The San Francisco call., 1899-01-25
SOME THINGS NEEDED.

oOME lf1lNGS NEEDED.
r matter what may be the fate of the expan-
u sion policy, there is coming-indeed, there is
upon uS-a great access OF commercial interest
in the Pacific This requires corresponding increase
in the costly activities of the Government on this side
OF the continent and especially increase in naval
operations and all that pertains thereto and in Gov
ernment transportation In this situation some things
are needed to make sure OF San Francsco's position.
Since the building of the Mint here this city has had
the benefit OF practically centering the gold bullion
trade here That business has been carried on eco
nomically for the Government and protably for the
miner. The sub-treasury has been the means OF dis
tributing the coin widely throughout the West, and
the fact of the subtreasury and Mint both being here
is responsible for the presence in the banks and in
circulation of gold coin in actual, hourly use through
out this region, and making it accessible to all the
people By this means wage-earners have had the
handling of their wages in gold coin, and that it has
directly and favoraby affected their habits of thrift
and economy is in daily evidence
When the Klondke and other Alaskan gold
became an important factor in the bullion movement
Congress was induced to establish assay office at
Seattle and the effect thereof is being felt unavorably
in San Francisco. The original purpose of an assay
Office to pig the bullion and certify its fneness
receiving fee therefor. That is to say for fee the
Government prepared the miners bullion for the mar
ket and certified its ineness At the Seattle assay
office, however, the practice has arisen of only
preparing the bullion but buying it on Government
account, shipping it to the Philadelphia mint and
paying for it by exchange Chicago. The miner is
not prohted for he must discount his exchange but
the banks profit largely by it
1t is obvious that the proper system. and we think
that required by law would be to pay for the bullion
by warrants the nearest sub-treasury and ship it
to the nearest mint, which would bring both warrant
and bullion in San Francisco. 1t will be seen that
pursuing the opposite course, the Government is
competing with itself, to the sole advantage of bank
in Seattle and Chicago. The bullion is sent to the
Philadelphia mint, which is so crowded by the coin
age OF small change to supply the Eastern demand
that it has time facilities for coming the gold
which piled up there in volume to the amount
of nearly $I5ooooooo All of this business is dis
tinc blow at San Francisco and it requires attention
lest it be followed by another in the estab-
liShment of mint on Puget Sound
There has also recently been sent from Seattle to
Washington demand for the exclusive placing there
OF the transportation service of the Govern
nlent. The reasons given are that ship and car come
together, which is forbidden in San Francisco and
that therefore the business can be handled quicker
and cheaper there than here
Behind this last showing turks another proposition
to establish the great navy yard of the coast Puget
Sound, facing Esquimalt, the Pacific Gibraltar of
Great Britain, the reasons being the lack Of water
supply cost OF coal and other real fanced disabi
ties at Mare Island Now there is doubt but what
the great avy-yard of the nation is to be on this
coast There should also be no doubt that it is to
be Mare Island In the first place, such an estab-
lishment, being intimately connected with our de-
fensive power should be as nearly as possible mac
cessible to enemy. The equipment of great
navyyard costly its facilities are important to
national defense To expose it to assault and capture
is not only to risk the destruction of millions of prop
erty but to expose vital spot in the national BODY
to paralyzing blow.
Mare Island is SO situated that every dollar spent
harbor defense makes it safer from assault In
preparing those deenses the Government is not only
protecting the property of citizens from attack by
an enemy, but guarding its property and another
prime means OF defense
The Mint, sub-treasury and yard were estab-
lished here by the rsighted men like Senator Gvn
and his colleagues to whom was first committed the
public OF California. This State cost the Federal
Government nothing for territorial novitiate 1t was
at admitted into the Union and at once began
contributing to the support of the National Govern
ment 1t has paid in Federal taxes nearly 100000
since it admitted, and has received back
very small percentage of that sum in Federal salaries
and public works.
Our people need something more practical than
ecstatic dreams of great future predicated upon
great past They must understand that there are com
petors in the field and that our position cannot be
held by indulgng in reveries, however pleasant
-
With an amendment providing that every legislator
be equipped with barb wire trocha for the battling