New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-02-01

In the second classification nearly all tne
American vessels are small schooners, whlch
might properly be ranked as coasters. VI the
forty six American steamers included III thc
third table, only fourteen are in the trans
oceanic trade; the others run to the west
Indies or Mexico. Thus 1t appears that BEL
GUM, country not much larger than one OF
orr New-YOrk counties, has about as many
ocean steamships in our trade as we have our
selves, while Germany and Spain have more
Some of the figures in the list of transoceanIc
smiling vessels are also very striking. We hnd
that the little, sterile rock bound Kingdom OF
Norway, with population less than that OF the
State OF Massachusetts, employs 49, vessels Ill
our trade; that Italy, which not many years ago
appeared to be sleeping the sleep OF commcrclal
as well az political death, employs 1913; ana
Austria, which has but single port and that
far up ut the head of the Adratic, has Ito.
Evidently our trade is profitable, or else the
whole world would not be rushing here to
secure a share in 1t. Collector Merritt, in re-
cent report. shows that the value OF the ex-
ports OF tho port OF Newly DIRK for the year
ending June 80, 1880, was 1888, 81, OF
which sail vessels took out $73,029,677, and
steamers $21O,139,174. So profitable is the
freightage OF this immense amount OF COM
mOdItics that even China Is seeking to engage
in the business, and Is going to Iun n line OF
steamers to San Francisco. DIR. Walker, the
statistcian Of the New-YOrk Produce Ex-
change, estimates the total amount OF freight
money paid in 1879 on American commodities
exported at $S8,3Oi.000 On return cargoes
tie ships engaged in this trade are estimated to
have earned Sij,OOO,OO Here is a total OF
over S133 600, 900 earned in one year in the
American ocean carrying trade. II American
ships now enjoyed the place in the trade they
used to have, Mr. Hall says they would have
received about $1l0000,OOO of this total OF
freight money. As it is they got only
1913 100000. The foreigners took all the rest.
Mr. Hall does not attempt to suggest
remedy tor this discOuraging state OF things
lie only points out the magnitude Of the evil
and wisely leaves the cure to DO sought by
those whose business it is to provide 1.-THE
Congress of the United States. lie recognizes
the difficulties which beSet the problem OF re-
gaining our old position upon the seas, dlIllcul-
ties arising from the low wages and low rates
of interest prevailing IN other countries, the
large amount OF surplus capital POSSESSED by
them, and the absorption of our own capital In
railroads in the newly occupied regions OF our
territory Still, he thinks a remedy can be
tonnd if public sentiment be aroused in this
country, and there comes up the same demand
from orr people which at different times has
compelled England, France, China and Japan
to act lie might have added that one step TO-
ward the restoration Of our commerce has,
fortunately, been taken already. 'rhe Demo
cratic party, which has shown an utter inca
pacity for dealing with this or any other i'm
portant subject OF National concern. has been
put out of power in Congress, and the Republic
cln party placed in control of the legislation OF
the country.