Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-09-30
The Commercial Convention.

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attention of Congress, the States, and the peo-
| pie. The report Of the committee On railroads,
after debate relative to the approximations
of local and through freights, was adopted.
The committee expressed the opinion that q
very decided diminution OF the dSproportion
between the local and through frcights could
be effected without injury to the interests Of
railroads, while it would greatly promote the
general convenience The report Of the COM
mittec also recommends liberal spirit between
States in granting reel procal rights Of way: the
dcsirability of an airline from Cincinnati to
Chattanooga, and also of a railroad CHAIN from
the Atlantic to the Pacific, lying entirely south
of the Central Pacific.
The convention took important action also on
the subject Of interior lines Of water communl.
cation, among which is 4 great project which
nearly concerns Baltimore ship canal be-
tween the Chesapeake and Delaware bays, in
length tLirty-two miles, including some ten
miles of river, which will reduce the distance
to European ports lS3 miles. \ memorial to
Congress requesting survey, was recommend
ed. In addition, at the instance Of Western
delegate, preamble and resolution @erc adopt
ed in favor of the appropriation by Congress. OF
n sum sufficiently liberal to complete the I'M
provcmcnts of the harbor Of Baltimore and the
ship channel to the Chesapeake bay. Reports
were also adopted favorable to the James
River and kauawha canal, the improvement
of the channels Of the James, Appomattox and
Rappahannock rivers in Virginia. through
moderate appropriations, and also the st.
Johns river, in Florda the Fort st. Philip
canal, to connect the waters Of the Mississippi
river and the Cult OF Mexico, and the removal
of distractions from the mouth Of the Nllssls.
sippi; the completion OF the Wisconsin and
Fox rivers improvements, connecting the waters
of the Upper Mississippi with La c Michigan;
the Tennessee river and Atlantic canal, and
other canal aud river improvements deemed OF
national Importance.
A report on immigration Was also adopted,
in which it was declared to be the duty OF the
general government to protect AL Immigrants
upon the voyage, at the port of landing and
during their transit thence to their place OF
destination within borders for the abolish
ncnt of collection Of head money upon lmnl-
grants, and recommending the State govern
ments to disseminate information among the
European nations relative to their climate, soil,
resources and other inducements to cmigrau$.
On the subject of public lands the convention
declares it impoItic hereafter to donate them
in large quantities 70 railroad companies or 10
States TO aid in the construction CT ral!roatS,
but holds that they should hc reserved iDT
homestcals for actual settlers, and donated ;or
the creation Of school funds for the education
Of the people.
In regard to finances. the convention rccom
mended an early return to specie payments
a gradual payment of the public debt equal
and fair evying and collection OF taxation
pronounced prohibitory duties not to the inter
est Of the nation advocated uniform tax on
manufactured tobacco. and rcductlCh Ct the
present tax ; abolition Of the income tax such
arrangement of regulations respecting 81"
whiskev tax is to surely collect it without EN-
barrassment to that industry. i resolution
was adopted also asking the refunding OF the
cotton tax, as well as the taxes paid on coal,
iron, il and other articles.
The other chief measures adopted We're rs
follows A report of the committee on naylga-
ton relative to American shlr-buldn", pro-
testing against local rates on ships and cargoc5
as oppressive in many ports. and asking Con
gress to pass a law applying to all ports equally
aud fairly; asking that rates OF pllotagc should
be equal and fixed, except in cases ofgr2at dan
ger: recommending the establishment Of s"a-
mems homes approving OF the views OF Sc
cretary Robson in reference tu the establish
ment of shipyards for building iron Vessel \
report of the committee on foreign commerce,
recommending substituting Americas steam,
ship lines to Central and South America and
Mexico; also declaring the present customs
system no longer adapted to the requirements
of the nations commerce, and ask the ad"H-
ton of a tariff suited to It's present CONDITION;
4 report of the committee on the mineral ana
mining interest, Recommending complete @e0!-
opical and mineralogica surveys OF all the
States and Territories Of the Union by govern
mcut authority and asking the enactment of
stringent legislation to prevent accidents Ia
miners, \ report on State inspections. H.
commencing either the total abolition ar pro-
Der amendment al all State Inspection laws,
which are declared nimical TO the proper pur-
suit of trade. Also recommending the passage
of State laws for the inspection 1T stationary
boilers on land and referring III" subject Of
general pilot laws to the next session OF the
convention. in order to allow the Virginia dele
CATION To more fully present their grievances.
There was 4 resolution adopted also. from.
special committee asking Congress Ia pass
i general amnesty law. as was done hy tho pre-
1yiOus convention One of the final measures
adopted was the appointment OF a special COM
mitteee to memorabilia Congress III regard TO
building new or purchasing the present teIe-,
graphic lines Of the country--th2 property OF
which there is certainly much reason 10 quHs-
ton. Considerable unfinished business was
| referred TO committee "ulci "'S 'pP'ln'|"
to take charge of it. and report /" the nc%t
conventions - Buh Sun.
The English HARVEST OF lS1I.-So large
ly does the annual wheat crop Of Great Britain
and th, continent Of Europe affect orr own
sales OF cereals that ans correct information
regarding the prospects Of English or continent
tai crops is Of the hi chest Importance. The re-
ccipls of corn at lake and river ports IN this
country from the lst Of January, ISL, to the
10th day of September. ISL, have been up.
ward of -. O0U,OOJ bushels against 22,OQO, O"Q
bushels in 1870, and 26,00o0O0 bushels 1859.
Doubtless there is 4 double cause tt"r thls
increase in the partial failure Of the corn
crop last year aud the: abundant har;,
vest this year, together with the increased
acreage and production during the last twelv
months. \ gain, the receipts of flour At the
<eaboard ports for the same period. /. c, from
! a. tb, 70. IN 1t t,,,,,t,.,uh p-