56 



OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



Q. How do grapevines thrive there ? 



A. As in all tropical countries they grow, but the fruit does not ripen. 

 I have only heard of one or two cases where the vine would mature its 

 fruit. By constant care and certain systems of pruning and a great deal 

 of difficulty, they have been able to raise a few pounds of grapes. 



Q. How about the pineapple ? 



A. It grows in great abundance, especially in the southern part of the 

 Islands. The coffee industry has got from an exporting industry to zero, 

 owing to diseases. 



A difficulty the Americans will have to contend with in civilizing the 

 natives is the question of insects, Most of these people believe and 

 practice that every time you kill an insect the Lord will send twenty 

 more. If you hire them for that work they will go on a strike, because 

 they believe it to be sacrilegious. 



Vote of Thanks. 



Prof. CHILDS. I move that a vote of thanks be extended to 

 Professor Hayne for his very instructive remarks on the Philippine 

 Islands and its industries. 



Motion carried. 



THREATENED REDUCTION OF DUTIES ON FRUIT IMPORTS. 



B. N. Rowley, of San Francisco, submitted the following resolu- 

 tion: 



Whereas, The government of the United States has entered into a reciprocity con- 

 vention with the government of France, in which it is contemplating a material reduc- 

 tion of duties on the imports of French prunes, walnuts, almonds, preserved fruits, 

 olive oil, wines, etc. ; and, 



Whereas, It is the belief of the fruit-growers of the State of California, assembled 

 at their annual meeting, that any lessening or removal of the present tariff duties on 

 French fruits, nuts, and wines would work a most serious injury to the fruit, nut, and 

 wine industries of the Pacific Coast ; now therefore, it is 



Resolved, That the fruit-growers of the State of California do most earnestly and 

 strenuously protest against any and all proposed reductions from existing tariff rates 

 on imports of French prunes, walnuts, almonds, preserved fruits, olive oil, wines, etc. ; 

 and further, it is 



Resolved, That the honorable members of the United States Senate are hereby 

 respectfully requested to so modify the proposed reciprocity treaty between the United 

 States and France as to permit the present tariff on imports of French fruits, nuts, and 

 wines to remain unimpaired; and thus giving to the fruit-growers of the Pacific Coast 

 that measure of protection which satisfies labor with a fair return and lends safety to 

 the millions of capital invested in their orchards ; it is further 



Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be engrossed and that the same shall be 

 forwarded to Senator George C. Perkins, through whom the action of the fruit-growers 

 of California, in convention assembled, shall be made known to the honorable members 

 of the United States Senate. 



Referred to Committee on Resolutions. 



