Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-07-28

Inc country hasn't heafd NetN iuuuN
| about the work Of the South American
Commission, but what 1t has heard hasn't
! been greatly 10 the commissions credit.
AS far as known it hasn't accomplished
anything that is Of any practical value.
! Whether its failure is due TO its want ct
ability TO graphic successfully with the
/ task to which it was assigned, or TO in
fuences beyond its control, will not be
known, perhaps, until all the facts are
made public.
The impression IS very strong, however
! that the commissioners, in the main, were
selected more with the idea Of providing
comfortable places for favorites than with
| the expectation that anything Of a bene-
fetal character TO the country would be
accomplished.
The commission was created with the
alleged expectation that basis for recip-
rocal commercial treaties between this
country and the South American repub-
lies would be formed. There hasn't been
any indications yet that the commission
has anywhere found such basis. In
deed, there is wanting evidence that IL
has searched for it diligently and intelli-
gently. The only interesting report re-
ceiyed from it from South America was
that it had been snubbed by the President
Of Chilli.
The commission was heard from at New
Orleans first. 1t was having good time
there, and its bills were reported to be
enormous. Its bills chiefly attracted at
tention. 1t was remarked at the time
that If its expenditures continued on the
scale at which they were maintained at
New Orleans, where an attempt was
made to see some representatives, Of
Mexico and the Central American re-
publics, there would be very pretty
bill to pay.
The visit to Mexico was not productive
Of any satisfactory result, and as tar as
known nothing that gives promise Of
practical results has been secured in
any other country visited.
OF course the question is asked whether
the mission has been properly managed.
1t is not believed that it has been, but it
would hardly be fair to say that it hasn't
until the commission has had a chance to
tell its side Of the story. There are some
things which have been stated, however,
that viii hardly be c0ntradicted. For in
stance, it is said that only one Of the COM
missioners visited Buenos Ayres, and that
be remained there only 30 hours. That
time included Sunday. vi ben no business
was done. In fact, the commissioner had
only one short interview with the Presi-
dent OF the Argentine Republic. Does
this look as if much of an effort was made
to establish closer trade relations with
that republic? Why was this commits
sioner so anxious to hurry away from
Buenos Ayres, and where were the other
commissioners
The commissioners and their secTeta-
ries get handsome salaries. They are in
trusted with a delicate and important
work. IL doesn't appear that they have
done their work well, but there is no
doubt that they have drawn their salaries
promptly.
The idea of this commission was not a
very brilliant one. This country cannot
hope to enjoy a monopoly of the South
American trade or to control any con-
siderable portion of it until it can COM
pete, successfully, in the South American
markets, with England, France and Ger
many, and until it has merchant marine
with which to do it's own carry
ing trade. What is needed is a
reduction of the tariff and modifica-
ton of the navigation laws. When our
manufacturers can produce goods at less
cost, and our merchants own the steamers
needed for their trade, we will control the
trade of Mexico, Central and South
America, and there is no prospect that we
will be- fable TO do it before that time.