Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1857-07-30
SWITZERLAND.

emily doom him to an Insignificant and in
digent position in life is not afforded in eth
er hemisphere than is presented by the in
habitants of the thrifty and sturdy little re-
public of Switzerland. Unlike every other
European country, she is entirely shut out
from any direct participation in the benefits
of the immense 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 GEN.
tire of Europe, no mpest tossed waves dash
themselves against the towering mountains,
and the roar and the music Of old ocean are
sounds which the "free Switzer" never hears
in the peaceful valleys of his Alpine home.
Switzerland is apparently shut out from SYM
pathy or connection with any nations except
those whose territories touch her own. She
is completely "land.locked," and possesses
no "royal highway" to wealth. Yet her in
dustrious and ingenious population have so
applied themselves to various kinds of manu-
! factures as to rival and even surpass their
proudest and most successful compeers, and
to send the products of their skill and indus
try all over the world, Notwithstanding the
manufactured article are alike subjected to
the expense of overland transportation for
long distances.
Switzerland possesses population Of g.
800, 600 souls, and an area of Is, ,261 square
miles. In 1910 its foreign commerce amount
ed to about sS5, 500, ,OO0-a commerce equal
to that Of Belgium, with population of A.
9,0OO; about one-half that of Austria,
with population of thirty and half
millions, and about one-ffth that of France,
with a population of thirty-seven millions.
This shows an extraordinary degree of pros
perity. Combined with the great influence
which free government has upon the in
dustrial pursuits of a people, to produce this
result, are other causes. Being noun
famous country, covered with snow six or
eight months in the year, the inhabitants
have recourse to indoor labor as matter Of
necessity, while being surrounded by manu-
featuring nations naturally turns their
thought to manufactures, and stimulates their
emulation. The people, at once agricultur-
lists and artisans, and naturally industrious,
find ample scope for constant and profitable
employment in these two occupations, 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 duty of 8 cents;
salted provisions, lard, whaleboue and tobac-
co, IS cents; whale oil, wool, ashes, rosin
and tallow, 6 cents-each per l104 pounds.
The effect of this tariff is seen in the con-
sumption of tobacco, an article from which
Great Britain, France, and other countries,
derive immense revenues, by high taxation.
France, with population of 36,000,O00,
receives an annual average of 100000
pounds Of American tobacco during the years
1923, which gives fve-twelfths of pound
to each person; Great Britain, with popu-
lation of 100000, received an annual
average, the same period, of 25,000,00
pounds, or nearly one pound per head while
Switzerland, with population of 2,400, 900,
received more than 100000 pounds, or
nearly three pounds for each person.
The manufacture of cotton by Switzerland
has increased with great rapidity. In 1880
the republic had in operation 100000 spin
dies; in 1910, 100000, in 1850; 950,OOO;
the number having doubled in twenty years.
This progress in cotton manufacture is the
more surprising because of the heavy expense
with which the raw materials is burdened by
transit tolds, before it reaches Switzerland.
In 1851, the importation of cotton into Swift
zerland amounted to 27,035, 725 pounds, of
which about one-half was from this country.
In 1858, the amount received from this coun-
try had reached about eighteen and one-half
million pounds, and the cotton manufactures
returned to the United States 5,265, ,l50
pounds. We also receive from Switzerland
large numbers ofwatches, besides silk goods,
embroideries, cutlery, mathematical instru-
ments, daguerreotype plates, manufactures of
leather, wool and hair, books, wines, cigars,
and even cheese.
The value of our importations from Swift
zerlaud last year amounted to sS,36S.O7.-
This is undoubtedly below the true amount,
as the trade in Swiss watches, silks, and
other merchandise, is indirect, in a great
measure, being carried on at ports in Eng
land, France and Bremen. The trade of
Switzerland we'll illustrates her rapid pro-
gress. In 1857 the value of Swiss Com
merce to France was 2S,0O0,O00 francs; in
1855 it was $50, 100000 francs, and this
year it will probably reach 400,OOO,0OO
francs. Since 1845, Switzerland has quite
superseded, in the markets of Germany and
Austria, the yarns of Great Britain.
The above facts display, in striking man.
ner, what can be accomplished where there
exists disposition in people to make the
most of the advantages Providence has allot-
ted to them.-Boston Journal.
EXTRAORDINARY TRIAL OF STRENGTH.
The Troy Times of the 9Th, recounts
singular trial of strength, which took place
in that city on Saturday evening, between
James Madison, "the cast iron man." and
|