The New York herald., 1873-12-11
The Growth of Our Inter
nal Commerce.
NOMINATIONS CONFIRMED
Secretary Robeson's Five Million Appro.
priati0n Cut Down to Four.
OOLoRED NATIONAL CONVENTION.

Neglect Of the Govern nae mt I'm Not Hav-
Ing q Department of Commerce-The
Importance ofInternal Transportation.
The Senate select committee on transportation
routes to the seaboard will meet tomorrow for
the purpose OF holding a general conference on
the subject Of the Summers investigation Of the
important question entrusted to them, and to de-
termine upon plan OF future operations. The
committee will ask OF the Senate permission to
visit New Orleans during the Chr stmas holidays in
order to complete their Investigations In that quar-
ter. AS the outlet 10 vast region drained by
great navgable streams, the Mississippi and the
metropolis at its mouth, bear An unusually impor-
tant relation to the subject Of inland routes to the
seaboard. The committee, apprecating this fact
is desrous OF making New Orleans the closing
point of their Investigations. Mr.. Window the
chairman OF the commission, Is busily engaged IN
preparing the report OF their lab0rs during the
adjournment large amount OF material has
been gatnered at the different cities visited, reat
ing to variety OF matters more or less directly
connected with their trade, and also respecting
the facilities Afforded by the different water routes
and projected lines OF water communication. This
viii require collation. before it can be presented
to the Senate. There no intention the
part OF the committee to submit its report
until after the reassembling OF Congress
will be some recommendations and the subject of
the power Of Congress to legislate on such ques-
tions will be carefully set FORTH In connection
with the general subject the committee were at
loss what disposition to make Of the question so
as to give it executive force. Various plans were
considered TO that end, and none seemed so feasi-
bic as the creation Of an executive department. to
be known as the Department OF Commerce. 1t was
discovered by the committee that the interests OF
our vast internal commerce was without place
under the government. 1t had grown from year
to year, keeping pace with the march OF progress,
the settlement Of the fertile regions bor-
dering on the navigable lakes and rivers
and the development Of our resources This trade
had assumed dimensions which, 1t was at once
apparent, should have some general management
where everything pertaining to 1t might be known.
1t is no credtabe fact that this trade. greater by
far than our foreign commerce, Is entirely un-
known to the government officially. While much
is said about constructing artificial lines of water
transportation, and annually large appropriations
are made by Congress for the improvement, not
only Of harbors on the seaboard, but of Western
lakes and rivers, there Is means at
hand OF procuring information as to the
extent of the trade to be thus benefited.
The proposed Department OF Commerce
would be entrusted with the duty OF procuring
reliable data concerning the internal commerce OF
all parts Of the country and of caring specially for
its interests The same department it is proposed,
shall have jurisdiction over all matters relating to
our foreign commerce. The total Of imports
amounts to about $640, 900 annually, and Of
domestic exports $3.50, 600 900 ana foreign exports
$23OOO,oO0. The number of vessels is about 20 500
and 81 04 437 900 TONS the total Of sail and steam
vessels, barges and canal boats in the United states
fo
in no wise inferior. The committee appreciate the
fact that department as proposed would be
one OF the most important under the government.
the Treasury Department, with It's wide range
OF duties Is already large and it is
therefore, admitted that to continue Its duties
strictly to the finances of the government and the
annual receipts and expenditures would still leave
o large responsibility on the Secretary. In organ
izing the Department of Commerce all matters of
accounts would be left with the Treasury as at
present. The customs, life saving stations, light
house, marine hospitals, revenue marine, steam
boat inspection and coast survey services and the
Consus In commercial affairs would be assigned to
the proposed department. In addition to the
general efficiency thus practicable it is presumed
that the abuses in the shipping OF seamen would,
in great measure, be checked by q more efficient
system OF surveillance over their interests. The
committee hardly expects any appropriations
favoring the projected water routes this session,
but hopes to have the question fully presented
that Congress will arrive at some policy respecting
our internal and external commerce.
An Open Admission That Our Navy Could
Not Take the virginius from Havana.
Mr.. Archer, OF Maryland, who is on the Naval
Committee made a short speech to-day on Mr.
Scofeld's motion to enlist more seamen, which
attracted great attention. He stated that we had
scarcely 20 guns IN Cuban waters, and tnat, while
he had great faith in our recuperative energy, we
could not in 100 days send more than 500 guns TO
Cuba, while Spain could send 514 at instant orders
The navy could not, with its present strength take
the virginius from Havana, and there was no use
in Disgusting the fact.
Secretary Robson To Get Only 81, 900 900.
The House Committee on Appropriations this
morning agreed to recommend that $4,000. 900 be
appropriated for the immediate requirements of
the navy, complying with the request OF Secretary
Robson, except as to the amount asked, for
which they cut down from IS, ,OOOO to $4, Ooo
The Pay or Part-Term Members.
The law OF 1859 Affects the pay OF some half dozen
members who fill vacancies by reason OF death
Cox, Nesmith and Others IL provides for divis-
ion OF the salary between the widow OF the de-
ceased Congressman and his succe sor. In Mr..
Cox's case, Mr.. Brooks widow drew three months
pay-some $1.s75-up TO June l. BY that old law
Mr. Cox's salary began June 1. He drew
little over $1,000; yet, when sworn in. he
and others members similarly situated were men,
bers as soon as any. They were all sworn In
together. All others drew in advance, monthly,
nearly $6,ooo so that the members who make COM
plant against the salary OF Messrs. Cox, Nesmith
and others get over $4,000 more pay and do no
more service. 1t is the invariable custom, whether
the member is elected In May, April, August or
November OF the year Congress meets or the pre-
ceding fall to pay under this old law. 1t is not in
any sense back pay.
Mnvtu~ T0 Rerousfder NJ cA.-r.-z,