Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-03-31
THE RUTLAND HERALD
THURSDAY MARCH "a, 1870.
American Commerce.

The question Of increasing American
commerce is being brought before Con-
gress, and very properly, for as the na.
tion is being reconstructed, all those sle-
ments of power and prosperity that have
been neglected, and the extension OF
trade with foreign countries should be
developed and encouraged in such man.
uer as to revive shipping interests and all
maritime industry. 1t must be apparent
to all observers that the government
should aid suOh enterprises to as large an
extent as is consistent with a prudent
economy. A special committee of Con-
gress has been appointed on the condi-
tion of American commerce, with a view
of investigating and proposing plans for
the extension of our trade.
Recently the representatives, of the
Mediterranean and Oriental Steam Nav
igation company have been heard in ref
erence to their proposed line to the Med
iterraneau connecting with lines through
the Suez canal to India and China. There
can not be a doubt as to the value of trade
with the east through these new avenues
of communication. The establishment of
q steamship line, connecting Brunswick,
Georgia, one Of the best harbors on the
Atlantic coast, with the ports of southern
Europe is an enterprise that should be
encouraged by the government, and the
roads terminating at that point, it is es-
timated would annually transport mil
lion bales of cotton to the seabOrd.
1t is proposed by the Oriental Steam
Navigation Company to construct twenty
one first class iron steamships, and ample
capital awaits the passage of an act to id
them. The value of our trade with Italy,
Austria, S switzerland and other countries
Of Southern Europe can hardly be esti-
mated. 1t is said fifty thousand people
would annually emigrate from Italy alone
Cotton, tobacco, lumber, coal and petro-
Ieum, largely consumed by those coun-
tries, could be sold in Southern Europe 30
an unlimited amount. Thousands of
American manufactured articles, agricul-
tural implements of all kinds, engines, To-
comotives, carriages, sewing machines, ct
cetera, would largely enter into trade
with Austria, Italy. Southern Russia and
Northern Africa, provided steamship
line should be established.
II is certain also that by way of the
Suez Canal large part of the trade with
India and China would be carried on, and
that more than million of dollars an
nually would be saved to the national
treasury in duties, which are now lost by
returns allowed on damaged goods
brought in sailing vessels, and which, to
considerable extent, enter into consump-
tion instead of sound goods. Austria
annually produces more sugar than the
United States. Italy has 375, 1000 acres of
land cultivated in rice, and the value of
her cotton product is $12,O00,000. She
Mas ninety-nine ship yards in active ope-
ation, and maintains four lines of steam
ships, comprising over forty first class
vessels. Much interest is felt in the
whole subject at Washington, and will
attract the whole attention of the people
as soon as it is fully understood in all its
relations to the trade and commerce of
the country We trust that Congress
will adopt such measures as will give
substantial encouragement to this enter
prise.