The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-11-18
Excess OF foreign over American tonnage. !. as.
CONGRESS MUST ACT,

American tonnage. 1O.90l
Excess OF foreign over American tonnage >. Is, ss4
CONGRESS MUST ACT.
From thus exhibit II appears manifest that our
merchant marine u last being over-riddeu (r0r 1t
must be recoileced that the above tables apply only
to the vessels In port during this present week. and
that far the foreign trade proper IL concerned
The induces are that our American vessels will soon
be driven from the ocean altogether, unless Con
gress takes prompt action to prevent il. European
ports are being oversocked with ships. and the
cneapness with which they can be constructed IN
the Old World, where wages are SO much lower
than they are here, gives Us poor outlook FOR the
revival OF our maritime interests unless legislation
In some shape, comes to the aid OF our merchant
marine or course 1t Ia not to be anticipated that
our purely domestic carrying trade Ia TO suffer
thoughseven upon this point, some fears are enter
tanned.
A once prominent shipbuilder, on being inter-
viewed regarding this matter, gave his ideas as
RRPoRrER-Do you have any FEAR az to this
plethora OF ships atfecting our domestic trade
BUILDER-l have sometimes thought it would
aect US very seriously IN this particular though 1t
may be SOME time yet before 1t does 80 Ali depends
upon the action OF CONGRESS. This much I know,
ships In Europe waiting for the repeal OF our navi-
cation laws, In order TO pitch into our domestic
trade at once. VI course this would throw our
own ships out OF employment 10 q very great ex-
tent and would as consequence, injure the build
ism In tins connection which is generate lost s,rht
o. and 1t is commended Dy some that commerce has
nothing whatever to do with patriotism. What
=
tity OF grain, for instance, for European shipment
he cares nothing at al whether II goes out IN an
his price for tne grain That Is all he
desires Let American commerce look out for
itself, Is his motto. and he Is not anxious for any
Legislation that snail help 1t onward. Now the
agricultural interest. considered In point or
sns ana 20 os w q
Yields the more potent influence az the ballot box.
THIS is one great reason apprehend, why Congress
An IMPORTANT LITTER FROM THE UNITED STATES
REGISTRY OFFICE.
Whether the builders fears for the domestic trade
are well founded or not and whether the causes ne
assigns for the non-ac0n Of Congress hitherto are
administration Is anxious to bring about saIutary
change with regard to our commercial marine Is,
nTons wei and Is BY no means i'm
cncass prominent feature in his
bs W. mSy as ss al
olicer Of the Treasury Department (Mr Joseph
has been IN this city seeking lnformation as to tn
causes g, the decline Of American shipping. Among
Board OF Pilot Commissioners and got from that
gentleman twho, as every New Yorker knows Is
fully posted on all matters OF TINS characterI much
valuable Information. Correspondence has since
taken place between them, and Important letter
from Mr.. Nimmo to Mr. Blunt we are allowed to put
sent to the treasury Department by the Commas
sioner Possibly 1t shadows forth the ideas enter
taned by the administration regarding this impor-
tant question. MI. Nimmo's letter Is as foll0ws:-
TRxAsURY DEpARTMENT,
DEAN srn, h Rrsnr.ss oyyIos En-, Noys%Ssr lsss
SnS avn w sS g ~ sn NS :; with
New , yss a1 w,. A. editorial hays
chant marine without being aware Of Il. IS folows-"Now
s e: 81 s:s
;;s
soluey protscse from forsn competition either BY tho
u ". % Sss q oS y a Ss
y perfsc: protection Of ninseen+wensths OF the in
ss . a. :
1 "a .sD
s 'Ai s s i;s her
e as #,
mot 81 As #. rSs
which hs social pole
q S
as ss .i Sa he
r. how ssss 'ss :,ess %s 3 s.s' #
sa s0Is1 %
Il sds Ss.s a ossS . sss
Sla M shps Cheapest must, BY virtue o. law
Il sss ~ fsna
S i
In The iarees marine any nation on tie
- tsr:sa 'ses
saa sas't lines re
as
e: ~: II: s:s
% ss
ssss K 3, s
rsa.on u simply this Tho building Of those vessels
:: iss:s '1 ::ss:s. ss-Is;'s 9:
s'ii *. ~e " they = s %sti
s Ss q M I'd ssw
y New , Yr Srssn ne, -.
driving every American steamer trade New
eyes they
ship 10 transatlantic trader
pie q protection from our American merchant marine The
e s sss Sa S
op which nov enjoyed y our ysssss p the home trade
Of protection TO our shipping which Is engaged Foreign
S soq IN
Ss YET q ns
e s S,s 90 s max:
urea. many ~, now sermons and great many new
twenty a. g ss nd
ayss her ss .S s S:ors DO s
strikes me That one PLAIN common sense question WI dspel
the act of Nay - 1879 passodths act by which invited
ss sGa ss @. % on S
spocy Wooden sailing vessels then the only vehicles
We surpassed every other nation in cost speed and ssA
globe aud American shipbuders unfsered BY any
sste Of British Loyds, gave free their
cau.. 70 knew. th.. with free competition We
Of The And we did gain that prize. For
the reason England was until 1893 the per-
triumph Of american sapBnf Even this day sailing
require but lille Of the protection which 70 be
sary for the very erstence Of steam NAVIGATION.
But . great change has taken place. aOd things have
passed away-beholj all thnQs become new" Two new
agents OF ocean commerco appeared Ut the
unesteam and iron. With that wisdom OF forethought
Which has preemineny Characterized her statesmen FOR
propellinc and OF iron AS building materia
secure TO Brish ships the supremacy OF the
1879 and The aurpassei ar nnst