River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-12-04
Coming Legislation.

WORK THAT REMAINS TO BE DONE.
In addition to the important bills that became
laws before the adjournment OF the last SEES
sion some other bills OF the highest i'm
portance were well advanced toward maj
vote, and now stand upon the calendars OF
the two houses in favored positions. The
present session has a fixed limit, and II
those measures are not now brought TO a
final vote ali the work that has been done
mon them nv this Congress is lost The
proper consideration OF these, OF an
apportionment bill and OF the annual
appropriation bills viii require not only that 40
working day of the session shall be lost, but
that measures Of minor and local interest shall
not be allowed TO interrupt or retard the prog
ress OF those that are OF UNIVERSAL interest
In view OF those conditions l refrain from
bringing before you at this time some sug-
gestfons that would otherwise be made, and
most earnestly invoke your attention to the
duty of perfeeting the important legislation
now well advanced. To some OF those measures
which seem TO me most important now briefly
cali your attention
DEVELOP AMERICAN STEAMSHIP LINES.
1 desire to repeat with added urgency the
recommendations contained in my last annual
message in relation 70 the development OF
American steamship lines The reciprocity
clause Of the tariff bill will be largely limited
ana its benefits retarded and diminished if pro
vision is not contempOraueously made 10 en-
class steam communication between
our ports and the ports OF such
nations as may meet our overtures
for enlarged commercial exchanges. The
steamship carrying the mails stately and FIRE
queutly and OF ring to passengers comforta-
BILE safe and speedy transit IS the first condition
OF foreign trade. II carries the order or the
buyer. but not all that is ordered or bought. II
gives to the sailing vessels such cargoes as are
not urgent or perishable and. indirectly at
least, promotes that important adjunct OF com
merce There is now both in this country and
in the nations Of Central and South America. "a
state Of expectation and confidence as 10 in
creased trade that will give q double value to
your prompt action upon this question
THE AUSTRALIAN MAILS
The present situation Of our mail communi-
cation with Australia illustrates the imrOr-
lance OF early action by Congress The Oceanic
Steamship Company maintains a line Of steam
ers between san Francisco, sydney and Auck-
land consisting Of three vessels, two Of
which are OF United States registry and one
OF foreign registry. For the service
done by this line in carrying the
mails we pay annually the sum Of $4,000. being
as estimated the full sea and United States
inland postage, which is the limit fixed by law
The colonies OF New South Wales and New
Zealand have heen paying annually 10 these
lines e37.Oo0 for carrying the mails from sydney
ana Auckland to san Francisco. The contract
under which this payment has been made Is
now about 20 expire. and those colonies have
refused to renew the contract unless the
United States shall pay more equitable pro
portion Of the whole sum necessary 10 maintain
the service.
an advised By the Postmaster.Gensral
that the United States receives for carrying
the Australian mails, and esoaghs 20 san