The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-06-05
Tne Richmond Flour Trade.


yrcss-namely, the allowance OF subsidy
10 two steamship companies to carry the
United States mails to and from Brazii'-.
one Of them starting from New York and
the other from New Orleans. Weregard
the scheme as preiudtcia, to the interests OF
the shipping classes of this country. Inc
amount OF coffee conveyed from Brazil 70
this country yearly reaches about two MIL
lions OF bags. Besides this item there are
those OF sugar, rubber, woods, and various
other staples. which furnish all the cargoes
for the large number Of American vessels
engaged In the South American trade.
The American shipping interests demand
encouragement and not obstacles. 1t Is
enough to have to compete with the foreis y
vessels. "A large amount OF valuable eapi-
tai and useful labor are invested in our
shipping interest; therefore Congress VIII
do Injustice to that interest IL, through the
unwise approval OF this project, it destroys
those interests. Experience has, demon
strated that the establishment OF line OF
steamers subsidized by either Government
is very great mistake. For ten years TINS
Government and the Brazilian subsidized a
steamship company which never PAID SIN
gle cent in dividends, and IFS stock Is worth
nothing. now. although ihe company was
very well managed. Where are those
steamers going to obtain sufficient car
goes to supply them with three thousand
tons each? The principal article exported
from this country is flour, which it would
be almost a folly to send by steamers.
Among the many reasons against it are the
following: The great number OF landings
before it reaches its destination, the high
freight, expenses of landing it. the great
losses incurred by the loosening OF the
hoons OF the barrels, and the damage done
to the -four itself by the excessive heat and
motion OF the steamer. Those facts are well
known, and every merchant engaged in the
Brazilian trade recognizes the evils done to
shipments OF flour and lard TO Brazil by
steamers.
We want more and more sailing YES
sells, and not to decrease the small num-
Der we have already. What shall all
the shipping ports OF this country do
with all their vessels engaged in the Bra
lillian trade? The idea Of keeping all tina,
capital and those laborers unemployed is
not TO be tolerated.; especially when it i:
only TO favor the interest OF two or three
sbipbuilders. What the trade needs arc
small steamers OF the capacity OF 500 tons
to transport the mails, passengers, and arti'
ces like butter, cheese, and others; and
such steamers can very easily run without
subsidy, rs it has been proved by foreign
steamship company already in the trade
for over one year. No more monopolies, il
you please. A few years ago it was almost
considered rarity to hear OF vessel clear
ing from the port Of Richmond to Brazil
under the American flag. Now over two
thirds OF the vessels engaged in the trade
with Brazil from this port are American.
A large number of vessels are returning
without being able to obtain cargoes from
Rio de Janeiro, Bahia, and Pernam6sco, as
the steamship company, in the hope OF re-
ceiving subsidy from the American Con
gress, is engaging freight for almost Moth
ing-onIy to increase the cargoes OF the
steamers, and so to make very favorable
impression and insure the success OF the
subsidy. They will afterwards increase
their rates Of freight, because they will en-.
Joy the entire monopoly Of the trade. To
legislate for the benefit OF the whole coun-
try is the duty Of Congress.
Senator WITHERs got an amendment put
on the bill OF which we are speaking.
This was proper. Should the subsidy pass
it will be something gained; but it is at
best little more than the fancied security Of
the ostrich with its head hidden in the sand
while it's great body is unconccaed. The
Brazilian trade OF this State is almost cX-
clusiyely Richmond trade. Vessels car
rying our flour should load at the wharves
OF this city. Such vessels are the proper
carriers of this -four.
The bill ought not to pass. Senator SAL
IsBURY, of Delaware, spoke truly when he
said that he never knew scheme that de-
served to bemore bitterly opposed by sena-
tors !" than this Brazilian subsidy. He
charged that it was gotten up for the beDe-
fit Of JOHN ROACH t. Co.. and it was an out
rage to give the peoples money to JOHN
ROACH or anybody else.
We trust that our Virginia representa-
tiyes will look we'll into the project.
Tennessee and Little Tennessee.
ia ILL t>o rap,op,borod fhot when the INV