MR G. BEETHAM, M.H.R., IN THE STATES.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 5, Issue 1567, 24 December 1883, Page 2

MR G. BEETHAM, M.H.R., IN THE STATES.

Six weeks lias now passed since I landed at San Francisco, The whole period lias been passed by me in uninterrupted enjoyment. The grand Republic, with its fifty millions of inhabitants, has been gradually unfolding to my astonished perception its unrivalled resources. There can be no doubt that America has a grand future in store for itself. It has an active, pushing population, who never allow an opportunity to pass for bettering tlieir individual or their national fortunes. Their enormous area of territory embraces every climate that can be wished for, and, as a natural consequence, everything that a people can require in the way of produce can be; raised within its own boundaries, Their proximity to Europe gives them the first chance to absorb the super-abun-dant crowded out inhabitants of the European nations. This is exemplified by tho fact that 788,992 immigrants arrived in the States within the twelve months ending June 30tb, 1882, and this without one penny of outlay on the part of the nation. Tho proximity to Europe also caw a constant flow'

of capital from the older countries,- to assist in the developement of its vast resources,; 'both agrioultaral and mineral. To show you wlmt an important factor this is, I point to the fact that I was assured by a competent authority that /within a comparatively small radius of Denver, in the State of Colorado, <£16,000,(100 of English capital had been invested in mining enterprise within the last three years. English companies in the same State are also constructing extensivo water races through many of the valleys of tho Colorado, giving the farmers opportunities, that 'would not otherwise be available, to reclaim large areas' of land for cultivation that otherwise would be absolutely barren.' I should say that fully one-third of tho. money used in the construction of the 104,813 miles of railway in operation in June, 1882, has bean drawn from Europe, in many cases, unfortunately for the foreign landholders, to their own impoverishment and the enrichment of unscrupulous manipulators of railway stocks in this land of keen speculation! Unfortunately, Now Zealand-land of promise though it undoubtedly is—is too far distant to fully participate in these advantages of a ready influx of population aud capital, although statistics certainly prove that gradually eur 1 advantages are becoming known. The last amount of public land available for settlement without the necessity for initial purchases from the aboriginal owners has given the Government power to subsidize or endow the corporations that have pushed railways in every direction where land exists for cultivation, or where metallic resources could be found; has given tho country the chance it required to develope,— and grandly it has responded to its opportunity, This, I think, is conclusively proved by the fact that within the last fourteen years it has reduced its national debt from $2,162,060,522 to $1,463,810,400, at June 30,1882. Tho figures for this year aro not yet available, but there is one significant fact obtainable, and that is. that the Treasury shows a surplus of $160,822,546 on Nov Ist of this year. The statesmen here do not seem to know what to do with tho money. The .people generally seom to object to any further reduction of the debt, probably because the purchase of the United States bondswillafFordasafo and ready means of investment, Tho democrats want an extensive 'reduction of Customs' tariff, but this schemo is objected to very strongly by the Republicans, who wish the protective duties to continue in full force, and would relievo the Home productions by reducing tho, excise duties on tobacco, spirits, otc, Apparently thero will bo a great fight during the continuance of the coming Congress on this point, As the representative, section of Congress is Democratic, and the Senate is by a majority Republican, I should say the result will probably be a compromise. We of the southern colonies are interested considerably in this question. If a reduction is made in the tariff, wool is sure to bo admitted under more favorable terms, the wool growers in the States not being such an important factor as tlioss would be wlio are interested in the ordinary manufactures of the country and who naturally employ a vory large number of the free and independent electors. The wool produced in America during the year 1881 is estimated at 272,000,000 pounds. The wool import was, for the year ending June 30,1882,67,861,744 pounds. This is all consumed in the States with tho exception of 3,948,000 pounds. As far as I can judge the production can only increase very slowly, and that only in the Southern States, This vast nation will, I am convinced b8 more and more dependent as its population increases on the southern colonies for its wool. It must be so—the winters are so severe in the Northern States that sheep feeding on a large scale must be an impossibility. With cattle it is entirely different. The Indian corn is raised in the rich Mississippi low plains, and, in fact, on most of tho western praries, so readily that food for cattle is easily obtainable. The Indian corn produced duriug tho year ending June 30,1882, was 1,624,917,800 bushels, Of this 1,150,644,948 bushels was retained for home consumption. Nearly all this enormous quantity of corn is used in wintering cattle that ■ are principally reared in Nevada, Colorado, Nebraska and California, the poor store cattle in hard winters in those regions having a great struggle for existence. If it were not for a little rough hay the ranch holders serve, the losses during such winters would be very heavy. Up to the present time, as far as I could see, no trouble is taken in the last mentioned States to improve the breed, and the natural result is seen in many cases in the Chicago stock yards, where a large quantity of aged cattle can only j be converted into . tinned meats, potted meats, and soups—really goodconditioned cattle are seldom seen, The production of hogs is enormous. I liavo no statistics by me to show the total raised in the States, but a visit to the Chicago stock-yards and the hog-packing establishment clearly demonstrate the extraordinary dimensions of the production and the export I of the salted produce to Europe, Some of the establishments that I visited pass through their hands as many as 12,000 pi?s in each day j from 40,000 to 50,000 hogs being considered merely an ordinary supply for one day's market during the season. The pigs I saw pp through the packers' hands were well-bred and well-fattened-a very marked contrast to the cattle and sheep in the yards. The Chicago yards seem to be the central market for the whole of the States, both store and fatted stock being sold there: killed and distributed in all directions for American cousumption. Good fat cattle were worth 8 to 9 cents per pound, or 4d to 4j[d; stores from 18 months' old to 3 years, mixed sexes, 3 J cents per lb, live weight. All store cattle are weighed at the publio scales. Some years ago " knowing dealers" used to give their cattle for. market large quantities of salt; this of course caused intense thirst and copious draughts of water to allay the thirst, but" the fair round bellies, .with good

