Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-03-13
AN EXTRAORDINARY ORDER,
Playing Into the Hands of Favortte
Spectators.

Playing Into the Hands of Fayortts
Spectators.
New York Special to Chicago Tribune
Secretary Sherman has issued an extra
ordinary order for the suppression of all
statistics touching the importation and ex-
portation of grain and other merchandise
from this and other ports. The effect of
this order, and the purposes for which it
was sought, are self-evident. The informa-
ton is now secret, and of course is for sale.
1t is in the interest of private spectators
and operators, and directly opposed to the
public interest.
The Financial Chronicle of this city dis
closes its tenor and explains its purposes and
effect as follows
"We have been patiently waiting to see
what excuse could be offered for the issu-
ance of the treasury order instructing col
lectors of customs to withhold from publica-
ton statistics in relation to cargoes arriving
or departing, whenever any shipper or con-
signee requests it to be done. Beyond the
letter of the collector of customs at Boston,
sent to Congress in response to Senator Ker-
mans resolution of inquiry, we have found
nothing that furnishes even an apology for
so unusual an exercise of authority.
This seems the more remarkable the
more we consular the effect and scope of the
order. No one claims that public neces-
sity demands it, or that the order works
any public advantage. The information is
withheld, not because the government, o, its
revenues, or its business, is being in any
manner interfered with or harmed by the
facts published, or because the community
| anffara thQrahv hut oiy
porter or consignee makes the request. The
order therefore originates solely in an indi-
vidual want or desire, and is wholly for a
personal use. On the other hand, the
information withheld has been issued
for years and is of very general
service. 1t affects the exchange markss, has
an influence on thu money market; largely
enters into the prices of commodities; in
word, the experience of every enlightened
community has shown the wholesomeness,
and in fact necessity, of just such publicity
in commercial and financial transac. ions.
The public gain by it because they are pro-
tected by it. and because legitimate business
prospers most under such an open system.
Furthermore, this order in Its action
looks to US like simply cover for specula-
tors. We do not, of course, charge or be-
lieve that it was issued with any such inten-
ton. but its workings is clearly that and
nothing else. The wheat, the cotton, the
provision manipulation, is directly aided. He
can wholly cover up his tracks he can have
any number of cargoes ahoat and the ex-
change drawn against them, when they are
supposed to be in stock. It is not in the in
terest of the public to be thus deceived, and
| it Is certainly not the province of a govern
ment like ours to aid the largest capitalist to
| manage his millions of bushels of wheat at
| the expense of the smaller dealer or the
| daily consumer.
Equally Objectionable is it too, and for a
similar reason, to help the importer conceal
his imports. They cannot be concealed
| from the merchant of large means, because
| he will have the information, and there are
plenty of men to gather it by going from
| ship to ship and then sell at q price.
In this manner the facts were secured be-
| fore the government issued them, and in this
way they are procured and published to day
in some trades, Notwithstanding the govern
ment prohibition. But is it not more in the
spirit of our boosted republican government
to protect the many against the few?
The result of the new system will be that
in short time no one can know positively
what the stock in this country of any kind
of merchandise is consequently, instead of
steady values, we shall be liable to unex-
pected fluctuations. Suppose few persons
wishing to operate in cotton have been at
their work thirty days. Cotton is COM
modify the statistics with regard to which
are more thoroughly followed and with less
reliance upon government than any other.
80 it would be more difficult to conceal
| movements in it from the trade. And yet
what prevents, if great care is used and the
government connives at it, from letting a
good many Thousand bales slip out of the
| country unannounced, and then at the close
of the month, when stock is counted, find
ing corresponding reduction. We do not
believe that anything of the kind is in pro-
gress in that trade, as it would be extremely
difficult for the reason we have stated. But
| it will serve as an illustration of what may
be done in almost every department. Put
temporarily out of sight considerable share
of the supply of any commodity by conceal
ing its shipment, then disclose its absence by
| count of stock without revealing the ship
ment, and the disturbance in values can be
easily imagined. And yet this is possible
under the order in nuestion' -