The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-06-15
THE SUGAR TRUST
OCCUPIES THE ATTENTION OF
THE SENATE FOR THE DAY.
The Discussion on Senator Lindsay's Pro.
position to Strike the Diff-rential Clause
Out Of the Sugar Schedule-SenatorVes
Vigorous Attack on This Provision of the
Bill-Scnator McEnery Advocates the
Tariff Bill and Declares for Protection.


O'Clock p. m. the consideration of the
tariff bill was resumed, the pending
amendment being that of Senator
Jones, of Arkansas, to strike out in line
90, page 63, the words ION all sugars"
Senator Vest, of Missouri, took the
floor and called upon the majority to
ansewr the declarations made by the
minority that the present sugar sched-
ule gave a large increase of protec ton
to the sugar trust. His side, he said.
had made the direct charge. The sugar
trust was now making 20 per cent. on
it's enormous watered stock. Its Off
cials had admitted it. In view of this
fact it was due the minority and the
country that an explanation that eX-
planned should be made by the other
side. But what was the reply of the
majority to the challenge Of the mi
nority? 1t was that, leaving out the
cOuntervailing duty of 7s of a cent,
there was no increase. But what he
wanted to know was what it was if
that 3s cent was included. By what
sort of legerdemain was it TO be eX-
GUIDED? he asked. He repeated his
statement Of Wednesday that the pro-
lection on Sc degree sugar was increas-
ed by the caucus amendment over the
original senate amendment cents per
100 pounds. 1t was 63 cents in the
schedule adopted yesterday against "a
in the present law. The schedule he
insisted, was utterly indefensible. The
only excuse he had heard advanced
was that of Senator Allison that this
duty was imposed, not for revenue,
but to encourage the beet sugar in
duStry.
"Oh. Mr.. President" cried Senator
Vest, in conclusion, ''Our experts may
be mistaken; we may be in the fog
ringing our bells, but 1 repeat again
what l said the other day, that there
was one set of men in this country
who We're not mistaken. Our friends
in Wall street know what this schedule
means. Within four hours after this
schedule was reported sugar stock
went up $500 a share from 11S to 124
Last night it closed at 125B. Does
anybody believe that Wall street does
not know what protection this schedule
gives to the trusts? If the protection
had been reduced Wall street would
have responded as my hand responds
to my brain. The cry in Wall street is:
The trust has got all it wants. Up
with the flag of protection that puts
money in our pocket
Senator McEnery, democrat, of Lou
isiana, who yesterday voted for the
sugar schedule, followed Senator Vest
1t was his maiden speech in the SEN
a te and much interest was manifested
as he began. Several republican sem
atOrS moved over and took seats on the
democratic side. In opening he re-
ferred to the denunciation of the sugar
trust as a corporation which was
crushing the life blood out of the con-
sumner. But that trust was not the only
organization, he said, which was meet
ing with the condemnation of the peo-
pie and helping to reduce them to beg
gerry and starvation. In the south, he
declared, there was a trust that sought
to throttle the people. Beside 1t the
sugar trusts expressions and exactlons
were insignificant Tt was the trust
which controlled a new process for
baling cotton. That company sought
to bale and control the cotton of the
south. It's interests were directly op-
posed to those OF the cotton planters.
The interests Of the sugar producers.
on the contrary, went hand-in-hand
with those OF the sugar trust. The in
terests of both were bound up together
If the differential ON refined sugar was
not maintained "a blow would be struck
at the producer and every big factory
would be idle. II don't see the patri-
otfsm." shouted Senator AcEnery, ''of
trying to ring down the sugar turst, an
institution more national than any
other dealt with by this tariff bill.
Why should senators on this side OF the
chamber strike at us? Why should a
sword be run through the body OF an
infant to reach the body of a giant?
1t is not brave nor manly, nor coura-
geouS."
considering the vast interests Lou
isiana has in rice and sugar" continued
Senator McEnery, considering the
output of her saw mills, her salt and
sulphur mines, is there any reason why
the democratic party of my state
should not be committed to protection? ?
Not high protection, but such prOtec-
ton as is consistent with revenue ne
cessities. This, also, 1 believe is the
doctrine of the republican party. 1 do
not believe that either party is desirous
of imposing unnecessary burdens upon
the people,
Senator McEnery at some length re-
called his political career to show that
as far back as 1884 he occupied the
same position on this question occupied
by him now.
Call it what you WILL said SEN
ator McEnery. protection, revenue
thing else. large amounts must be rails
ed and there is no reason why the in
dustries of the south should not be
protected"
Senator McEnery then proceeded to
read a carefully prepared argument
in favor of the protection of home in
dustries. The republicans appeared
to be highly gratified at the Louisiana
senator's outspoken protection sen1i-
ment He charged inconsistency to
those democrats who sought protection
for their local interests, but who op-
posed protection as a system for the
whole country. He did not desire, he
said, TO impeach the faith or integrity
of the democracy. He sought to de-
monstrate his position that tariff views
did not and should not constitute the
test of democracy. He should always
vote for measures of benefit to the in
terests Of his state so long as those
interests did not conflict with the in