Omaha daily bee., 1897-01-22
'OPY FIVE CENTS.
DISCUSSING SUGAR BETS
Meeting in Interest of the Industry Held
at Lincoln.
OFFERS LITTLE ENCOURAGEMENT
Listens to the Addresses aud Argue
mcnts md votes Down the propo-
sitiuns Looking Toward
Bounty ON Sugar.

LINCOLN, Jan. 21-(Special Telcgram)-
meeting was held at representative hail
tonight under the auspices OF a committee
representing the Nebraska Sugar Beet Grow
ems association. composed OF Robert w. Fur
mas, chairman; j. b. Cessna of Hastings, E.
Rosewater and w. N. Mason of Omaha, w.
G. Whitmore of Valley, AleXander Thorn Of
North Bend and A. Waite OF Syracuse A
large number of members OF both houses
of the legislature were present, although
the eXigencies of committee work kept
many away. Governor Furnas called the
meeting to order and explained its object.
He assured those present that the committee
had no pet scheme TO advance II merely
desired to discuss and invite discussion on
the beet sugar question.
Judge Cessna then offered resolution
urging upon congress the early restoration
of the duty upon sugar which was in force
prior to 1890 or to impose such import du-
ties as will effectively protect the Amerl-
can sugar producers from the ruiuous COM
petition of sugar exporting nations and from
the equally ruinous monOpolization of sugar
tIaihc by the Sugar trust The resolution
was placed in discussion and Judge Cessna
delivered an eloquent address in advocacy
OF its adoption,
Representative Snyder of Sherman county
asked for information as to the report that
new process for the manufacture of crude
sugar had been discovered, which would per-
NIT the erection of factories costing about
$25 600. Secretary Mason and Governor Fur
mas both stated in reply that such process
was stll in he experimental stage. MIR.
ROsewater explained the situation as II exists
In Europe, where the manufacture of sugar
by small factories has not proven success.
The ros9luGon was then put to the audi
anCU, although it was known In advance that
kffusz 20 roll 10
was largely made up OF populist members OF
the legislature, who were committed in ad-
vance to opposition to the objects of the
meeting.
WILL FAVOR NEW FACTORIES,
The resolution was voted down. Mr.. Whit
more then offered a resolution as follows:
Whereas, 1t has been demonstrated that
the soil and climate of Nebraska are well
adapted to the production of sugar beets.
and believing the further development of
this industry Is of vital Importance to all
of our people; therefore, be 1t
Resolved, That the present legislature Is
respectfully requested to encourage by suit
able legislation the establishment of new
! factories in this state.
Mr.. WE,.m1rc made an earnest argument
in support of his resolution, speaking from
actual experience as n farmer. He was
asked many questions from the audience, all
of which he answered. in candid, fair man
ner. The opposition was strongly advanced
by the radical element present and was ell
of Dawson county, a populist, delivered
ringing address, declaring himself In favor
of a bounty for new factories. He was fol-
lowed by Representative jenkins OF JefIer"
son and Representative Roddy of Otoe, who
uloke in favor Of the resolution. l.. A. Belt
ger offered a resolution to the effect that all
new factories should be encouraged, but that
no bounty should be paid The amendment
was .adoDted and the resolution as amended
then adopted.
Mr.. Mason offered resolution to the ef-
feet that the state of Nebraska is morally
and legally obligated to pay the bounty
earned by beet sugar raisers under the act
of 1885, and that the legislature Is re-
spectfully memorialized to discharge this
debt in accordance with the letter and spirit
cf the law. The debate took wide range,
embracing everything from the sugar beet
question to the prospects OF Tree silver
success in 1900. The prejudice against the
question was entirely too strong to admit
of reasonable or even fair discussion, and
at the close of heated controversy the
resolution was laid on the table
DECLINE TO INVESTIGATE.
Mr. Rosewater had a resolution request
ing the legislature to appoint committee
to investigate the complaints against tho
Oxnards methods Of dealing with the beet
Taisers OF the state, but the meeting was
in no mood to consider it. Several OF the
more radical ones present were loud in their
demands for adjournment. Their conduct
brought from Representative zimmerman,
popullst of York, the emphatic declaration
that he IVES ashamed OF the conduct Of the
members OF his party. lie said, moreover
that the members Of the committee had been
insuited and that he was disgusted. This
declaration brought the meeting to it's senses.
and Mr.. Roscwater was accorded respectful
hearing for the statement he wished to
make He referred briefly TO a statement
published in an Omaha paper, charging him
with having been connected with a deal
by which he was to assist OXnard in OBJ
tanning a seat in the United States senate
from South Dakota. He denied the state
ment in the strongest terms, and stated
he was ready to produce at any time tho
documentary evidence in support OF his de-
nial.
The resolution was then voted down, and
tho rnaatipg at II Il ~1f