Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-07-25
MARITIME COMMERCE.
The Most Prominent Subject Now Befo
the Peonle

The Most Prominent Subject Now Before
the People.
Following is the full text of the commu.
nication presented to the Chamber of Com
merce in San Francisco. on Tuesday, by
Captain William NJ. Merry:
To the Chamber of Commerce of San Fran
cisco-GENTLEMEN: You will doubtless
freely admit that it is the duty of our mer-
chants to do all in their power to maintain
the commercial ascendency of San Fran
cisco. The Chamber of Commerce occu.
pies the honorable position of the public
exponent of this interest In the history
OF every maritime city there are times
when the most vigorous action and the
best judgment are necessary to protect its
| commerce. Such, in my Judgment is the
case with our commercial metropolis at
this time. Shorn of her maritime COM
merce San Francisco occupies geographic
cal position of great disadvantage, and this
interest is being attacked by the power and
wealth of nation that regards as of
primary importance her maritime COM
merce. 1t is a Fact recognized by we'll
Informed merchants that the Government
OF Great Britain designs the concentration
OF the maritime commerce of the Pacific
Ocean at the western terminus of the Cam
adam Pacific Railway.
GREAT BRITAIN's PLANS.
To attain this end mail steamship line
has already been established thence TO
japan and China; other lines are projected
to New Zealand and Australia, via the
Hawaiian Islands, Samoa and Fiji, and
also to Panama, via Mexican and Central
American ports, connecting with her steam
ship lines on the west coast of South
America, via the Straits of Magellan. to
Atlantic ports and the English islands.
These steamship lines will be covered by
large and rapid vessels. useful for purpose
OF war, literally compensated for carriage
Ot ocean mails. An Australian cable to
Honolulu and New Zealand will supple
ment this maritime enterprise, with the
obvious result of great injury to our foreign
commerce and decided detriment to our
entire country, especially to our Pacific
States. This is especially a matter which
concerns every merchant, real estate owner.
and every citizen of San Francisco. What
are our capitalists or our Government do
ing to offset this policy, so pregnant with
injury 10 our commercial and political in
terests? Thus far absolutely nothing.
Shall we simply permit the historical COM
mercial policy of Great Britain to wrest
from US the commerce of the Pacific? Shall
we depend upon the geographical advant-
ages which the Almighty has given the
port OF San Francisco and do nothing to
help ourselves?
In the protection of American interests at
Samoa the Chamber of Commerce occupies
the honorable position of priority. first call
ing the attention of our Government to an
tagonlshc conditions there. Let us then
promptly and urgently impress upon Con-
gress and the Executive, as well as upon
our countrymen generally, the absolute
necessity OF prompt action to maintain our
commercial interests on the Pacific against
the commercially aggressive policy of Great
Britain.
In order to give these suggestions practi-
cal effect, i respectfully offer the following
resolutions
RGsotUed, That prior to the departure of our
racine coast Senators and Repres entatives for
the National Capital, this chamber of Com
merce shall convene in special session. inviting
their attendance, and also the Manufacturers
ASSOCIATION, the State Board of Trade, the
board OF Trade of San Francisco, the State
Nlticultural Society, the San Francisco Pro-
duce Exchange, the Chamber of Commerce of
Los Angeles, the Chamber OF Commerce of San
Cal, the tortland (0regon) Board of Trade,
ana the Astoria (Oregon) Chamber of Com
merce and such other Incorporated commercial
organizations in California and oregon as may
OF Trustees of this Chamber, to send repre-
sentatives to a commercial Convention called
Tor the consideration of the following sub.
jec,s:
J.. The permanent establishment of ocean
mail steamship lines on the routes before
named, and the liberal compensation by The
Government for the carriage of ocean mails on
said lines by steamships available for war and
transport purposes
2. The application of the interstate COM
merce law to the American carrying trade of
the Canadian Pacific Railway, or the abolition
OF the bonding system for railway carriage
through foreign territory.
3. The maritime defense of Pacific coast
ports.
4. An ocean telegraph cable to Australia via
the Pacific islands
D. The energetic construction of the Nicara-
qua Canal as a means of national defense and
commercial development.
6. The encouragement OF maritime COM
meTce and increased energy in the construction
of navy.
ReSolred, That the Board of Trustees of the
Chamber of Commerce shall fix the date of SAID
special session, issue the necessary official in
Vltatlons and appoiut committees TO report on
the subjects above named.
ReSOtced, hat no subjects shall be consid-
cred at said special session except by unani-
nous consent.
have the honor TO subscribe myself
your obedient servant, VIM L. MERRY.
After discussion the resolutions were
unanimously adopted