The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1880-12-10

The efforts Of the Department of State to
enlarge the trade and commerce of the United
States, through the active agency of Consular
officers and through the dissemination of in
formation obtained from them, have been I'M
relaxed. The interest in these efforts, az do
veloped in our commercial communities, and
the valne of the information secured by this
means to the trade and manufactures of the
country were recognized by Congress at
its last session, and provision was
made for the more frequent publica-
ton OF Consular and other reports
by tie Department of State. The first issue OF
this publication has now been prepared, and
Subsequent issues may regularly be expected.
The importance and interest attached 10 the
ports of Consular Off ,ers are witnessed by the
general demand for them by all classes Of mer-
chants and manufacturers engaged in our for
eign trade. II is believed that the system OF
such publications IL deserving of the approval
Of Congress, and that the necessary appfopra-
tons for its continuance and enlargement will
commend itself to your consideration.
The prosperous energies Of our domestic in
dustries, and their immence production of the
subjects OF foreign commerce, invite, and even
require, an active development of the wishes
and interests of our people in that direction.
Especially important is ii that our commerci Il
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 hyrtcHlS
and should be carried on i'll our own bottoms
The full appreciation of the opportunities
which our front on the Pacific ocean gives to
commerce with Japan, China and the East Indies
with Australia and the island groups which lie
along the routes Of navigation, should inspire
equal efforts To appropriate 70 our own ship
ping, and to administer by orr own capital
due proportion Of this trade Whatever modih-
cations of our regulations Of trade and nayiga-
ton may be necessary or useful to meet
and direct these inpnlscs To the enlarge
ment Of our exchanges and of our car
rylng trade, L am sure the wisdom OF
Congress will be ready to supply. One initial
measure, however, seems to be 80 clearly Use
ful and efficient that venture to press IT upon
your earnest attention Ii seems TO be very
evident that the provision Of regular steam
postal communication, by aid from Govern
ment has been the forerunner of the CONNER
cial predominant o Of Great Britain on all these
coasts and seas. greater share in whose trade
is now the desire and intent Of our people. II
is also manifest that the efforts OF other Eu-
ropean nations TO contend with Great Britain
for share OF this commerce have
been successful in proportion with their
adoption of regular steam-postal communica-
ton with the markets whose trade they sought
Mexce and the states of South America are
, anxious 10 receive such postal communications
with this country, and To aid in their develop
ment. Similar co operation may be looked
for, III due time, from the Eastern nations
and from Austrdlis. IL is diff 'ult to see how
the lead in this movement can be expected
, from private interests. In re 'pect OF foreign
commerce. quite ~ much az III internal trade,
| postal communication seems necessarily mat
ter OF common and public administration, and
thus pertaining to government. l respectfully
! recommend TO your prompt attention such Just
D aud efficient measures as may conduce TO the
development of our foreign commercial ex-
changes and the building up of our carrying
trade
! In this connection desire also to suggest the
very great service which might be expected in
enlarging and facilitating our commerce on the
Pacific ocean were transmarine cable laid
, from San Francisco TO the Sandwich islands.
and thence to Japan at the north and Austria
liza at the south. The great influence of such
means OF communication these routes
of navigation, in developing and
securing the due share of our Pa
+, cifc coast in the commerce of the world needs
: no illustration or enforcement. 1t may be that
: such an enterprise, useful and in the end
: profitable as it wonld prove TO private invest
v ment, may need to be accelerated by prudent
. legislation by Congress III Its aid, and | submit
r the matter to your careful consideration.
\ An additional, and not uuimportant, although
secondary, reason for fostering and enlarging
n the navy may be found III the unquestionable
|, service TO the expansion to our commerce, which
n would be rendered by the frequent circulation
= ters of the globe. Ships of the proper
, construction and equipment, to be OF
the greatest efficiency i'll case OF mari
: time war, might be made cons ant
and active agents in time of peace in the adj
, vancement and protection of our foreign trade,
, and IN the nurture and discipline of young sea-
, men. who would, naturally, in some numbers,
= mix with and improve the crews OF our mer.
chant-ships. Our merchants at home and
abroad recognize the value TO foreign COM
merce OF an active movement OF our naval yes
! sells, and the intelligence AMI patriotic zeal of
orr naval officers in promoting every interest
Of their countrymen Is q just subject Of nation
al pride
The condition Of the financial affairs of the
Government. as shown by the report of the
cretary of tue Treasury, Is very satisfactory.
It Is believed that the present fin ,ncal situa-
: ton of the United >t,tes, whether considered
y with respect TO trade. currency, credit, growing
1 wealth, or the extent md variety of re-
I, sources, is favorable than that of
any other country of our time, and has
2 never leen SUI passed by thlt of any
country at any period Of its history All ON
industries arc thriving the rate of interest Is
;. low; new railroads are being constructed /; u
I vast immigration Is increasing our popula-
l ton. capital, and labor new enterprises in
4 great number are in progress and our COM
D merce with other countries Is improving.
Q The ordinary revenues, from all sources, for
: the fiscal year enied june 80, 1880. we're
= From customs SiSG 522 Oe4 g.
From internal revenue ........... 12i, N9 313 q.
From sales Of public lands. ......... LOG, SOC &C
. From tax ON circulation and deposits
of national banks 7,014, 97l A
From repayment of interest by Pacific
. railway companies ............,.... 1,7O7, Sc6is
!, From sinking fund of Pacific railway
companies ......................... 7s6,62l .2a
From customs fees, fines. penates, etc. 1,14SS II
: From fees-con sular, letters patent aud
, lands !. .............. 1881, O2o "
From proceeds Of sales of Government
property. .......... ............... 2s2615.5
From profits on coinage, etc. 2,,92 lS6. 7S
t From revenues Of the District Of Co
I lumbia Observation-Disclosures. 1909 400 7,
4 From miscellaneous sources. 400 603 3,
Total ordinary receipts $3.50 526, G10 0S
The ordinary expenditures for the same pc
: Rod were:
For civil expenfcs ...............s IL 093 963 s.
For foreign intercourse 1,2l1 400 -
For In'ians OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. 5,945, o.
For pensions, including Sl0,341, 02520
arrears of pensions. ...... 56,777 ia A.
. For the military establishment, includ-
ing river and harbor improvements
and arsenals. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. ss,lIe9l62
For the naval esiab ishment, including
, vessels, machinery and improvements
at navy yards ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 1s,53e,9 s47