Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1857-12-31
Switzerland.


and INDECENT position in life, is not affor
ded in either hemisphere than is presen-
ted by the inhabitants of the thrifty and
sturdy little Republic of Switzerland
Unlike every other European country,
she is entirely shut out from any direc
participation in the benefits of the i'm
mense domain of waters which float the
argosies of her more fortunate neighbors,
and cast upon their shores the wealth Of
far distant climes. Planted almost in the
center of Europe, no tempest tossed
waves dash themselves against her tower.
ing mountains, and the roar and the mu-
sic of old ocean are sounds which the
free Switzer" never hears in the peace
ful valleys Of his Alpine home. Swilz-
erland is apparently shut out from con-
nection or sympathy from any nation ex-
cepting those whose territories touch he,
own. She is completely Gland locked .
and possesses no "'royal highway" to
wealth Yet her Industrious and ingen-
ious population have SO applied them
selves to various kinds of manufactures
as to rival and even surpass their proud
est and most successful compeers, and to
send the products Of their skill and in
dustry all over the world, notwilhstand-
ing the raw material, and the manufac-
tured article are alike subjected TO the ex-
pense Of overland transportation for long
distances.
Switzerland possesses a population of
2,390,O00 souls, and an area Of Is, 26l
square miles. In 1910 its foreign com
merce amounted TO about $s85, 500, ,oo0-
commerce equal to that of Belgium,
with a population Of 4,359,OOo, about
one half that Of Austria, with popua-
ton of 81, 500, 600, and about one fifth
that Of France, with a population of 81,
100000. This shows an extraordinary
degree of prosperity. Combined with
the great influence which a free govern
ment has upon the industrial pursuits of
people, TO produce this result, are other
causes. Being a mountainous country,
covered with snow six or eight months
in the year, the inhabitants have recourse
to indoor labor as a matter of necessity,
while being surrounded by manuf;,ctur-
ing nations naturally turns their thoughts
to manufactures, and stimulates their
emulation The people at once agricul-
turists and artizans, and naturally in
dustrions, find ample scope for constant
and profitable employment in these oc-
cupations, and are thus enabled to live on
moderate wages.
The Swiss tariff is very favorable on
our principal staples. Grain of every
kind, rice, and dried vegetables, pay q
duty of 3 cents; saled provisions, lard,
whalebone, and tobacco, 65 cents whale
oil, wool, ashes, rosin and tallow, cents
each per ll04 pounds. The effect of
this tariff is seen in the consumption of
tobacco, an article from which Great
Britain, France and other countries, de-
rive immense revenues by high taxation.
France, with a population of 36, 100000,
received an annual average of 15,O0O,-
600 pounds of American tobacco during
the years 1928, which gives FIVE
twelfths ola pound to each person Great
Britain, with a population Of q, GOO, 900
received an annual average, the same pc
riod, of e5,ooo,oo0 pounds, or nearly
one pound per head; while Switzerland
with population Of g, 400, 900, received
more than 100000 pounds, or nearly
three pounds to each person.
The manufacture Of cotton by Swift
crland has increased with great rapidly.
In 1880 the Republic had in operation
400. 900 spindles in 1910, $50, 900; in
1850, $4,000 the number having
in cotton manufacture is the more surpri-
sing, because of the heavy expense with
which the raw material is burdened by
transit tolls, befor it reaches Switzerland.
In 1851, the importation of cotton into
Switzerland amounted to 27,O35, 725
pounds, of which about one half was
from this country. In 1853, the amount
received from this country had reached
about 10, 500, 900 pounds, and the cotton
manufactures returned to the United
States amounted to 5,265, $50 pounds
We also receive from Switzerland large
numbers Of watches, besides silk goods,
embroideries, cutlery, mathematical in
struments, daguerreotype plates, manu-
features of leather, wool and hair, books,
wines, cigars, and even cheese. The val
ue Of our importations from Switzerland
last year amounted to S8, ,368.07. This
is undoubtedly below the true amount, as
tho trade In Swiss watches silks and