The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-03-30

I
COTTON AND GENERAL BUSINESS.
Cotton, though Welding better returns 70 the
producers than those received from the previous
crops, shows a material falling on IN quantity
ahectinR receipts az this port by over ZO9OJO
bales and at New orleans by nearly 10000
bales, as compared with last year resulting
from the determined action Of the producers,
last planting season, 20 prevent oVerproducylOh
| by reduced acreage and save themselves from
repetition of the unremuneratve prices that
then prevailed.
Under the cloud Of unsettled financial condi-
| lions general business mas not been WhaJ was
| expected from It at its opening last spring, ana
a change in the situation cannot he expected
until the finances OF the country are put upon
more firm and stable basis
OUR FINASCIAL SYSTEM
The new administration at Washington seems
thoroughly alive TO the dangers and emoarrass-
Inents by which poorly dlgested financial sys-
TEN encompasses business, preventing It's
healthy operation and expansion, aud the coun-
try at large feel that earnest effort is being
made by it to afford early and permanent relief,
though all recognize that the disease that has
afflicted our currency system is too deep seated
TO be eradicated in a day by the most heroic
treatment that would not make the remedy
more fatal than the malady. But the honestly
depressed purpose TO better existing conditions
restores confidence pending the period necessary
70 be consumed in reorgaaizlng and reforming
the financial system upon which all our pros
perlty as people rests.
DIRECT TRADE MOVEMENT
During the year the exchange has in every
possible way given its encouragement and sup
port TO the incipient efforts put forth to bring
| about more direct and regular intercourse
between this port and those of Great Britain
and other foreign countries known as the move
ment for direct trade. While an end so much
| to be desired may not be reached in exactly the
| manner sought by its most active and intell-
| gent promoters Just now, the agitation of the
subject keeps the advantages of our port prom
Inently to the front and rivets attention upon
our daily increasing facilities for providing safe
| and ample berth room for the heaviest tom age
atioat in fresh water harbOr.
| GRAIN SHIPMENTS FROM OUR PORTS.
Apropos to this direct trade movement look
| ing to the east for its Inauguration, comes the
| recently started inquiry from the ports OF
| Brunswick, Charleston and Savannah, in con
| ventton assembled at Savannah, as to what
steps are necessary to direct some part OF the
| grain shipments to Europe through South At
| lantic ports The railroads centerinR at these
| ports are in full sympathy with the inquiry,
| and are aiding it In every possible manner
| The west and northwest are also NOV
| ing the same line OF Investigation,
| and it does not seem improbable, with
| changes constantly occurring to increase
| our advantages, that this fan and winter
| may see a movement of western products
| through the South Atlantic ports that may be
| far reaching in their commercial results, and be
| the means OF realizing through western and not
| eastern influences the dream of southern states
| men and economists for more than half cent
| ury, sef-sustainng direct trade between the
| ports of the South Atlantic and those or the
great marts of the world by direct lines of sail
| or steam, or both. Export of grain added to
| the present phenomenal export trade of
Savannah would soon draw to itself imports for
| the west and make economical and practicable
an enlargement of it for the cities in the Allan
| tic slope, when direct trade would be no longer
| theory but an accomplished fact.
DEEP WATER.
Through the continued efficient efforts of our
immediate representative in congress, Col. R.
| L. Lester, continuing appropriations for the
| prosecution of meritoriOus public works has
| civ TlFaR in n
port by his securing the insertion in the sundry
civil bill of the last congress of an appTopria-
ton of 81, 100000 for continuing the work
on the river and harbor. These liberal
| appropriations rapidly showing the
result of their judicous use by Capt.
o. NJ Carter, engineer in charge, and II
continued will secure the desired twenty six
feet from wharves 10 the bar within the time
heretofore set for It, The immense benefits to
| accrue to Savannah from this result accom-
plished cannot be overestimated, and even now
is felt In the increased attention being directed
to this port IN anticipation of the early compile
ton of this grand improvement.
TANKS FOR TURPENTINE.
If it is expected to make Savannah CONTROL
ing market in spirits of turpentine tanks must
be provided for storage OF stock. 1t is hoped
that the enlightened and broad policy that has
heretofore characterized our railroad managers
In making provision for the handling of naval
stores will cause them to see the necessity OF
putting up storage tanks and provide them;
otherwise, unless private capital undertakes the
/
ceiving port, with her tank storage will con-
tinue to dominate the market.
Complaint is often made Of charges at this
port which in their nature are really a tax upon
commerce where similar charges do not occur
at other ports, and against no one feature more
than our wharfage rules that sutticed for com
merc0 of this port seventy years ago The
statutes bearing upon this subject should be re
vised and amended to meet present exigencies
and made equitable and just as between adjoin-
ing owners.
THE F. AND P R. R.
The lease of the South Bound railroad to
the Florida Central and Peniusular railroad
and connecting the two by the construction
of the link between Harris Cross Roads, Fla,
and Savannah, will afford another line TO
and through Florida and also form part of
the shortest through line from Florida to New
York. The link under construction will bring
Savannah to closer communication with Darlen
Brunswick and St. MarYs, aud open up and
develop q valuable territory naturally tributary
to Savannah. a veritaole garden spot and once
the center of wealth aud elegance, but now in
part in state of ''innocuous desuetude, result.
ing from the change brought by the late unpleas-
antness and lack of transportation facilities.
The people of Savannah applaud the enterprise
of the Florida Central and Peninsular Railroad
Company and extend to them hearty vel
come to the city.
The remainder of the report deals with
matters relating to the board of trade as an
organization, its membership and govern
ment.
THE BOARDS MEMBERSHIP.
On the subject of membership Capt.
Purse says
The gratifying increase of membership.
while full of comfort and assurance of support,
is not yet as large as it should be in seaport of
Savsnnah's business population, where board
of trade has TO do duty as well as chamber OF
commerce in the absence of such body. The
membership should be at least $50, when dues
could be safely reduced from $40 to S25, and
the value of membership enhanced by enlarg-
, ing the sphere of its sources of information to
fully meet every commercial need of 80 large
and general membership with their varied in
terests. In the sharp contest for
trade between rival and among
ambitious ports and cities superior skill
In the diplomacy of misdirecting trade,
turning it from its natural and geographical
channels, often outweighs superior natural
and strategic advantages that would seem to
protect from spoliation the commerce of Ger
tain places. But it is not so, and hence the
necessity for every center satisfied only to re-
tain their present position observing ceaseess
vigilance il they would preserve even that
from the commercial pirates by land and by
sea, whose depredatious neither spare nor
respect person, place or power. In this emory.
, ency well organized commercial bodies
are like the watch towers of walled city, and
they should be made strong enough by liberal
support to be also aggressive and keep even pace
with the quick step Of the marvellous develop
ments and revolutions daily witnessed in trade
and the methods OF its transaction.
No. 49, r-faND md hn1 dNrTtNf