Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1880-12-08
for carrying into effect the provisions of the act
CONSULAR COMMERCIAL AID.

The efforts of the department of state to Ell
large the trade and commerce of the United
States through the active agency of consular
officers and through the dissemination of infor-
nation obtained from them, have been unre-
Taxed. The interest in these efforts as developed
III our commercial communities and the value of
the information secured by this means to the
trade and manufactures Of the country were re-
cognlZed by congress at its last session and pro-
vision was made for the more frequent publica-
ton of consular and other reports by The de-
partment of state. The first issue of this pubca-
ton has now been prepared aud snbsequentissues
NAV regularly be expected. The importance
and interest attached to the reports of consular
officers are witnessed by the general demand
for them by all classes of merchants and manu-
facturers engaged in our foreign trade. Tt is
believed that the system of such publications
is deserving of the approval of congress, and
that the necessary appropriations for its con-
tinuance and enlargement will commend itself
to your consideration The prosperous ener-
gies of our domestic Industries and their inn
mense production of the subjects of foreign
commerce invite and even require an active de-
velopment of the wishes and interests of our
people in that direction.
POSTAL FACILITIES
Especially important is 1t that our commercial
relations with the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of
South America, with the West Indies and the
Gulf of Mexico should be direct and not through
the circuit OF European systems and should be
carried on in our own bottoms. The full appre-
citation of the opportunities which our front on
the Pacific ocean gives to commerce with ia
pan, China and the East Indies, with Austria
and the Island groups which lie along these
routes of navigation should inspire equal efforts
to appropriate to our own shipping and to adj
munster by our own capital due proportion OF
this trade. Whatever modification Of our regll-
lations of trade and navigation NAV be neces-
n moot md fhp,
to the enlargement of our exchanges and of our
carrying trade, am sure the wisdom of congress
VIII be ready to supply. One initial measure
however seems to me SO clearly useful and eff
Gent that L venture to press it upon your
earnest attention. 1t seems to be very evident
that the provision of regular steam postal COM
munlcation by aid from the government has
been the fOrerunner of the commercial predom-
lnence OF Great Britain on all these coasts and
seas, greater share IN whose trade is now the
desire and the intent of our people. 1t is also
manifest that the efforts of other European
nations to contend with Great Britain for
share of this commerce have been successful il
proportion with their adoption of regular steam
postal communication with the markets whose
trade they sought. Mexico and the states of
South America are anxious to receive such pos
tai communications with this country and to
aid IN their development. Similar cooperation
may be looked for in due time from the eastern
nations and from Australia. It Is difficult to
see how the lead of this movement can be ex-
pected from private interests. In respect of
foreign commerce, quite as much as in internal
trade, postal communication seems necessarily
matter OF common and public administration.
and thus pertaining to the government. l
respectfully recommend to your prompt atten-
ton such just and official reasons as may con-
duce to the development of our foreign COM
merclal exchanges and the building up of our
carrying trade. In this connection
desire also to suggest the very great service
which might be expected by charging and ia
ciitating Cur commerce on the Pacific ocean.
Were a traDsmaTine cable laid from San Fran
cisco to the Sandwich Islands and thence to
Japan at the north and Australia at the SOUTH
the great influence Of such means of commune
cation on these routes of navigation in develop
ing and securing the due share of our Pacific
coast In the commerce of the world. needs no
illustration or enforcement. 1t may be that
such an enterprise, useful and in the end profit
able as it would prove to private investment,
may need to be accelerated by prudent legisla-
ton by congress in its aid, and / submit the
matter to your careful consideration.
ENLARGING THE NAVY.
An additional and not unimportant, although
secondary reason. for fostering and enlareing
the navy may be found in the unquestionable
service to the expansion OF our commerce which
would be rendered by the frequent circulation
of naval ships IN the seas and ports of all guar
tiers OF the globe. Ships of the proper con-
struction and equipment to be of the greatest
efficiency in case of maritime war, might be
made constant and active agents in time of
peace IN the advancement and protection OF our
foreign trade and in nurture and discipline of
young searnen who would naturally III some
numbers mix with and improve the crews of our
merchant ships. Our merchants at home and
abroad recognize the value to foreign commerce
OF an active movement of our naval vassels
and the intelligence and patriotic zeal of our
naval officers In promoting every interest of
Their countrymen Is just subject of national
pride.
FINANCES.
The condition of the financial aifaiis Of the
government al shown by the report of the sec
Rotary of the treasury is very satisfactory. 1t
Is believed that the present financial situation
of the United States, whether considered with
respect to trade, currency, credit, growing
wealth or the extent and variety of our re-
sources, is more favorable than that of any
other country Of our time and has never been
surpassed by that of any country at any period
of its history. All our industries are thriving
the rate Of interest is low, railroads are be-
Zig constructed, a vast immigration is increas-
ing our population, capital and labor, new en-
terpllses III great number are in progress and
our commercial relations with other countries
are improving.
the fiscal year ended June 3d. 1880, were: From
customs, SI66, 522, 064.60; from internal revenue
$124.009, 1882; from sales of public lands
S1,0l6, 506.60; from tax Oh circulation and de-
posts of national banks, $40, 149, I'll. Al; from
repayment Of interest by Pacific railway COM
panies, 81, 7O7, 367.1S; from sinking fund for
Pacific railway companies, S79e, 6z1. %; from
customs fees, fines, penalties, etc., $1,148,-
800.16 from fees, fines, consular letters patent
and lands. 50, 1887, 0290G: from proceeds of
government property. $3s2, $780,; from profits
on coinage, etc, s., 7ea, 1868 from revenue
of the District of Columbia, 81, 8O9, 1863. 20;
from miscellaneous sources, 81, 099, 603 So; total
ordinary receipts, $685., SIG, 61O.98. The
ordinary expenditures for the same
period were: For civil expenses, S15, 693,
$685.; for foreign intercourse, $1,211,-
390.5S; for Indians, So, 945, 457.O9; for
pensions, including SIS, 341, O25.zO arrears of
pensions. $50, III. 17444 for the military estab-
lishment, including river and haTbor improve
ments and arsenals, 1913, 116, 1892; for the
naval establishment, including vessels, machir-
ely and improvements at navy yards, $13, $780,
984. "A; for miscellaneous expenditures, includ-
ing public buildings, lighthouses and collecting
the revenue, 1874, 535, 691; for expenditures on
account Of the District of Columbia, S., 272, :
334.63; for interest on the public debt, 1876, 757,