The Republican journal., 1870-06-02
THE NAVIGATION BILL.

Mr.. Lynch's bill for the aid OF American
shipping still hangs fire in the House, though
with better chance Of passage, we think
1t has been modified somewhat, but still con-
tains the main features Of the first proposition
The bill came up on Tuesday, when Mr.
Lynch occupied his hour in explaining it's feat
ures. He denied that the bill was made in
the interest Of any class or section. The op-
position to the bill came principally from
New York merchants, who during the war
had placed their ships under the British fac,
from men who were interested in the foreign
steamship lines, and from subsidized agents
of the Clyde shipbuilders He was unable
to obtain a vote, and the bill went over to
next day.
Senator Chandler has brought forward
bill which embodies the main features of that
of Mr.. Lynch, and allows the issue Of Ameri-
can registers to iron shDs built abroad
We don't know what is to be done with the
Progressive Age by the prohibition folks. A
while ago it broke away from the tenets of
the party by declaring that alcoholic liquors
are not the root of all evil, but that crime
grows out Of the natural depravity of the hu-
man heart. We have recorded that Rev. Mr..
knowlton, though inclined to a belief in de-
pravity, like Horace Greedy ''deiies and spits
upon" the remainder Of the Ages platform.
And now the Age comes to rescue of that OPP
pressed class, the tobacco chewers. Thinks
the tax on the weed excessive, oppressive
and wrong. Its argument may be found in
the following brief extract
A large majority of these consumers belong to
our poorer and aboring classes, and they are thus
compelled to bear an unequal burden.
''Mother," said girl, II don't care about
shoes and stockings, but | am dying for a
breast-pin." Should the editor of the Age
pursue the course SO determinedly and cour-
ageously begun, we shall expect to see the
formation of societies in aid of the demand
for reduction of duties on tobacco-like the
unclean spirit that took to himself seven
others more wicked than he When the
parent society has reached the number of
three it can adopt the motto of the figures in
the tobacconst's window
I'VE three brothers be
In one cause.
Tom puffs, Jim snuts,
And chaWs!'
We suspect that this onslaught of the AGE
wells some deep political purpose. Is the
editor going to rally the patrons of the weed
to his support tor-say Member OF Congress?
Win he hoist the bancroft of a flo leaf but
a tobacco leaf, and endcayor to float himself
into the national capitol on flood of saliva ?
Shall we see the title of the paper changed to
the Progressive Squirt, and issue from a
tobacco press? 1t will be glorious to look
upon the editor charging at the head OF his
smoking, cxpectorating and sneezng army
Let us suggest n motto for the paper in its
new crusade
Sublime tobacco! which from east to west
Cheers the tar's labor or the Turkman's rest.
Divine in hOokas, glorious in a pipe.
When tipped with amber, mellow, rich and ripe
Like other charmers, Wooing the caress,
More daZzlinsly when daring in full dress;
Yet thy true lovers more admire by far
Thy naked beautes-Giye me cigar!"
This, to be sure is from one OF the wicked
poems of Byron-but we think Mrs. Stowe
will grant a dispensation to our neghbor for
its use. And when the Age shall have be-
come rich enough to set up carriage, what
better motto for its panels than GUMS sug-
gestion to his tobacconist frend-"Quid
rides!''