Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1878-07-19
Chicago Reaching After Trade.
San Francisco Bnlletin.

san francisco Bulletin.
There is probably no city in the Union
which reaches out more vigorously after
trade than Chicago. When the Con-
tinental Railroad opened up the vast
northwest, Chicago merchants were the
first in the field. They overran the
Territories Utah, Idaho, and Montana
were thoroughly canvassed. The
Chicago drummer made his appearance
i'll San Francisco, and offered to sell by
sample, for greenbacks, goods at rs
tonishing low prices. Considerable
trade was picked up. But finally mat
tiers settled down to normal condition.
That part Of the northwest which was
fairly tributry TO San Francisco bought
goods i'll this market. As for the rest, it
was supplied from Chicago and New
York. Utah, IN instance, buys partly
IN the former places and partly i'll San
Francisco. Nevada and Washington
Territory, with the great state of Oregon,
buy IN this market. Arizona is tribu-
tary to San Francisco. The best mines
of that Territory are owned by Califor-
mans. The natural highway of
inland commerce is over the Southern
Pacific Railroad.
1t is interesting to note that recently
Il meeting of merchants and business
men was held in Chicago to devise meas
ures TO secure the trade with Mexico
The statement made ut that meeting
was that Mexico imported goods to the
value of $4,000, 900 annually, of which
only about S5OOO,00O were drawn from
the United States. Resolutions were
| ,ftA fnI f., G.,
ton that immediate efforts ought to be
made to secure a market for Chicago
manufactured goods in Mexico. IfChi-
cago can secure much of the trade of
that country it will be by means Of the
Atchison, Topeka Il Santa Fe railroad
which is pushing toward the Rio Grande.
But st. Louis, in some sense, holds the
key of the position. She has direct
railroad to Atchison, and is directly in
terested in the road which every day is
progressing toward Santa Fee. She has
also the larger part of the trade with
New Mexico, and will not be likely to
give it up.
If the merchants and the manfactur-
ers Of Chicago are looking with such
eagerness to the new outlet for trade, il
certainly cannot lie Of less interest to
the business men Of San Francisco
This city commands the trade of Arizo-
ma, which will hereafter increase rapid
y. If the Southern Pacific Road were
now down to the Rio Grande, san
Francisco would command the largest
share of Mexican trade
The two cities which, by geographical
position NAV be said To have the key.
of Mexican trade are San Francisco
and st. Louis. Both have roads push.
ing to the eastern side Of Mexico. OF
the SO, 100000 Of imports of that coun-
try, this city to-day makes small
figure We have some west coast COM
mercc, which increases very slowly.
Mexico has no commercial fleet, OF
none worthy of notice. The railroad
from Vera Cruz 70 Mexico, 2G3 miles
long, cost S37, 100000, and earns some
thing above 100000 IL year, with
growing business Chicago is more
remote from the centres Of trade iii
Mexico by at least POO miles than is
San Francisco. Now, with Il direct
commercial route by way Of the coast.
and another BY way Of Arizona and the
Rio Gande, the advantage for direct
trade could hardly be overestimated.
The great mining districts, as well as
the greatest cities Of Mexico must he
reached. Chicago reaches out after the
trade With Mexico as naturally a.
she explored and canvassed
all the vast territory opened up by the
Continental Railroad.