The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-08-29

In the present condition of Virginia, with
so many who should be foremost in the work
OF improvement and development, reso-
lutely engaged in damning and dalnmng
the only channels through which they can
flow to the State, it seems almost folly to
speak of the future and its great possibili-
ties, which the geographical position of Vir-
gina place within her reach.
But the new feature in our customs-in-
land transportation in bond of imported
goods from port Of entry, to point of interior
consumption or dlstribution-has, we
think, so important bearing upon the future
of Virginia, and the completion of the
James River and Kanawha Canal, that we
feel constrained to breach the subject, and
show what other places are doing.
Chicago merchants have inaugurated di-
rect importation from Europe, via the st.
Lawrence, Welland Canal, and Lakes !:
and the experiment has proved eminently
successful, curtailing time Of through trans
portation from the European port of ship
ment to Chicago, and also materially re-
ducing charges, which have become seri-
Gus burden via New York. st. Louis mer-
chants are turning their attention to the
same subject, as will be seen by the fol-
lowing item, which we copy from an
exchange:
Another step by St. Louis, in the effort to
secure direct ilnportations from foreign countries,
tha r.,ft hn
of the application of the St. Louis and Orleans
Packet Company, for the bonding of their line of
steamers, for the immediate transportation of
merchandise without appraisement. The Mis-
sissippi Transportation Company, otherw Sc
known as the barge line, have made application
10 become bonded line, and it is regarded as
almost certain that their request viii be granted.
"With these nnexceptionable facilities asks the
Democrat " for direct importation by ocean and
river, and with railway lines bonded reaching us
from the Eastern seaboard, what good reason
will our merchants have for making further pur-
chases of foreign goods in New York ~
They look to New Orleans as the port of
entry, but if our canal was completed,
making the inland transportation about the
the same from Richmond or Norfolk, as
from New Orleans, Virginia would have
the advantage of, say seven days steam,
and fifteen days sail, shorter ocean voyage
biistil 4NtW OIiCsiiiS COult Oucls
That careful commercial journal, the
Philadelphia North american, discusses the
matter so fully and ably, that we make a
lengthy extract from its article
The sum of our exports is so large as to give us
n high position in that line. We have proved our
ability TO maintain ourselves in that position per
manently, and hence here is the groundwork for
the business of n steam line one way. That is
not capable of dispute since it is upon official
cord. We can and do furnish steamers with
paying freight outward Then as to her cargoes
inward, that is hither, let look at the facts for
amoment. We import largely from the British
Isles, but the heaviest items in this trade have
not hitherto been carried in steamers because
sailing vessels can take them at lower rates
These articles such as salt, tin, lead zinc,
iron, earthenware, steel, railroad bars, machine
ny, chemicals, drugs and groceries. But compe-
tition among the foreign steamer lines has been
gradually working downward, taking in one item
of trade after another the cost of transit could
be reduced by Improvements in ship building,
We know not how far into these articles the pro
cess is likely 10 go, but we assume as fact that
n ship could better afford TO take them at sailing
rates than to go out in ballast. She certainly
could afford to fill up with these If a remunera-
tive half or quarter freight OF fine goods and a
good passenger list could be secured This is the
policy pursued by the Baltimore steamers, and
in our judgement 1t is sound
With regard TO articles that pay good rates to
steamers, the importations from Liverpool are
large enough TO support a regular line They
consist OF goods, toys, jewelry, carpets fancy
goods and generally everything in the transit of
which time is important, the value temporary
and the popular taste or demand uncertain. This
comprehends a wide range of things, as the car
goes OF the foreign steamers show The con
sumption of these articles in the region supplied
by Philadelphia amounts TO millions of dollars
and as the direct importers would be able TO un-
dersell the dealers who buy at New York, the III