Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-03-28
FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL.

UNNATURAL ANU UUlYl1Il knUlf1Is
Restoration to the true line of an American
pro gressive commercial policy moves slowl,
along. During President Arthurs admins
tration it was proposed to take up specif1call.
the consideration of closer commercial rela
lions of the United States with the nations o
Central and South America, and Commits
sion which he was authorized to appoint made
report of the condition of our international
intercourse as it was and what it might bt
under different and liberal policy. bill
has passed the House of Representatives pro-
viding for an American Congress to assemble
In Washington on the LIST of April, 1889, and II
is stated that the Senate Committee on Foreign
Relations will report the bill favorably to that
body. This movement is in accord with the
Centennial Celebration, to be held at Wash
ington in the following May of the adoption OF
our Federal Constitution, and that of 1892 OF
the discovery of the Continent. The latter is
to be the basis of the establishment at the seat
of Government of a perpetual international
exhibition of the products resources, SC, of
all the Americas. Following are the provisions
| Of the bill referred to-
| { First, code of international laws and a
mode of arbitration to settle disputes which
may hereafter arise between the several
American nations without appeal to arms !;
second, a uniform system of weights and
measures, custom-house regulations and
methods for the appraisement of imported
goods; third. uniform code of copyright and
patent laws, for the purpose of preventing the
sale of fraudulent limitations of American
manufactures; fourth, customs union, under
which the peculiar products of each country
shall be admitted free into the others; fifth,
direct and regular lines of communication be-
tween the several nations; sixth, a common
silver coin for trade purposes, to be issued and
redeemed by each nation in proportion to
population.
The President is authorized to appoint
twenty four delegates on the part of the United
States to attend the Congress, and each of the
other nations may appoint like number or
less, provided that no nation shall have more
than one vote in the disposition of the ques-
lions.
The total values of the imports of merchan-
disc into the United States during the second,
eight and twelve months ended February,
1888, as compared with the similar Imports
during the corresponding periods of the pre-
ceding year were as follows -
Two months ended Feb
ruary..... ,.....".... sl25 3909NA Sill, los. 92l
Eight months ended
February 47672S,59I AS .49S
Twelve months ended
February $500. 723 1851 67O4S4,S5I
The values of exports were as follows:-
1888. 1887.
Two months ended Feb
sos sl26SlO,72s
Eight months ended
February ............. 5O4,e45SOS 5l2lOs,s75
Twelve months ended
February .............. 7OS, 725 IA 72S,S21, 800
ship fitted out at Rockland, Maine, in the
most cOn nleta ia ShiQn with ST 90 m launches
selne-boats, and expert fishermen has sailed
from that port for the Alaskan waters. and
will engage in catching and canning salmon
The vessel is 700 tons register.
General Bragg, the recently appointed Min
lister to the Mexican Government was ban
quoted in the city of Mexico on the 22nd inst.
He delivered significant speech which was
we'll received, and which, it is presumed, re-
fleets the views of President Cleveland respect
ing the commercial policy of the United States
towards that country. He said that the United
States wanted no more territory, and only de-
sired for Mexico a continuation of its liberal
government. He said the United States would
be opposed TO any attempt to overthrow free
institutions in Mexico and intimated that so
long as liberalism was predominant in the
Mexican administration, only the most cordial
good will would be shown this country, but
the people of the United States. enjoying free
institutions and their resultant blessings,
would not look favorabiy on reactionary
movements here. He hoped to see the COM
mercial relations of the two countries grow
closer and closer, and good feeling continue to
exist between the nations, which must forever
be neighbors.
The speech made profound impression, aud
was hailed with delight by the liberal admin
istration which is In power. Mexico, be it re-
mem6ered, is not wholly free from the infiu-
ences of reactionary or nonarchical party.
lis stated that Mr.. ingalls,, the new Presi-
dent of the Chesapeake & Ohio railroad, is ar
ranging for the erection of large storage
house for flour at Newport News. 1t will be
used to store -four brought over his lines and
connections from Milwaukee for foreign ship
ment. He has contracted with the millers of
Milwaukee for this freight, giving them more
favorable rates than offered by Northern
lines. The Virginia route is the shortest be-
twean Milwaukee and the seacoast.