The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-01-07

the senate, Just before the adjournment,
granting bountics TO ship builders, which
Is one Of the most extraordinary measures
on record. The bill has boen printed and
n copy Is before us. In order to get p bill
printed IL Is not necessary that anybody
should second the proposition. II IL were,
we must suppose Senator BoUTwELL's
bill could never have arrived at the stage
OF printing. For we cannot believe there
Is man in either House, beside Mr. BoUT-
WELL, who could be induced TO support
such measure.
In brief, the bill proposes there shall
be built, under JOINT commission
OF the naval bureau of construction
ana repairs, ono hundred iron steam
ships per annum for Ave years, for
commercial purposes by anybody who
chooses to construct them, such per-
son or persons receiving from the
Treasury OF the United States 90 a ton
bounty; the remainder OF the cost TO be
paid by the constructor, who is to be the
owner. Also a bounty OF SC "a ton is to be
paid upon M many vessels OF 400 tons as
anybody and everybody may wish to build.
Also, a bounty of 81 ton on every YES
sci of 200 tons that shall be built; aud,
finally. the same sum per ton to every YES
sci engaged in the fishing business.
This IL grand scheme of subsidies to the
shipping interest, to be managed by Wash
ington officials. IL is thus reiolcnt OF virtue
In its very beginning. It's to be put under
the auspices OF the most corrupt, most cx-
travagant, and most misman iged OF all the
executive departments, namely, sEcoR
RnnEsnNfEs IN fn ~
as we can see, possess single virtue as
public administrator. and whose career Is
IA scandal and reproach TO the nation.
But this is merely incidental objection,
which time may be expected to mend.
The real objection rests on more general
grounds. The idea Of taking any industry
directly under the wing of the Govern
ment and providing for its management
by officials detailed for the purpose. Is
total misconception Of the functions OF our
political system. II prcsupposes the Inn
beclity OF the citizens who make the GOV
eminent and are the Government. Such
measures logically originate only In des-
potc countries. where the people are
regarded as children and dependants who
do not know enough to take care of them
selves.
Our general laws imposing duties on inn
ports and thus affordIng protection to in
FAINT industries, while yielding necessary
revenues, go as far IN the direction OF
paternal government as any reasonable
man ought TO propose. To establish ma
tional hot-beds to raise pumpkins aud
watermelons, under Official supervision
and direction, Is just rs sensible as TO pay
subsidies ont OF the public chest to ship
builders. Shipbuilding is a trade we fully
learned long ago and we have boastel OF
our success in all maritime arts aud ways.
IL we cannot hold our own in ii now, after
all our experience and all our triumphs,
We had better acknowledge our incOmpe-
tency. aud go to something else. We do
not believe In applying even the doctrine
OF general protection TO industries that
cannot sustain themselves after being once
fairly established. We do not believe in
contributing Government aid TO raise tea
or pineappes III high northern ATTITUDES.
The genuine doctrine of protection, right
ly understood, Is nothing but the doctrine
OF the education OF labor; and when that
education is completed, IL must be left to
take its chances in general competition
with all the world. Such is the proper
Limitation upon all just national action OH
this subject.
In no enlightened systom OF government
is there anywhere place for the corrupt
and worthless system OF subsidies. We
| have been bought and seduced into trying
them in this country several times, but
never without their leaving n trail Of fail
ure, rOtteuncss, and disgrace. This has
been so from the time Of the old Collins
line Of steamers down to the last miserable
ignominy and abortion of the Pacific Mail
subsidy, distributed, two or three years
ago, among the CONGRESSIONAL newspaper,
and lobby thieves One would think, con-
siderng our experience in this line aud
the shameful developments that have at
tended every step OF our progress in 1t, that
no man of any standing would nave the
hardhood 10 propose renewal of the
wretohed policy.
There is way, we believe, TO extricate
our shipping interests from their present
depression, by honest legislation. Foreign
steamers are stealing away a carrying
trade that rightfully belongs to us. Tn oy
arc doing IL under system OF special
gratuities from their several Governments.
1t is not for US to initiate the pernicious
practice. We can, under existing laws and
treaties reach the Same result by imposing
discriminating duties, TO the extent of
these national douoeurs, without violating
the treaties; and we can thus, by per-
fectly fair means, put ourselves on a pre-
ciso equality with them in the business of
foreign trade and transportation. This is
all the shipping interest should ask or ex-
poet. In our opinion it is ample for the
purpose Since Mr.. boutwell, has entered
upon this line Of legislation, we do not
doubt with good intentions though with
wretched judgment, we suggest to him to
drop his miserable fallacy OF n bill for II
universal bounty system, and procure the
passage of such discriminating duties and
charges on foreign ships, as shall put
our own unsubsidized vessels upon that
footing OF actual equality which our trea-
tics provide for This would be measure
OF real utility.
1t would be really refreshing to see Con-
| EleSs approach this subject in the spirit Of