The San Francisco call., 1896-01-22

ana N1cdragua
:. 1t is an abandonment of the Monroe doctrine
II permitted TO be constructed and controlled
py any european power Were referendum
10 the American people a possibility we are
conhaent abe demand for "an American canal
uhuef american CONTROL for the security OF
american influence, prestige and prosperity,
would De practically unanimous.
Inc greatest statesmen OF our country, ire
sPecllVe or party, are on record for the bene-
ncent work which will be the crown of Ameri-
can patriotism. The development of our COM
lnerce, our industries, our international infiu-
en3e, our political and military safety, all de-
lnanu the prompt construction OF the Nlcar-
aqua canai under the control of the United
States government.
Confident that our Government will no
longer delay action on this great enterprise,
Wltnout winch the Pacific Coast langu1shes in
an arrested. development we subscribe our
selves selves Wltn nigh respect, your fellow-cltizens,
1HE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF SAN FRANCISCO.
A brief resolution was also read and ap-
proved favorlng the laying OF a submarine
Caple under American auspices to the
Sandwich Islands.
Inc following resolutions were passed
amid much applause:
ResolUed, That the Chamber of Commerce of
San francisco, impressed with the advantages
OF peace and comfy between all nations, is
none the less convinced that conservative
ana honorable assertion of the National policy
OF self-protection is absolute necessity to the
welfare OF the republic and duty to its citi-
ZenS.
ReSolUed, That, having these principles in
view, this chamber cordially approves the
position OF the President of the United States
on tne Monroe doctrine, and congratulates the
government upon the unanimous approval OF
the American people of a National policy so
ity.
RESOLVED That attested copies of these resolu-
tlons be sent to the President of the United
States and to the California delegation for
presentation TO the Fifty-fourth Congress, now
IN session; also, that copies be furnished the
public press, with request for their puplica-
ton.
In the matter of the proposed resurvey
of San Francisco Bay and its tributaries,
With view TO improved coast and harbor
defenses, the following resolutions were
introduced:
Resolued, That the Chamber of Commerce of
san Francisco respectfully urges upon the
honorable tifty-fourth Congress OF the United
states the prompt enactment of Senate bill
334, introduced by Senator Squire, providing
tor the immediate increase OF coast and harbor
defenses.
ReSOtued. That this chamber cordially ap-
proves and urges prompt action upon the yari-
Gus suggestions made by members of Congress
Tor increased naval construction as necessity
Tor the National defense. The money raised
by the taxation of our people and expended
both in increased coast defenses and the naval
forces OF the republic returns at once to the
avenues of labor and industry and is not for
moment to be considered in comparison with
the honor, prestige and safety of our country.
ReS0Eped, That attested copies of these reso-
lutions be forwarded to the President OF the
United States and TO the California delegation
for presentation to both houses OF the Fifty
fourth Congress
After resolutions had been adopted regu-
lating the lay-days of vessels laden with
coal from foreign and domestic ports, the
members of the chamber expressed them
selves as follows in relation to the funding
bills
Resolued, That the Chamber of Commerce of
San Francisco, having under consideration all
the conditions involved and having reference
to the message of the President of the United
States to the Fiftieth Congress, recommending
the Government to secure itself by legal pro-
cess against financial loss in its relations with
the subsidized overland railroads, urgently
protests against the refunding of the indebted
ness OF these railroads by legal enactments.
ResoIued, That, while the question of the
management of railways by the Government
admits OF fair discussion the obligation of
corporation 10 pay its debts is as binding as
that of an individual debtor, and when unable
to do this the ordinary process of laws should
prevail, otherwise our people have right to
complain that while citizens generally are
made to obey the law, rich corporations and
millionaires are exempt.
ResotUed, That the people dependent upon
the line OF the subsidized defaulting railroads,
in the case of their debt being funded, must
endure the burden of excessive cost of trans
portat1on for the many years of the extension
demanded, an obvious injustice, which will
retard the development OF the dependent ter
ritory; whereas change of management,
either directly by the Government or by lease,
under proper restrictions, will develop the ter
rttory and increase the value of the railway
itself. For these valid reasons, this Chamber
of Commerce fayors foreclosure by the Govern
ment as the result OF default in the payment of
the debt owing it.
Resolued, That attested copies of these reso-
lutions be sent to the President of the United
States, TIE Pacific Coast delegation in Congress
and to the committee in the Senate and House
of Representatives having the measure under
consideration; also, that copies be furnished
the public press requesting Its support.
Hugh Craig, the incoming president,
then read his inaugural address. After re-
ferring to the prosperity which he said had
characterized the past year as contrasted
with the preceding year, Mr.. Craig said
regarding the Venezuelan question:
The threatenings of war which for the last
month have excited the newspapers and WASH
ington politicians, thanks TO the common
sense OF the ordinary people of the Anglo
Saxon race, are being relegated to the past, and
the sneer OF those who have point ted to the two
great sections of the English-speaking people
with the remark, 'See how they love one an
other" will certainly be disappointed, for it
would be the crime of the century should
Brother John" and "Brother Jonathan" be
unable to settle by arbitration the wretched
question OF some Venezuela boundary. We
must not, however, allow this TO be used as a
VI
our SCENT" and forget that our "Kanuck
cousins" are charged with being "little TOO
previous in establishing custom-house offices
on what they claim is our Alaskan boundary.
A member of our chamber has within the last
thirty days informed me that his shipments of
clothing to the upper mines
of the Yukon have entirely ceased because
of the distractions by Canadian customs
authorities, who permit Dominion manufac-
lures to enter free and impose duties upon u.s.
Our countrymen in the republic of the isles
have been blessed with an abundant sugar
than we can refine or consume
and have already drawn upon our port for
] 900 tons of shipping, and will probably re-
quire 10000 tons more, thence to New York.
We may fairly hope that during the coming
year an empowering act may be passed at
Washington facilitating protectorate for that
youngest of republics. If not annexation to our
own country.
Going further afield our kith and kin in
Australia are recovering from the wreckage of
the IT financial institutions in 1893. Increased
prices for their staples give them more pur-
chasing power, which will increase trade be-
tween our coast and their colonies. They have
been unfortunate, however, in a short harvest,
which has become our opportunity, for our
overhowlDg granaries have been already
drawn upon for some % 900 tons of bread
5 tufts, which may be increased to something
like 100, 900 tons before their next harvest.
Indeed, late reports advise shortage there of
over 100000 tons.
The cessation of war between Japan and
China must lead to increase of the commerce