopoly. and
now that all the gates are closed the
great octopus will put up the price OF
sugar and make the public pay for its
campaign contribution to NIcKinlcy's
election.
During the past ten days, iol antici-
patton of the decision in the Holland
case, sugar stock has risen 10 points.
and the trust and those in its conf
dence have made many hundreds of
thousands Of dollars. IN. this CITY
elcne several parties have made S25,-
900 piece as the resuit Of inside in
formation as to what the decis ian
would be. 3,
Secretary Gage, of the Treasury, and
Secretary Wilson, of Agriculture, hard
~ speak as they pass by II all came
about in this way: Secretary Cas-
undertook to formulate plan of cur
fencY reform to be presented to Con-
gross, and with which he honed To
hand his name down to posterity. lie
invited Suggestions from many promi-
nent financiers, bankers, college prcsi-
dents. corporation attorneys and others,
studiously emitting, however. any ono
with silver leanings. After nronerly
digestintS the mass Of suggestions sent
MN ne set out TO prepare his plan
IN manuscript form ii was sent 10 the
printing office in the Treasury and gal
ley proofs struck off. The printer was
eh1oined tofkecp the gallcys under lock
ana Key and cautioned, if there was a
leak. his official head would fall into
the basket. Treasurer Gage kent thn
only nine proofs taken in his private
desk, and at Cabinet meeting, about
month ago, he carried them over
with him and proudly handed one each
to the President and his seven col
leagues He cnJoincG secrecy and The
points OF MS plan were deliberately dis
cuSSed. Each member kent his proof
Secretary Gage had contemplated MAX
Ing q hit by publishing his plan
simultaneously throughout the conn
Try ana the fuglcmcn editors of the
administration were preparing editor
ials to accompany its publication. Sud
denly anu without warning the Gage
Piah o! currency reform appeared in
one or two Western papers and when
the matter came to Secretary Gaze.
notice The air about the Treasury wns
sulphurous. The printer was called IN
tne private secretary was Questioned
the messengers were looked upcn with
suspicion, but still no solution OF how
the precious document became mimic
could he reached
1t was afterwards ascertained that
secretary Wilson had loaned his proof
TO a newspaper friend. When Serra
lary Wilson now enters the Cabinet
room. II is said. Secretary Gage gathers
mis- official papers near 10 him ana even
turns them face down. 1t is rather n
coincidence that Secretary Wileon
should Of all The Cabinet have baen
the unwilling victim Of ncwspapcr
man. He seems 10 have succeeded To
j. Sterling Morton's plumbers as wei,
as 10 his portfolio When Cleveland
made his Famous pronounccmcnt in
FAVOR 81 sound and safe" currency,
everybody was asking what he mean,
1t remained foI his Agricultural Sec
Set1ry TO give Mr.. Clcveland's mean