The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-08-23

steam engines, or any, or all of these manufac-
lures of Iron, for which Baltimore possesses SUI
perior advantages" So with cotton; so with
glass, and so with all other branches of manufac-
ture that are commonly ranged, in the ordinary
books of reference under general heads. What
then we regard as of essential importance to the
business men of this city, is the publication of
annual volume, under the auspices of our Board OF
Trade, and encouraged by our merchants gener-
ally, which shall present to the merchants OF the
interior, ample and reliable statistics of the trade
and commerce of Baltimore, embracing every
species of manufacture, from Agricultural lmple-
ments to Bags and Awnings; from Caps and Cam
dies to Cordage and Cutlery; from Gloves to Glue,
through all the changes of the alphabet, down to
Whips and Woodenware. Such volume as this
carefully compiled, and showing the aggregate
value of the articles annually produced, would i'm
part just that kind of information which is of
special interest to the inland merchant as indica
ting where he purchase the commodities he
more particularly requires, and the inducements
which one City holds out to him in preference
to another But beyond the mere statistics of
Trade and Commerce, valuable as these undoubted-
ly are, the book we desire to see published should
be prefaced by calm, dispaSsionate review of the
whole field of enquiry, so far as it relates to the
material interests of Baltimore. 1t should be
clear and explicit upon our lines of Railway, and
their connecting links and tributary roads. 1t
should show the extent of our coal fields; their
proximity to the city, the cost of transportation
from the mines and, in short, it should touch
upon all those points which bear upon the indus
trial resources of the city, its productive capacity
and its commercial prominence. What Boston
has done for several years past, and has done so
well, we also might accomplish, and in still more
efficient manner. In the frequent publication of
statistical information, Boston and Cincinnati
Chicago, and Buffalo, have heretofore taken the
lead, and for this it is, that the people of
the UNITED STATES actually know more of the
trade of those cities than even we at home do of
| the trade of Baltimore. A similar want of exact
knowledge has been felt in Philadelphia, but has
recently been supplied by the publication of a vol
ume which, under the expressive title of 'Phila-
delpha and its Manufactures" covers the ground
| desire to covered in like manner, but with
even more precision and clearness here in Balt-
more. Trade signs are only of local value. A
judicous system of advertising is of unquestiona-
BILE utility to individuals sufficiently enterprisng
appreciate its importance; but a perfect under
standing of the whole trade of great city, can
only be acquired by the publication of statistics
showing the aggregate annual value of
the entire mass of articles of each kind
fabricated therein; the nature of the exports
and imports; the average cost and mode of
transport to prominent points inland, and the
inducements which the city as market holds out
to agrculturalists and traders from the interior.
We commend this matter, with all Difference, to
the consideration of the Board of Trade. A work
of this kind, accurately compiled, and annually
corrected, or renewed, could not fail to prove of
measure, from year to year, the extent of our
material progress. 1t would show the basis upon
which our present prosperity, and our future ex-
pectations rested. 1t would point out wherein we
excelled our neighbors, and wherein we were de-
fcent. 1t would enable others to see, at glance,
what we were doing; what commodities we offered
for sale, and what we were prepared to purchase.
In brief, it would tend to quicken trade; to elicit
enquiry, and to attract custom. 1t would more
over, define, clearly and conclusively, our exact
industrial and commercial position. Such knowl-
edge is certainly of considerable value, and as the
labor of compilation would not be very arduous
and as the cost of publication would be small in
comparison with the advantages to be derived from
it, the suggestion we have. offered is well worthy
of the attention of the Board of Trade, and of the
business men of our city.