The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1874-12-12

itself, prosperity necessarily follows
i have expressed the opinion and repeat 1t,
that the first requisite to the accomplishment
of this end is the substitution of sound cur.
rency in place Of one of a luctuating value.
This secured, there are many Interests thar
might be fostered to the great profit OF both
labor and capital. How to induce capital to
employ labor is the question
The subject of cheap transportation mas
occupied the attention of Congress- New
light on this question will without DOUBT De
given the committee appointed by the last
Congress to investigat and report upon mis-
subject.
A revival of shipbuildlng, and particular
ly of iron steamship building, is OF vast i'm
pertance to our national prosperity The
United States is now paying over Sl,OOO,ON
per annum for freight and passage on ioreign
ships to be carried abroad and expended in
the employment and support of other people,
beyond fair percentage OF what should go
to foreign vessels estimating on the tonnage
and travel of each respectively. 1t is to be
regretted that this disparity in the carrying
| trade exists and to correct 1t would be viii
| ling to see a great departure from the usual
course of the government in supporting what
might usually be termed private enterprises.
would not suggest rs remedy direct sub
sidy to American steamship lines, but | would
suggest the direct offer of ample compcnsa-
tlon for carrying the mails between Atlantic
seaboard cities and the continent on Ameri-
can owned and American-built steamers; and
would extend this liberality to vessels carry
ing the mails to the South American States
and to Central America and Mexico, and
would pursue the same policy from our Iac-
tic seaports To- foreign seaports on the Pacific.
1t might he demanded that vessels built for
this service should come up to Il standard
fixed by legislation in tonnage, speed, and all
other qualities, looking to the possibility of
the government requiring them at some time
tor war purposes. The right, also, OF taking
possession OF them in such emergency should
be guarded. | offer these suggestions be-
lieving them worthy Of consideration in all
seriousness, affecting all sections and all IN
terests alike. If anything better can be done
to direct the country into a course of general
prosperity, no one will be more ready than
to second the plan
Forwarded herewith will be found the re-
port of the commissioners appointed under
an act of Congress, approved June 20, 1874,
to wind up the affairs OF the District Govern
ment. II will be seen from the report that
the total debt of the District of Columbia,
less securities on hand and available, is
Bonded debt issued prior to July I,
lSti..... Observation-Disclosures. SS,SS5,9iO42l
1874. .......s............ 2OSS, los. -
Certificates of the Board OF Audit. 4,110,5 5345
Total.............. ...........*l5, 40, 66; 81
Less special improvement assess
mcnts chargeable to private prop
crty in excess Of any demand
against such assessment. ..,..... s1Gl4, oHS7
Less Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
Bonds. Observation-Disclosures. 100000
And Washington and Alexandria
Railway bonds .................. 5903O0Oi
In the hands ofthe Commissioners of
the sinking fund commandments. 1,74s, O431
Leaving the actual debt, less said
assete..... NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. lo,Jef,JIo!3
In addition to this there are claims pre-
terred against the Government of the District
amounting in the aggregate, reported by the
Board of Audit to 50, 147, 7S7,4S of which the
greater part will probably be rejected. This
sum can with no more proprety be included
in the debt of the District Government, than
can the thousands OF claims against the Gen
eral Government be included as portion Of
the national debt but the aggregate sum
| thus stated includes something more than
the funded debt chargeable exclusively TO the
District Of Columbia. The act of Congress
of Nov %, 1874, contemplates an apportlon-
ment between the United States Government
and the District of Columbia in respect to
the 365 bonds. Therefore, IN computing
with precision the bonded of the District off
the aggregate sums above stated, as respects |
the 1856 bonds now issued, the outstanding
certificates of the Board of Audit ana the I'M +,
adjusted claims pending before the board
should be reduced to the extent of the amount
to be apportioned to the United States Gov
eminent in the manner indicated in the act
of Congress of June 90 1874 | especially
invite your attention to the recommendation
of the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund
relative to the ambiguity OF the act of June
20, 1874, as to the interest on the District
bonds and the consolidation of Indebtedness
to the District. feel much indebted to the
gentlemen who consented to leave their phi
vatc affairs and come from distance to at
II tend to the business of this District, and for
the able and satisfactory manner IN which II
has been conducted. | am sure their servl-
ces will be equally appreciated by the entire
country.
SANITARY CONDITION OF THE DISTRICT OF
COLUMBIA.
1t will be seen from the accompanying full
report of the Board of Health, that the SAM
tary condition of the District is very satisfac.
tory In my opinion the District OF Column
bia should be regarded rs the grounds OF the
National Capital in which the entire people
are interested. | do not alludc TO this to
urge generous appropriations TO tie District,
but to draw the attention of Congress in
framing law for the government Of the DIS
trct, to the magnificent scale on which the
city was planned by the founders of the gov
eminent, the manner in which, for ornamen-
tai purposes, the reservations, streets and aven
ues were laid out, and whatwas the proportion
of the property actually possessed by The Gen.
eral Government | think the proportion Of
the expenses of the government and improve
ments to be borne by the general government
IN the cities of Washington and Georgetown
and the country should be carefully and
equitably defined.
THE MOUTH OE THE MISSISSIPPI.
In accordance with section of an act APP
proved June %, 1874 appointed board to
make survey of the mouth Of the Misslssip