.water lined" were sOon spotted, and the owner promptly boycotted. Now suoh evil deeds are never heard of. All stook are/sold by ; . private contract. You'neverheartm auctioneer's voice: ■this rather surprised me, I should have thought tbit in a well-attended | market like the Chicago yards good salesmen would be an advantage. "Very ' little ' wheat is" grown in the older settled States, The wheat ex-.! ported is sent from Minnesota, Texas, Dakata, Wyoming and Mintaua. The older States below; thei latitude where com ,ceasos* to ripen find corn much more profitable than whoat, America produced in 1881-82 ■ Bushels Dollars Whoat 383,280,090 Value 456,880,427 Rye-., . ... 20,704,950. .„. 19,327,515 Oats ... 416,481,000 .193,198,970 Barley ..- 41,161,330 ■„ 33,862,513 Buok Wheat 9.486,203 „ 8,205,705 IndianOom 1,194,916,000 .„ 759,482,170 ■This crop v of .coreals was grown on 943,909,274 acires, total value 10,801,757,226 dollars. Value,olpotatoiowp—lo9,l4s, 494 tons,-on 2,041,670 acres, value 99,295,841 dollars Hay cr0p—35,135,004 tons, 30,888,700 acres, value 415,181,366 dollars T0bacc0—449,880,014 pounds, 646,239 acres, value 48,372,335 dollars. Cotton pr0dn0ed—2,588,736,639 pounds. Out of this total she exported 199,812,644 dollars' worth of raw cotton, the balance sho manufactured and mainly consumed lwraelf . . v ;4/r:; ■; '• Timber-Exported, value 9,197,752 dols Within the same twelve months thero was raised-Gold; Value 34,700,000 dols j silver, value 43,000,000 dols Total,exports.of tho 1882: year were .760,642,257 dollars'; imports, 724,699,674 dollars. Out of this large total 63,69 per cent are exports to, Britain and British : possessions The trade of the Australian colonies with America ia—Exports, 9,109,889 dollars; imports 8,689,424 dollars-balance of Wo much against us.

