The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-12-03

JUDGES are TO be met In whatever direction relief IL
sought. ON the one hand, the proectionst contends
revenue and warehousing laws: on tho other, inter-
national 'free traders oppose partial modlncatlons
OF system to which they object "a whoie; wniIe
thru class Is hostile TO appropriations OF the pubic
money for the advancement Of any special puplc
good.
The protectionist fails to see that laws enacted
for the benefit OF American industry within our
borders are bar TO the construction OF SHIPS
that are 70 compete with foreign vessels, ana ine
thoughts forgets that American interests extend 10
every commercial country and demand an inter.
change OF postal facilities equally with the rem0test
parts OF our own land. Conflicting views are thus
united IN opposition to the most reasonable demands,
concession OF subsidies. tending to neutralize The
operation OF laws which IN reality act as bounty
to the foreign shipbuider ls forsooth nothing but
boon 10 q especial lnterestn
Against such construction OF claim for relief
from burdens and disabilities unustly imposed your
committee earnestly protest. and they press the re-
commentator, hitherto urged, that Congress be
asked to adopt the policy in respect TO subsidies that
mas signalized the wisdom OF European statesmen.
SUBSIDIES
Your committee regard the payment of subsidies
as more compatible with the American system OF
Incidental profession than with the English theory
OF tree trades and yet In England free trade and SUBJ
sldies drawn from the same parentage, have cock
lsted In twin cOmpanionship since 1910.
In the preceding history OF the s'rise and falr' OF
our mercantile marine IL has been shown that our
sailing packets on the Atlantic were enectualy sup
planted by mall steamers subsidized by the British
government.
the revolution thus commenced has continued
to advance. and the DOMAIN OF steamships Is ex-
tenuing every year more and more widely. The
field for the employment or sailing ships Is cor
respondingy narrowed. In the western world
the Pacific Mail Company contends with the CONT
mental Railway for the traffic that hitherto has passed
round Cape Horn: and in the East tile Suez Canal
threatens To cut or large portion OF the trade tnat
heretofore has doubled the Cape or Good Hope.
Meanwhile the paddle wheel has given way TO the
propeller, and iron has Obtained u preference over
wood as material for the construction OF sea-gong
vessels, being rm, durable and unRffected by neat,
while wood Is subject to early and rapid decay.
1t IS obvious enough that hencefOrth vessels OF
iron Will mainly control trafc on the ocean; and II
the United States are to ENJOY field for their COM
merce as vide as the word something must speedily
be done to arrest the decline that Is gong on to
reinstate our mariners In possession OF the sea and
restore the pre-eminence once Claimed and de-
served.
1t may be asked, how are we to build OF irons
IL Is not easy to answer or the answer Is unsatis
factory. We do not make iron enough for other
purposes, and the duty on foreign plates fOrblds
their use. To the purchase and registry Of British
built steamers there are objections OF national cha
people being equally opposed.
When wood was used IN the construction OF sailing
vessels, and these were chiefly employed, we were
enabled to work successfully against the cheap labor
and cheap money OF other and weather. States; but
when IN the place OF sailing vessels powerful COM
ahoat lines OF costly steamers there was organl-
cation IN our country able TO cope with them, and
such companies as were formed failed for want Of
adequate support by Congress, in consequence OF
extraordinary losses
The situation Ii more forbidding 10 the adveuturer
now than IL was then. No better evidence need be
cited IN proof of this than we discover IN the fact
that two propeers, built In Boston at cost Of
$1,000 600 or 900 dollars zone Of which has
never been 10 seal, have been on the market about
two years without finding BUYERS at one-han their
original cost
IT. then, single ships could not successfully cope
with established lines, nor companies with limited
means sustain themselves against powerful and
wealthy organizations IN the years tnat preceded
the war how can II be expected now. when tue con-
QlIonS are altogether more adVefSef
RECOMMENDATIONS.
Your committee reoch nut one conclusion, and
1t Is thisThat our Congress must initiate measures
at once liberal and justnore liberal aud just than
any hitherto adopted--or the sea must be abandoned
to wiser and better governed naIions.
The time Is fully come when the American people
must determine, through. their representatives in
Congress- whether In time OF peace Is best to pre-
pare Tor war.
Whether, IN the event OF wars that possibly uay
come, We shall be prepared with the needed sea
going transports and other means to sustain the
honor OF our flag against a foreign foe, as We SO
lately maintained 1t against rebellion at home.
Whether, to this end, our fonndrles and ship
yards shall be preserved or permitted TO INTO DIS
use and decay.
Whether our mechanics shall be kept at work, sup
porting themselves anu their families, turn to
pursuits.
Whether shall continue to raise up officers and
seamen who are 10 become familiar with the naylga
bic waters OF the globe ana accustomed to the
storms and perils OF the ocean, or suplney wait for
the eyl! day. and, lmprovlsng sailors oat or anas-
men, then accept with Indifference the issues OF past
neglect aysc, ,,,. - -
shall continue 10 be donated to Western railroads
our mariners on the ocean highway shall ENJOY
'.equal rights" with settlers on the land.
Whether tie East Shall surrender everything to
the West asking nothing IN return or. parting with
common possessions, look for share OF the benefits
bestowed.
gold 10 other nationaes Tor the transportation OF
100000 immigrants. largely drawn hitner by the
contributions OF those who have been enriched upon
our valleys ami plains, where they have found u
welcome and nome, almost "without money and
without price" or whether the vast returns result
Ing from this commerce, hitherto so inviting shall
be made to advance tine fortunes and increase the
wealth OF our republic.
Whether, IN fine, our people shall cross and re-
cross ocean and sea and never behold the nag they
love, or whether throughout the world this nag snail
everywhere float the symbol or . protecting power
at home.
These questions will soon have to be answered,
and In one or two ways-either SO as to minister
just national pride, or to perpetuate our national
Your committee conclude by recommending the
passage OF the following resolutions, VIII
Resolved, That this Chamber to Congress.
OF the United States about TO assemble the modification of
FirForeign built may be imported free duty
and privileged TO carry the American aa provided they
are American owned and not to be employed In coa
sseo~That iron plates such material for the
construction OF steamers AZ may be deemed advisable be
T,a-Ihat on all ship stores Yrocurabs in bond draw
Finally That ample subsidies be granted to lines of steam
built In American yards, TO the end that competition
with powerful foreign organizations may be successfully
inauglrated and sustained
All of which Is respectfully submitted.
A. A. Low
PAUL n. SP0FFoRD,
Majority OF Committee.
Mr.. Low moved that the report be accepted and
the resolution adopted. lie said that II have
steamers in no other way we had better import
British steamers free OF duty.
Captain AMBROSE snow read minority report.
He gave sketch OF the various causes that have led
to the decline Of sailing vessels, and advocated