Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-01-12
DECLINE OF FOREIGN COMMERCE.


DECLINE OF FOREIGN COMMERCE.
Until within very few years, American
foreign commerce has been the most impor-
,aut and most pr spcrous of all our National
res urces. The vast amount Of our natural
products, and the extent Of our manuiactur-
in5 industry, demands amarkct of the world
siuce the opening up OF tic great West and
the full development of the manufacturing
advantages OF the East, the United States
produce more of the standard commodities
OF life than can possibly be consumed al
home. Consequently, II large and ever in
ereasing stream Of DIR principal products
flows cut from us by the channel Of ca-
ports to foreign LANDS. Oar merchant ship
ping is the most extensive Of any country.
We send our cotton, bread stuifs, provisions
aud 1mestic merchandise 10 every poit on
the globe, and literally command the market
of the world.
But within few years, according to e
reports Of the Bureau of statistics American
foreign commerce has been on the decline.
In the last fiscal year our exports Of mcr-
chandsc fell off SOL, 1000, COO, while cur i'm
potts increased nearly $50, 100000. The cx-
cess Of cxporla over imports for the last fiscal
year was little less than s21, coo, 000, or al
most exactly ono-lcnth If the excess OF "a.
ports for the previous year. The total value
of imports of merchandise and syccie fell off
SlO1 900, 900.
In accounting for this decline two factors
have been considered. First, de-
crease in value of the exports of do
nestle merchandise, and second, a fall.
Ing of in amount of the princi-
pal crops Of the country. According TO
the statistics gathered and tabulated the
corn crop Of 1881 fell off 80 per cant, the
wheat crop % per cent, and tic cotton crop
IS per cent, as compared with the crops of
the preceding year. 1t is shown that the
decrease IN tic value of the exports of cotton
and of broads,uffs and provisions, was $780,
900 900, or more than the total decrease in
the value Of the capnrls q domestic mer-
clandisc. The two factors upon which the
decline is La ed are, Of course, variable, and,
did the falling of Of our foreign commerce
depend upon them alone, We certainly might
look for return tC the former condition Of
affairs with the changing value of our export.
ed commodities aud tho certain increase of
crops. But there would seem 10 be another
factor in the case, which has, to n certain
degree, been ovorlooked-and that is
with regard to our shipping. So
serious, indeed. las been the decline OF
American shipping, within the last few
years, that congressional committee was
lately appointed to inquire into its cause.
THIS committee has prepared u report, en-
planning 10 Congress the reason of the de-
cline of American shpbuilding and ship
owning, and suggesting the method OF its
revival. The report of the committee sug-
gesls that:
When any vessel, whether steam or sail,
shall be constructed and equipped in the
United States for The foreign trade, iucudin
Tie trade between the Atlantic and the Pa
ciiic ports of the United States, in whole or
in part of materials Of the production of the
United States, the owner or owners Of such
vessels shall be entitled to receive and collect
from the United States drawback or sum
equal in amount to the duty which would
have been collected upon imported materials
If like description aud of equal quality with |
he American materials used 10 the construc-
ion, equipment, engines, boilers and other
appurtenances Of such steam or Sail vessel /; |
provided, that, in ascerlaining such draw
pack, the duties on such iron or steel mate |
'ial shall be computed on iron and steel adj |
Tanced in manufacture not beyond the point |
If plates, angles, bars and rods; and pro- |
'ided further, that this section shall apply |
'nly 10 vessels commenced after the passage |
If This act
This substituting process certainly has
is objections; but still, as the Bo:-
on Adcertiser wisely suggests the re-
rival of onr commerce is an undertaking |
t We are 10 accomplish it without injury to,
" prohibition Of other industries, it must
'ost the Government something in money.
I is as idle 10 try TO juggle this fact out of
light as it is TO attempt coucealment of the
act already admitted that the plau Ct the
hipping committee docs involve the pay
nent to private individuals, as a gratuty, of
money levied by the Government upon the
whole people"
If injury happens To any part of the human
'ody, the other parts must suffer for a time,
ither by suspension OF their own activity,
II by lending vitality to the injured part un,
il it RECEIVERS. Our foreign commerce is in
he condition of an injured portion of Amer
can industry, Consequently must borrow
elp from other parts of the body to which
belongs. This poicy-likc all recuperalive
'rocesscs-does not need to be long con-
inued but should be sustained only
until our shipbuilding industry has been cs-
abolished again. Tie question, why does
he decline of American shipping affect
american exports may be answered, most
by pointing to the present high
'rlces of transportation, and the insuillcicncy
# the means provided therefor. If the ships
# other nations transport our goods, we must
xpcct to pay the higher rate and accept the
oorcr facilities arising from a lack of com
edition. When the shipbuiding industry
evives, then will American foreign conf
lercc not only return to its former splend
rOsperity, but experience an advance com
lcnsuratc with the constant development of
american industries.
1t was noted that there were many deaths
prominent people in the first month of last
ear, and 1882 begins in the same way. The
cath Of Gambet,a, the French statesman,
'as II surprise to many admirers, and the ia
Il attack of disease upon Minister Allen at
le Presidents reception was sad incident