The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1879-12-20
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
Our Letter from washington,

Our Country'S progress Cheap and conpeni.
eat Transportation the chief aid to our pres
ent Prosperrty.-IR The Federal Election ia,cS.
WY toe may be likely to haze Shorl SeS-
sion.-Society Chips, etc.
WASHINGTON, ID. O., Dec. Is, 1879
The chief of the bureau of statistics, has
sent to the printer report on the internal
commerce of the United States, in the prep
aration of which he has been engaged for
more than a year. This report embodies
the results of an extensive investigation of
commercial and transportation affairs in
various parts of the country. The habits of
the people of this country have in their So
cial and commercial interests become con-
formed TO the exigencies of railroad trans
portation. New trade currents have thus
been formed, and in many cases there has
been an entire revival Of the course of trade.
These changes and developments have been
largely the result of the facilities for the di-
ing roads and for direct traffic with foreign
ports. The growth Of manufacturing indus
tries throughout the Middle, Western and
Northwestern States has also tended to pro-
duce important changes in the course of our
internal commerce. Seven-eights Of the sur
plus products Of the trans. Mississippi States
north of the State Of Arkansas now cross the
Mississippi river on railroads at and be-
tween 81. Louis, Mis-, and St. Paul, Mimi,
and are transported directly east to markets
in this country and in foreign countries.
During tho year 1878 the eastward ship
ments from st. Louis, by rail, exceeded the
southern shipments from that city by the
Mississippi river. The cities of st. Louis
and New Orleans were formerly closely
identified in almost all their trade interests
but they are now sharply at rivalry with re.
spect to the trade of Southern Missouri
Arkansas, Northern Louisiana, and a large
part of the trade of Texas. The four princi.
pal east and west trunk lines leading from
the Atlantic seaboard with their western
connections to Chicago, St. Louis, Louisville
and Cincinnati, now constitutes the mos
important avenues of commerce IN thi
country, and the trade currents which pas
over them largely influence the course o
our foreign trade with respect to the port
at which foreign goods are imported anC
domestic products are exported. This grea
east and west current of trade has led to
radical change in the course of the trade O
States situated south of the Ohio river ant
south of the State Of Missouri. The cities c
st. Louis, Louisville and Cincinnati nov
contribute at least two-thirds Of the trade G
those States in general merchandise an
have therefore, become their chief CONNER
cial entrapots. For this trade these citiC
compete aetively with Mobile, New Orleans
and Galveston. In the aggregate ST. Loui
Louisville, and Cincinnati greatly surpa!
Mobile, New Orleans, and Galveston i
population.
Influences have been at work TO hasten
; decision of the United States Supreme Cou
, upon the case pending before it involvin
/ the cunstitutionahty Of the Federal electio
+ laws. 1t is now said that the decision wi
5 be pronounced in January, and there is
r rumor that the Supreme Judges have a
e ready made up their minds upon the que
5 ton. This rumor is that Justices Cliffor
n Field, Bradley and Harlan hold that Il
!, election laws are unconstitutional, while Il
d Chief Justice and Messrs. Strong, Mill
d and Swayne will affirm the constitutions
J. ity of the laws Justice Hunt being of Il
h bench, temporarily at least, this wou
,f make tie, and result in maintaining Il
70 laws Whether this reported division
e, the Court be correct or not, the decision W
lie be final with both parties, and is apparent
n the policy of Congress TO await the decisi,
J. and let it settle the question Congress fail
d TO dispose of.
is The unusual activity of the House Cor
ID mittee on appropriations is said TO have be-
l. the result of an important conference h.
er with ITS members by Speaker Randall. T
or Speaker told the committee that he W
"a satisfied from the drift Of sentiment amO
- members that there would be neither tar
"a or tigancial legislation at this session a
N that if the committed of appropriations "
rs up with the wor,.., that there was no go
10 reason why Congress sAould not adjourn
ID the LIST of May next. The committee col
g. cided with the Speaker, and decided Il
10 they would try and get three of the app
s- pristlon bills through bAiOrs the cORErSss'0