The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1905-01-28
TO PROTECT THE COUNTRY >
Sugar INDUSTRY.

The BANNER has repeatedly *
pressed astonishmrnt ov.r th'
persistent action OF til. lead IL
members Of the Republican patty
who, Notwithstanding their party's
pledge to protect American indus
tries with a high tariff. are con-
tinually striving to evade the
provisions Of the law enacted by
| themselves in the enactment or es-
tablishment OF reciprocity treaties
with countries peoducing the same
commodities and at far less risk
and expense. Such a course ough'
to convince any one that, with the
Republican party q catchy and
popular campaign slogan, such as
"high protection TO American in
du-tries" is one thing and politi-
cal advancement. after election,
by way Of amendments. and sub
terfuges in the interest OF one
trust or another. is another thing.
The people ought to repose no
confidence in the platform dcclara-
tons of such a party. The party
who once established bounty for
the Louisiana sugar producers, as
well AS for those Of other States, is
now endcavoring to destroy that
industry in favor of foreigners
from whom we can never hope 10
derive equal trade advantages.
Since the conquest OF the Philip
pines it is shown that We have
secured no trade worth mention
ing, the only exports going thither
have been in the main for the use
OF the American soldiers stationed
there. AS to the Cubans, whose
peace and independence We have
generously assured, we doubt
whether the conditions OF trade
are any better.
Still with the latter, reciprocity
has already been established, and
a hard fight is now being made in
the Congress of the United States
to establish reciprocity tor the
benefit Of the Philippines.
The sugar interests in New Or
leans have now small delegation
in Washington doing their utmost
to defeat the success OF all such
measures to the sugar
industry Of Louisiana and the
Union, aud they are being ably
and energetical!y aided by our
and Representatives. We
can only surmise the motive be-
hind this reciprocity craze, which
can have no other effect than the
destruction OF our sugar interests
IN the interest of powerful syndi-
Gates, and it is beyond doubt a
abandonment of that
most cardinal doctrine which has
for so many years kept the Re
publican party in power. On the J
other hand, the hostile attitude OF |
President Roosevelt towards the
allied railroad interests of the |
urging Congress to enact
avs enlafging the powers Of the
Commerce Commission
% enable it to fix railroad rates. is
lot only an incomprehensible fea-
ure OF his inconsistency on the
rust evil, but is a clear leaning
owards Socialism, against which
lie is no doubt strongly arrayed.
there can be no reason or justifi-
alton for reciprocity with the
or any other county
which produces sugar, tobacco, or
my other comm odIty in COMPETE
ion with our own. 1t is against
ust such countries that a high
ariff has been found necessary.
t is predicted that the beet sugar
rop Of Germany has been fail
re this year. and that the price of
ugar will soon go towering high,
'ut this can afford no excuse.
reciprocity treaties are not made
Or year. This year Louisiana
as produced a bountiful crop. IL
is insufficient for our nceds-and
o doubt but that it is-the de-
cheney can be filed by foreign
xports as usual, undes che high
ariff laws, and the people can we'll
fiora to pay the high price and
stain the growing prospects of
1eir own industry. II IS to be
oped thatall reciprocity measures
ill be defeated.