The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-05-06
ES T ON.
THURSDAY MORNING, MAY 6, 1869.
The Decline in tho Carrying Trade.

The DoC1knc IN thc AEAuOs
The decline in American marine tonnage
during the past ten years is Of so startling
q character as to justly alarm those who
have studied the subject in all its bearings
upon individual and general prosperity. In
the Pennsylvania ship yards the falling off
is plainly perceptible, while from Maine
and other Eastern States the accounts are
still more depressing. Thousands of me-
ohanios and lsborers are out Of employ
ment, while capital is bsdag Withdrawn
from this hitherto productive branch Of in
dustry and employed in more remunerative
branches Of business. If the effect Of war
upon navigation and sll its auxiliary de-
psrtments is compared with the fruits
of improper legislation in the same direo-
tion, the bad results can be seen in strik-
ing colors.
The enrolled and registered tonnage Of
the United States was 5,589,813 tons in
1851, 1885, ,410 tons in 1864, and S,4S1, ,754
toms in 1867 The falling off during the
war equslled $50, 4l2 tons, or ls4, 40 tons
annually. This was the natural result Of
war, but the falling of during the three
years following the war equslled 1,504, ,647
tons, or 5O1,549 tons annually. Unwise
laws, fostering one branch Of business and
depressing all others, in full operation for
the latter period, were the cause of de-
cline three times greater than was suffered
in the war. The tonnage Of the United
States in 1852 was Abs, 400 tons, and in
1861, 5,5S9, ,s1s tons The ratio Of increase
in ten years was IS per cent. A similar in
crease in 1867 should give 6,7O3, 173 toms
twice more than we now have. The ton
mage of Great Britain and its dependencies
in 1851, equalled 5,sO5, ,S69 tons. In 1867,
it was 7,so7, ,s61 tons-an increase exceed
ing that of our own in the period Of our
greatest prosperity. Assuming the value
Of our shipping to be equal to $50 per ton,
the decline in value Of our tonnage from
1851 to 1867 equals $l2S, ,4s4, S5S-exceed. |
ing twice the amount Of all the capital in
vested in the manufacture of iron in this
country.
Before the war there were constructed
annually in the New England States up
wards Of 800, 900 tons of shipping. In 1867,
only 9S657 were constructed. this mostly
made up of small cossting vessels. We not
only cannot build ships, but cannot even
repair them, and this work is now done in
foreign countries, where material can be
had At hs1r the COST Gnst It can in this.
This is one view Of the destruction of our
ship-building interests. But, in addition,
We are fast losing all our carrying trade.
Foreign bottoms are monepolizing the busi-
ness, and this fact operates In most direct
and injurious manner upon American ma
rine enterprises. Congress could infuse
fresh life and hope into those engaged in
ship. building and kindred commercial pur-
suits; but opposition ''rings" have the ear
and the pocket Of that body, and monopo-
lies are created by which certain classes Of
business are allowed to make large profits
at the expense Of the country at large.
This is the policy Of the Radicals. They
are for the few against the many-foraen-
rlehing one class and impoverishing the
masses. They have well-nigh ruined our
commerce, and the same heavy hand will
bs laid upon other interests if power is
continued In their hands. The people must
take care Of their own interests.