, 1890-12-04
Important NIeasures.

bpANehN AhiNs VI AiNbhAeehuANA GpOao'
Important Measures.
In addition to the bills that became u
law before the adjournment of the last
session some other bills of tho highest
Importance were we'll advanced toward
a final vote and now stand upon the
calendar of the two houses in favored
positions. The present session has
fixed limit, and IL these measures are
not now brought to II final vote all the
work that has been done upon them by
this congress is lost. The proper con-
sideration of these, of an apportionment
bill, and of the annual appropriation
bills, will require not only that no
working day OF the session shall not be
allowed to interrupt or retard our
progress or those that are of universal
interest. In view Of these conditions
| refrain from bringing before you at
this time suggestions that would other
wise be made, and most earnestly in
woke your attention to the duty OF pcr-
iccting the important legislation now
well advanced. To some OF these meas
ures which seem to me most important
now briefly call your attention. | de-
sire to repeat with added urgency tho
recommendation contained in my last
annual messnRc in relation to the dcvel-
OpIntnt Oh RIueTlChh steamship lines.
The reciprocity clause OF the tariff bill
will be largely limited and its benefits
retarded and diminished IL provision is
not contcmpOraneously made to en-
courage the establishment of iirst-class
steam communication between our
ports and the ports OF such nations as
may meet our oyertures for enlarged
commercial exchanges. The steamship
carrying the mails steadily and fre-
quently and Offering passengers a COM
tortablc, safe and speedy transit is the
first condition OF foreign trade IL car
ries the order of the buyer, but not all
that is ordered or bought 1t gives to
the sailing vessels such cargocs as are
not urge NJ or perishublc aud indirectly
at least, promotes that important adj
junct OF commerce. There is now both
in this country and in the nations OF
Central and South America state
o! expectation and confidence as TO
increased trade that will give
double value to your prompt
action upon this question. Tho present
situation of mail communication with
Astralia illustrates the i.Lportance of
early action by congress. Tho Oceanic
Steamship Company mnintains line
OF steamers between San Francisco,
sydney and Auckland, consisting of
three vessels, two of which are of United
States registry and one OF foreign regis
lINs Il VI NIt SUI ltt Apllt U( tllls llut III
carrying the mails we pay annually the
sum ot SIG 900, beng tho estimated full
sea and United States inland postage,
which is the limit fixed 10y law. The
colonies OF New South Wales and New
Zealand have been paying annually 10
these lines G37, 900 for carrying the mails
from Sydney and Auckland to san Fran
cisco. The contract under which this
payment has been made Is now about to
expire, and these colonies have refused
to renew their contract unless the United
states shall pay more equitable pro-
portion of the sum necessary to hold the
service. ] am advised by the postmaster
general that the United States receives
for carrying tho Australian mails
brought to San Francisco IN these steam
errs by rail to Vancouver an estimated
annual income OF 1900 while,
as / have stated, We arc paying
out for the support OF the steamship line
that brings this mail to US of SiG 900
leaving an annual surplus resulting from
this service OF S2J,O The trade Of the
United States with Australia, which IS
in considerable part carried by these
steamers, and the whole OF which IS
practically dependent upon the mail
communication which they maintain, is
largely in our favor. Our total OF mer-
chaudise 10 Australian ports during the
fiscal year ending June 30, 1880, was : H.
200, is5, Whlle the totaI imports Oh iner-
chandise from these ports were only
81, 277, 676. II we are not willing to see
this important steamship line with
drawn. or continued with Vancouver
substituted for San Francisco as the
American terminal, gress should put
1t i'm the power OF the postmaster general
TO pay liberal increase in the amount
now paid for the transportation OF this
| important service.
Tho South Atlantic and gulf ports oc-
J cupy very favored position toward
the new and important commerce. The
eciprocity clause of the tariff act and
the postal shipping bill are designed "