The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1873-02-22
The Australian Steamship Subsidy.
The .gIfa of the 4th has the following:

The J7HG of the 4h has the blowing
Our dispatches from Washington announce the
defeat Of the Australian subsidy, which closes the
Webb line between this port and the Australian Col
Ouies. The steamer which sails to-day will probably
be the last to leave this city. She is supposed to take
out orders for each ship in the line to return 10 this
port and await orders This will be n severe blow to
American interests in the Pacific, and in all proba-
bility throws the trade between this port aud the
Australian Colonies into the hands Of English ship
owners.
1t is singular that the China line could obtain
semi-monthly service with a subsidy Of $500, 600 per
annum, and the Australian line be beaten.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2-Senate.-A motion to lay
on the table the Webb Australian Steamship Subsidy
Bill, made for the purpose Of killing the measure,
was agreed 10 by So to 81.
We clip the following on the same subject from the
Gail Of the 9Th
Senators Morton and Corbett had been present yes
terday, their votes, with another not at the moment
available, would have saved it. They expect TO carry
II by an amendment to the appropriation bill, and
will succeed when the measure is relieved from the
railroad faint.
1t is alleged that the Webb Australian Steamship
Subsidy Bill was lost IN the Senate because it was
believed that an alliance had been formed with the
Central Pacific Railroad Company.
The story which we gave recently TO the effect that
Gen. Burnside and Col. Scott were interested in a new
line of steamships to Australia, and which was sub
-'1-~-- ~ ~ Z" eNAfe - "6HA1 ~
viewed and this time appears to he well founded.
Gen. burnside has appeared before the Senate Com
mittee on Post Offices and Post Roads in behalf of a
bill introduced by Senator Anthony, in relation. to
the Australian Mail Service. Notwithstanding that
the bill does not apparently favor any particular line
of steamers. it is well understood that it is in direct
opposition to the subsidy asked by Mr.. Webb. The
amount of subsidy asked for carrying mails, is re-
duced from the definite sum of $500, 900 per annum,
as in Webb's bill, to 1926, 900 maximum; instead of
special subsidy to any particular line, the field is
proposed to be opened for competition and bids, the
lowest responsible bidder, under the maximum
named, must be of a specified class, viz: American
built screw steamers. This last point is a vital one
for Mr.. Webb, inasmuch as his steamers are con-
structed with side-wheels. IT. says the fila, g the
bid by Burnside and Scott means business other than
spite, or n serious intent to run n line in case the
Webb steamers should cease running at the close of
the session, then the proposition could be entertained.
The Webb line has been run at a heavy loss, and the
question of a heavy subsidy to that line should be
received with favor. 1t is necessary that some action
should be taken this session to secure the continu-
ance Of the Australian service, with the ships at
present employed, and not j~eopardze our steam
trade with the colonies, and throw it into the hands
of an English Company"