Rensselaer Republican, Volume 23, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 July 1891 — THREE MONTHS OF FREESUGAR. [ARTICLE]

THREE MONTHS OF FREESUGAR.

Indianapolis Journal. s The, American people have had three mouths of free sugar, and to say that they have enjoyed it would fall considerably short of expressing the truth: They have reveled in it. With almost the largest fruit crop on record, they have had sugar much cheaper than ever before. The result has been a great increase in the consumption of sugar and a corresponding increase to the comfort of the people. Democrats point with some exultation to the fact that free sugar has caused a large falling off in the revenues. So it has. This was foreseen and expected. It was impossible to make the people a present of nearly $60,000,000 a year by the rel>eal of the duty on sugar without causing a corresponding reduction of revenue. * But it is not they who are complaining of the falling* off in revenue. It the leaders of the Democratic party. Not long ago they were complaining because the revenue exceeded the expenditure and a surplus was the result. 'Now they complain because the revenue las been reduced and they fear a deticii. By the repeal of the duty on sugar the government has lost about $15,000,000 in revenue since

April 1. If that amount had been collected there would be a considerable surplus in the treasury qad Democrats would be howling about the dangers of a surplus. Because it has not been collected they are howling about the danger of a deficit. But the money that has not been collected is in the pockets of the people, who, while enjoying this cheap sugaiv have faith enough in the Republican party to believe that the government finances are in good hands. Not the least merit of the repeal of the duty on sugar is that it will tend to strengtuen and perpetuate -the-policy of protection. The remission of so large an amount of revenue by the repeal of this duty will doubtless insure a highly protective tariff for many years to come. This will be a necessity unless the sugar duty is restored, and no party will dare do that. Free sugar has oome to stay, and with it protection for many years to come. This it is which destroys the free trader enjoyment of free sugar. To him it is a bittersweet. As time passes and the effects of free sugar become fully developed in its enormous saving to the people, its strengthening of protection and its promotion of reciprocity with other countries; it will, doubtless, the Wrost Irritating thorn in the side of the Democracy.