The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-16

MEMORIAL OF JOHN ROACH PROTESTING AGAINST
THE REPEAL OF THE CHINA AND JAPAN SUB
sIDY ooNTRACT--REAsoNs WHY TT WOULD BE
DISASTROUS TO AMERICAN NATIONAL INTER-
EsTs--A FATAL CHECK UPON THE REVIVAL OF
WASHINGTON, Feb. Is, 1875
The following is the memorial sent TO Congress
by J0nn Roach, on behalf OF the shipbuilding In
terest protesting against the cancellation Of the
subsidy voted to the Pacific Mail Steamship Com.
pany by Congress in 1879
10 THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES
The undersigned, John Reach, iron shIpoullder,
ploycd in shipbdilding respectfully ana earnestly
OF 1872 win the Pacific Mail steamship Company
FOR carrying the mails between California and
/. No bribery OF Congressman has appeared IN
the pending investigation. After searching In
quiry IL appears almost certain that not one dollar
ever went into the hands OF Q member or Con-
grees.
1t does appear that after the act of 1872 was
pany, engaged more IN speculations IN the stock
than In the conduct OF the affairs OF the
with watch IN hand, giving tive minutes Tor de.
cstOn unucr threat OF preventing any benefit to
the company from The act just passed. wronglully
sum OF money, TO be divided among himself and q
handful OF advenlurers on the false. pretence that
IL mad been necessary TO promise the same to
secure the passage OF the bill
1t does not appear that rns wasting or arranging
passed Influenced Il single vote. On the contrary,
1t seems clear that the Dill passed on Its merits
fase assertion OF bribery in the interest Vt the
now enraged ana hostile men who wasted the
money OF the company would be CONCESSION OF
bribery which IA not proved and did not exist, and
an act OF folly which the undersigned does not
believe Congress VIM commit.
2. Whatever may be Thought OF The action or tho
President ana agent IN taking this money from tho
company, neither tns company AND ITS present
represent nor the Duilders OF their SHIPS, snould
be held responsible ior or % injured by 1t.
directors Tor any liexi.mats use or large sxpena.
itnre OF money. The ons resolution OF the direct.
os Wa NV nran No s OF counsel ana
directors have testified that 1t did hot contem.
plate az expense larger than ton or dlteen thou.
until long afterwards. In iacl, the President, ON
his own account ana IN aid Of his STOCK specua.
tons. rst undertook through the agent to procure
tho passage Oh the ac.. Afterward, on being
forced by the latter TO take the money demand
IRON the treasury OF tho company, he directed two
subordinate officers, uuder AIS complete direction
and conllol. 10 draw cheeks Tor the same. BY
ialse entries on the oooss facts were Kept from
the knowledge oil directors and stoc holders, ana
were never Tally known Until the Congressional
investigation. Now, wnen the resident having
lett the company, eyades respon spii:y Tor his acts
by remaining IN Europe, and the other actor III tho
proceedings only returns TO attempt to destroy
punish the innocent stockholders, and damage
the Immense national interests involved, would De
3. WHAT has been the effect OF controlling in
American hands, through the Pacific NAH steam.
ship Company, the commerce OF the Pacific
Ocean
BY the war OF the rebellion the American nag
Was driven from the Atlantic Ocean, and 2 64a 0IS
tons OF American shipping reduced to s6s 1873 tous.
TO retain tue control OF tna Pacific Ocean
In American hands, Presidents Lincoln,
Johnson ana Grant. ali the Pos tinas ers General.
ana several Secretaries OF the Treasury and
Navy. have urged the fostering or tho ruciic Mail
steamship Company's business, and Congress mas
passed the two acts OF 1855 and 1871. Tnelr recon
mepdations and the debates In Congress would
f volumes. AS the result oil tnl5 NATIONAL desire
anu assistance tue company placed anUat Gsct OF
about tnrty steamships, built IN America ar u cost
OF apuut Sl5,000CC0. eight Oi the0 the largest and
finest wooden sidewhoel ste2usaps In tue world
At that time, subject To tho caii OF The United
states in cuse OF war. BY them the united states
has controlled Inc Paclnc Oceaa and The carving
trade with CHINA anu Japan and Kept 1t from ioi.
elgn nands At loss to tue company OF sc, 900.
40 Keep PROGRESS WIN ineuern sipbuildlne Tie