In 1899 the legislature of Florida memorialized Congress as follows: Memorial 1. Memorial to our Senators and Representatives In Congress In reference to a duty on Egyptian or longstaple cotton or the importation thereof. Whereas the present price of longstaple or seaisland cotton is now far below the cost of production causing a large area of our State to languish and a once profitable industry to wane and die. and Whereas the low price referred to is not due to overproduction. as Is demonstrated by the fact that for a crop of 104.557 bales in 1896 and in 1897 the average price for the grade of " fine" was 11 cents. while the last crop. 75.000 bales only. or 25 pet cent less than the year previous. and the average price for the grade of "fine" was 2 cents less. or 9 cents per pound. and � Whereas the indisputable cause for our low prices. financial depression. and agricultural discontent is found in the annually increasing importation of Egyptian cotton. the product of pauper labor. and Whereas the Democratic party and people have not deemed it derogatory to their principles and interests to have a duty placed on wool. pineapples. citrus fruits. and tobacco. and Whereas the placing of said duty on the abovementioned articles has proven a direct benefit to our people and with which protection they would not part without a struggle. and Whereas there are but two ways whereby the money necessary to maintain the National Government can be raised. and since the funds derived from internal revenue are insufficient even when made onerous and burdensome. as they now are. and Whereas we are forced from the nature of things to depend on a tax laid upon goods and products imported into this country from foreign countries to raise funds to assist in the support of the Government: Therefore be it Resolved. That it is the sense of this legislature that a tariff should be laid for revenue only and arranged so that if it shall prove a burthen all may equally bear it. if a benefit It may be equally shared. Resolved further.
Identified stereotypes
Egyptian laborers are described as 'pauper labor'.