Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-21
BUSINESS MEMS VIEWS.
The National B0Hietor;ca,
Topics o. A...-

siderations For and Against Postal
Tslegraphy-Danger to Commerce
Continuing War Taxes.
WAsR1NGroN, January 19.-Refore the
Taylor. o. 8. n, read q paper on the
progress of work on the Nicaragua Canal
and the important commercial results to
follow it's construction. Captain Taylor
saic: The requirements OF commerce make
it certain that there will be transit for
ships between the Atlantic and Pacific
oceans. American engineers are now on
the ground resurveying the route and max
ing a final location Of the line OF the canal.
j. NJ. Miller, manager OF the Stonington
Steamboat Line. followed. He said the
International commerce OF the Western
States seeking exit through the Mississippi
10 ready :or the market oi South America.
The mineral, grain aud lumber OF tn Paci-
fic States and Territories await u shorter
channel to Eastern markets. What may
be the development OF the trade Of Central
America the future must show. but to-day
the tonnage exists to yield to thu Isthman
Canal II per cent. on a capital of a hun
dred million dollars. Mr.. Miller argued the
superiority Of the Nicaragua route and de-
elared that England and Germany stand
steady to avail themselves OF the oppor
tunity should it offer to control this route
No action was taken on the subject.
NATIONAL TELEaRAPHY
was taken up. Mr.. Thurber Of New York
submitted answers to the questions he
had sent to Kenrick B. Murray. Secretary
of th~ London Chamber OF Commerce. Mir.
Murray in substance said the purchase
and operation OF telegraphs by the Brit
ish Government were successful as far as
service and quickness were ccncerncd, but
not financially to the pcstoffice. ter
tainly the secrecy OF the service was i'm
proved under the postoffice managene-,t.
The increase Of employees III the postoffice
service had not been productive If pc!it-
cal evils. The Inducements to get out new
in telegraphy was not 50 great
under the Government system as if the
system was in private bands. Recent ie
dactions in tolls have been of great benefit
to the public, the number o! messages sent
having Increased SO per cent. but the reve
nue. increased only per cent. An almost
universal popular sentiment is against
return to private management. Mr..
Goyernmenthad
PAID FOR LARGE ADDITIONS
to the plant out OF current receipts. and il
the telegraphs had not each ear paid the
interest on the bonds issued for their pur-
chase. if they had been credited with these
to the free 81 rvice OF the Gov
department, they would haN
oh fn hn ro1i H4rio %r
interest on the bonds, and If they wtrs
credited with the increase Of service gwen
The public beyond what private companies
we're giving, it would show an enormous
balance On the credit side.
THE OTHER SIDE.
Erastus Wiman, of New York, spoke in
opposition to Government control, claim
ing that British reports showed q steady
iefcit, and to meet it the whole ropua-
ion W.. taxed; that few could use the
service; that the service was bad, being
tardy and uncertain, with TO redress for
Zross negligence. II the British telegraph
.ystem, in q circunscribed area, showed
So, 300, 900 yearly deficit, in the United
States, with its great area, the same sys-
EN- would show a deficit o! $4,000, 900.
II the United States adopted the system i,
Would Increase tho employees 100, 600, and
'hese employees wou!C t-ei bound to ~,rk
=: ~ '"fn"oef nj their l,:.nediate em-
the usefulness "f Of the Posto6ffSSt 6ffSis n th"t
nent should be extended IL the dire"'ion OF
telegraphic communication. and Congress
was urged to Il favorab BILE consideration OF
the question as early as possible.
The Executive Council was directed to
Congress to provide for recip-
rocity with Canada. The question OF
abolition or reduction If the Internal
Revenue tax occupied "a large Snare OF Al
tention. 1t WIS resolve d that recent events
have shown the danger to the bnsiness IN
terests OF the country from the Govern
ment continuing in time OF peace 'ha exren-
sive taxation which " necessary in time
Of wa,. TIE large surplus in the 'r"a-ury
ties up the circula ting medium which Is the
lifebood OF commerce, exposes the peopi'
to still greater taxation in the shape 81
nigh rates OF interest, acts as d menace to
industry, dwsrfs business enterprises,
gives the treasury power over commerce
which was never contemplated and is II
constant temptation to extravagance in
the administration of tie Government,
be it
Resolved, That the businfs men Of s. II
parties, whether protertionihts or free
,rade,s. should unite in demanding early
act on by Congress to reduce the present
enormous revenue in H way which will least
embarrass existing industries.
Resolved, That while 1t is desirable TO re-
duce the internal taxes it is not desira bic
to abolish the internal revenue system as a
whole.
A resolution embodying proposition to
the total repeal OF internal
revenue taxes failed.