There arc many other figures of much interest that I could quote, but figures :are wearying, and I think I have quoted enough'.to show the commercial importance' arid' wealth of the States. ■The figures shewing the magnitude of the trade of America with Britain shew what : a strong incentive tho Americana have to continue in peace with the English speaking race, and also the great interest they would have in the British ports being always kept open to them.' " We can vest assured that Uncle Sam will be always strongly on the side of peace, and probably would be found ready to assist if theperiod of Britain's decadence, that soino croakers talk of, should induce any other European nation to bully the old country, 1 Numbers of intelligent Americans spepk in this strain. Although I am ready and willing to admire the push and energy of thia remarkable peoplo, I am not by any means an unqualified admiror of their political, institutions, I far prefer the New Zealand system. As yet my time has been so much taken up by journeying from one place to another that I have not been able to follow the many intricacies of the governments aud statutes of the thirty-eight States. From what I have ascertained, many fmportant differences exist where the circumstances are tor all practical purposes entirely identical. Thus, Illinois and lowa differ in their state laws, although they are adjoining States and very much aliko in every respect. The American lawyers havo, in this respect, great difficulties to contend' with. No one man can possibly master all the laws of the States.. Some States elect their supreme court' judges, in others they are appointed by the Federal Government.. One State has one system of dealing with the lands, and another a different one, under the same circumstances. Somo States have the municipalities and counties joined together for general purposes, others not, I may, before I leave, obtain a general idea of the county management, but to be capable of judging between the various systems I should have to remain in. America'for at least twelve months, This I should like to do, but I do not wish to give Wairarapa all the trouble of an election when efluxion of time will ensure another in such a short time.Unless the newspapers aro thoroughly unreliable, the electoral contests now going on would result, if the same proceedings took place in New Zealand, in placing all the candidates in gaoj. The power of money here in electoral questions seems illimitable, Tho everlasting American rings,,with their.bosses, or leaders, seem to permeate every grade of society and every election—whether for a senator, representative of tee lower branch, or a bank or railway director —the Vanderbilts, Villiards, Mahone, or some other capitalist works his point, The election of judges, secretaries, justices of the peace, treasurers, &c,, give rise very often to combinations that in many instances succeed in placing personal friends in the various offices, instead of,men more fitted to fill the positions. The same rule applies oven to the election of the highest executive officer, the President himself—the rings aro evident everywhere. However, perhaps I am judging too hastily, and a further acquaintance with this political people may prove me to be wrong insome instances, I hope 1 may be, because 1 wish to admire the Americans, and their institutions if I can. From all official men I have met with the greatest kindness. In fact, I think the Americans surpass in civility to strangers and to their own womenkind any people I have seen yet. I paid a hurriei visit to Canada, and Baw some of the public men there, but as I intend to pay another short visit there, when Canada will be in its winter dress, I shall have more time to examine into their institutions. I will leave any comments on them as a dominion until another mail, From what I did see, I came to the conclusion that I would rather contend against tho somewhat too restless Yankee than the half-asleep Canadian. I should liko ay friends in the Wairarapa to understand that my journey bo far has by no means destroyed or lessened ray conceit of Wairarapa and my hopes for its future j but some Yankee push in some respects would do us no-harm. For instance, .with all our magnificent headwater streams, where do we m tho slightest attempt to utilize the. water for irrigation purposes ?; If we only knew how to use our Btreatnsj .they would be invaluable. However, if I say muoh more and attempt to advise, my friends may say I am following the example of

the monkey, and forcing my supposed experience on my friends, There is a curious anomally in this country with respect to the representation of the temtorieg. There are S8 States, gress, both Senators and Congress men, or members of the lower branoh, There are also nine territories or districts that have not yet 100,000 inhabitants within their boundaries, and the district of Columbia (a small area around the Federal capital, . Washington), None of these. territories have 'any representatives in either branoh. > They have merely the right to send delegates, who havo the right to attend in Congress to make their wants known, but have no power to vote, The wliolo of the land revenue received by the Federal Government is received from these territories. Often when sufficient numbers havo been attained to enable tho territory to become a State the land revenue is nearly at an end, the Federal Government having sold lor settlement and granted to corporations for railway purposes, Probably the whole of the Waste Lands, or it appears that the whole of the expenditure of the land fund, is undertaken by the Federal Government, without the inhabitants of the territory having any appreciable voice in its expenditure, Of course all. expenditure necessary is undertaken by the Federal Government—such as protection from the Indians, etc.—but yet it does seem strange to me that an arbitary limit of 100,000 should have been fixed as the number of inhabitants necessary to entitle any territory to become represented in Congress. Each State of the Union sends two Sonators, however large, and each 100,000 of the population sends a representative, who are called members of Congress, You will see that 100,000 is again the limit in the settled States, but tho position is, as I take, not analogous, Highways such as wo have in New Zealand you hardly ever see, The energies of the people seem to be spent in constructing railway roads. Miserable little half-chain streets are all 1 have seenin the country districts. One thing in America they have not the same need to appeal to the aid of Macadam that we have. Here, for a long period, the roads are frozen, and' in summer the weather is more settled than with us; and probably the carriage of produoe and merchandise is undertaken within the two periods. Travelling is very expensive in the States, From 3J to 5 dellavs pev day is the rate paid at the good hotels, the amount paid boing regulated by the position of the rooms.