Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-01-17

and Of impost goods imported therein, was pass
ell, and which abolished the distinction and duties
which had previously existed, so lar as regarded
the vessels Of those powers, and the produce ana
manufactures of the nation tn which such vessels
belonged, az reciprocated the same conditions TO
the United States.
This act was further confirmed by an act, passed
January z, 1924, extending the principle 20 lar to
include within il those articles OF produce and
manufacture, which could be, or most usually are,
first shipped from port place in Europe, when
brought the United States in the vessels OF such
nation whether the articles be oil its own produce
or manufacture, not: the proifer of which con-
diIons has, is stated by the President, in bis
cent message to Congress, been accepted by several
OF the Powers Of Europe; and 1t being also under
stood that negotiations are now pending with o'her
nations, embracing the same principle, with a still
further extension of it. The question presented As
worthy OF the serious consideration OF Congress, Is,
whether, in the abrogation OF discriminating duties
the restriction at present existing, and conilninS,
except by treaty stipulation, such abolition TO ar-
cles OF the growth, produce, manufacture, OF
the country to which the foreign vessel belongs, or
to such articles usually first shipped from It's
ports, may not be abandoned, and general tender
OF terms OF entire equality be extended 10 every
nation accepting the on like conoions, 10 az
to embrace all articles of merchandise not proh-
bied, of what country soever they may be- the pro-
duct manufacture, or from whencesoever they
NAV come!
In reveriing to the commencement Of this liberal
policy it is not TO be disguised, that the wisdom OF
abrosating the discriminating duties on tonnage and
imPosr, and, consequently the admissisn OF foreign
els into the ports oil the United States, the
| same terms as vessels thereof was viewed by
considerable proportion of the mercantile part of
the community one OF very doubtful eNpedien-
CIV, aud the subject of alarm and appre-
hension ON the part OF those more Immediately in
teresied in it,
To what ex ent these Impressions were well
founded, or how FAR the apprehensions, then en-
ierlaned, have been realized, it has been the en-
deav of the committee ascertsin; and IN order
10 do this they have caused to be prepared the fol-
lowing tabular statements, which they present to
the Senate, as making part Of this report, to wit:
g statement exhibiting the quantity of Ameri-
can tonnage employed In the foreign uade, the
coasing trade and fisheries, respectively, from the
year 1859, to the year 1924, inclusive; and OF
the foreign Tonnage engaged in the trade with
the United States, during the same period az
the same were entered at the several ports there
Of" also, statement exhibiting a compare
tive view Of the American and foreign tonna2e
annually employe in The foreign trade Of The United
States, during the years ending on the 3Oth Sept
1921, up, '23, and '2i.''
From examination of which statements, il will
be seen, that, although an important amount OF
foreign tonnage is still engaged in the trade OF the
United States, and tbuS lar, perhaps, sb,racts
ployment from American shipping; yet as The
Committee believe, from the reference, it will
also be apparent that, with those powers with whom
conventions or arrangements have been made
equallzing the duties, the emplo, meat of foreign
tonnage has neither increased IN the degree that as
probably expected, nor to amount ltIstifying any
great apprehensons, for the future nor 10 al ex-
tent warranting its interference with system Of ma
'ional policy, bottomed on broad and equal princ-
pies, and the Success OF which has already, in par,
| been tested by experience
And the committee further remark that al
| though 1t will likewise appear, from an examina-
ton oil the statements submitted, that the Ameiicen
tonnage, employed in foreign trade, no,withs,and-
| Ing the important accession TO the numbers, wealth
and productions, the United States, since 1916,
has not only not increased but has considerably d-
ninishcd; yet, this circumstance, the committee are
OF opinion, instead of being viewed as Indicative of
a permanently unfavorabie or depressed state of
the foreign commerce OF the United States may be-
IN great degree, accounted for from the trade of
the world having. since that PERIOD and the return
oil general state o! peace, ed to It's ancient
channel; aud rom each nation having resumed thai
portion, which more legiiima ely belonged To- it, in
the trade with their respective colonies the renew Il
oil former commercial relations, and, TO a certain
extent, the increased expectation OF its own pro-
! ducts
The TACT, however, of tile diminution of tonnage
employ ed III The 10 cign trade of the United States
arising hom whatever cause it may, is considered
as strongly cofroboratlng Tie 0piion suggested in
a former part OF this report, that the rapid expan-
sion OF American tonnage. anterior to 1907 al
though, doubtless, much .sss ell BY the then exis-
ting discriminating duties, in part only attribu-
table 10 hat source, and by inference also war
ran'ns the more ready abrogation of whatever may
remain OF them, with those nations " no NAV reci-
procate the same liberal and equal provisions 10
wards he commerce and navigation of the Uli ed
States.
But. while it appears that the navigation of tie
! United States, engaged, in foreign commerce. dur
Ing tie last eight years, has not been e1larc b..
great satisfaction may be derived from the extended
employment that has been given, during the same
period, TO the coasting trade of the country. which
| has greatly increased within that lime, and which.
the last year, occupied more than II 900 tons.
| engaged In commerce exclusively our own; little
pendent, even Tor its materials, on the good or
tie Ill VIII oil other nations; cementng the mutual
reliance, and supplying, it were, by domestic
interchange, the reciprocal wants of the several
! members oi The same great family which inhabii the
United States
On the whole view, therefore, which the Com
mntee have been enabled to take of the subject
committed TO them, and which, for many years.
has been one OF much interest aud attention, both
with the People OF the u. States aud the Gove,n-
ment; although they aware that, from the biab
| price OF labor IN the United Siate-, an index az
they conceive, OF great national prosperity, aris-
ing, as IT. does, IN period of peace frou, the r.
ward which ability and industry are sure 10 NICE, il,
country where every man is free, wi bout sbac-
sIes, PROMOTIONS, or monopoly, TO avail of The
fruits Oh ms own efforts; and where from the com
pdrailve extent OF the Territory TO the sparseness
OF the population, lai or is sure, for long time
Il ~ fHRn H.