The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1901-01-18
FLORIDA WINTSI
CONVICT SUGAR FARM
LEADING PAPER OF THE STATE
URGES IT'S ESTABLISHMENT
BY The LEGISLATURE
Maintains That IL wc-id Not Only Re
duce Taxation sut at the Same
Time Help to Encourage a New
Agricultural Industry.
From the Sugar Planters Journal

From the Sugar Planters Journal
Realizing the advantages TO be-
gained by utilizing the state prisoners
for agricultural pursuits. the editor OF
the Florida, Times Union and Citizen
| who was allowed to see a letter writ
ten By the distinguished agriculturist
| and expert in sugar manufacture. Paul
| Dupuy. says:
The gentleman has studied the sit
| uation in Florida and has convinced
himself that the attempt to raise CAPT
tai by private subscription to build
a sugar plant in Florfua is futile he
| reiterates his belief that the business
| would pay. but considers the necessary
sum too large for the men and means
at present available for that purpose
Therefore he suggests that the state
solve two difficulties at once-fnd a
profitable use for the conyicts and IS
tablish lucrative industry by using
its credit to buy the machinery and
furnish an example. Why not? Il is
true many Floridans are opposed to
the principle of state ownership and
monopoly of industries, but it is also
true that many ardently favor such
ideas for public benefit If the state
is TO adopt the principle it is undoubt-
eddy true that Sir. Dupuy's proposition
is the most attractive yet advanced
1t interferes with no industry yet IS
tablished: it leaves ample room for
private capital 10 come without preju
dice into the same field. and it would
furnish an immediate market for
surplus product that now is drug on
the hands of our farmers Other states
have relieved themselves almost en-
tirely of taxes by such means. At
cuss the idea, and we hope our legis-
lators viii consider it.
so far as the state is concerned.
the time is most opportune. Our credit
is good as gold and we have been seek
ing field for investment instead of
asking favors. Why not use that cred
it for the greatest good of the greatest
number? In this way the best ma.
chinery could be purchased and every
facI---y for cheapening the product De
secured. Doubtless the entire output
could be marketed without the slight
est friction as fast as it was made
ready; our own people would take 1t
for several years. Gradually the bust
ness would extend as a certain sala
was given at home; our waste lands
would be utilized and our population
culating medium.
AS solution of the difficulty in
volved in the handling of our convicts
the idea is admirable Under such ? |
system the prisoners need never pass
out of the hands of the state.
But the idea is a new one, and we !
pass it without discussion or the ex-
preston of opinion to our exchanges
for submission to the legislature ii /
the approaching session All expert |
opinion agrees that with sufficient |
capital and competent guidance sugar |
factories in Florida should pay largely |
and continuously. The indirect conse- |
quences Of their establishment would |
be more benefcent than the direct |
profit they may be trusted to return. |
The Floridan must have a money |
crop before he can be prosperous as
his fellows in other states"