New-York tribune., 1868-03-19
COuTERCE-SHIP-BUILDING.

Notwithstanding the sweeping destruction of
our mercantile marine by the British pirates
that preyed upon it in the guise of Confeder-
ate cruisers, we have still more vessels than
can find employment. A leading ship-Owner OF
our City recently remarked that he owned
wholly or in part, thirty vessels for which he
cOud get no cargoes. We believe such is sub
stantially the case with all owners of sailing
craft And yet Congress is importuned to en-
courage ship-building by special bounties, when
the vessels already built can find nothing to
do. We cannot perceive the wisdom of the
policy proposed.
The causes of depression in shlp-bulldlng are
not far to seek. Seven years ago, we grew Five
Million bales Zone Million tuns) of Cotton
Now, we grow Two Million bales. Of course
we need far less shipping-not merely in our
foreign but in our cOasting trade-than we
did. And our production of Rice, Sugar and
Tobacco, has fallen off in nearly equal proper
ton with that of Cotton. How, then, expect a
revival of ship building, when we have already
far more vessels than we needf
1t is true that Iron and Copper are dearer
here-Copper but little dearer-than in other
ship-building countries; but the disparity in
Labor is still greater than in materials. If,
then, we are to allow ship-builders to import
their materials free of duty, why not their labor
also? In other words why not protect that
portion of the labor employed in ship-buiding
which makes the Iron and the Copper, and cuts
and RATS the timber, while we do protect that
portion which puts these materials together
and makes of them vesself We can discern
no reason for a free importation of materials
which is not as good reason for free impor-
tatiOn of the perfected vessel Each is an en-
bodiment of so much labor as is denoted by its
price and, if it be wise and advantageous to
buy abroad the labor that makes the Iron and
the Copper and cuts and RATS the Timber, it
can be no less wise to buy abroad that labor
also which is employed in faShioning these ma
terials into a ship. Nay: as American labor is
relatively dearer than American Iron, Copper
and Timber, there is better argument for
buying abroad the vessel complete than for
buying abroad only the materials which enter
into its construction.
The popular mania for repeating taxes tends
directly to Reputation. All of us who are not
outright fools know that our taxation must for
some years be heavy, if we are to meet our OBJ
] legations honestly and manfuly. And, If taxes
| are to be paid, somebody must pay them let
every interest claims exemption or reduction,
as if its own advantage were the paramount
consideration. Land brings nothing to the
Federal Treasury, though, in our Judgment,
it might and should; Agriculture stands almost
exempt; Manufactures are about to be set free
Whisky clamors for sweeping reduction; and
Tobacco can't think of standing stamp on
each cigar Whittier oil this tends is quite
plain.
We would gladly help the ship-building in
terest and we know how the job is to be done.
Let the Rebels stop fighting with Manifest
Destiny, accept heartily the civil and political
equality of all men, and go to work. Let all
penalties and disfranchisements he therenoon