New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-02-25
TIE MERCHANT MARINE.

suGGFsTIoNs or A PTAS FOR RrsToRfSG THIS
COUNTRY no Trs PRorLr PLACE oN rIE OCEAN.
To the Edftor Of me tribune.
SIR Aside from several other topics Of
great public Interest. thorc threo questions. The
special eracics ~ the war 20 which believe. the now
Administration intends 20 give tcsoluie urc1iio1 These
are: Flrsi-Ihc silver quCsun IN Its bearing %" ""r
general Gnauccs. fast becoming imrin'n': rr'ond
the vitality important issue 81 co."fch uE'l-'' SUI
denly invested with fresh interest through III" dcyc
opents ~ the ccu-us-howng the aacy Of the persist
ent prediction former periods hat The negro could
not hold his own In the progress oi population
II made free; and third, 10 necessity oil set
ting on foot some active policy Tor 'He
rrytynl Of our merchant marine, great and most M
p6rtaut interest now temporarily overthrow b' tue
suo-idy systcm Of foreign Governments
On this latter subj OF wish TO say few words II
IN. been discussed q late than Tie others. they
eirc Qcueral and this one having special ana private
interests 70 stimulate consideration ahd debate.
notable discussion " It sprung up IN the hcnat' not long
ago a will be remembered, IN which the coming aecre
tary Of state part In that discussion the pacc
ous,iop was principally IN regard TO tho subsidy sys-
tenn and whether we had better resort g 1t a. M
tionnl policy SIR Blaine leaned Ia favor Of that policy
bur do not understand that lac Is especially wcdd I'D To
that or any other Is only intent sOmo course OF
action that snail ft struggling marine to IL feet
When lie observes the Illuminating contrast between
the condition OF this vital National interest quarter Of
equality with Great Britain on the seas. with s deriep
attitude now IT would be strange II any man u either
sense patriotism could fail 10 the need OF at Oucc
apply ing practical remedy.
We engaged IN our last war with England the de-
mand for trade ton the seas, and sailors rights
We asked them for no advantage over any conner While
wooden ships lasted all rivals successfully on
the basis absolute equality tho ocean, 1t not
TIL steam suppanted canvas and iron ships Grovo out
the wooden, and subsidies upheld tine nrw orler OF
things and the savehOdcrs' rebellion In aid Of ALL
that Americans found themselves unable 10 hold their
footing on the ocean This revolution grew primarily out
OF the extraordinary manufacturing development Of Eng
land. Beng advance Of us IN this respect she took
disadvantage. From this we are not yet recov'
cred. But shall unless the American has
lost the qualities which gave him success In his first
essay Of commercial and maritime competition, and his
naval xplots to uphold them.
II is on the basis OF this belief that we ought TO pro-
coed and ought TO adapt our legislation. The idea Of
meeting subsidy with subsidy Ia the line OF this pro
ceedng. and Is very naturally suggested proper
remedy But is 1t the best methOdl Ia 1t the best
of meeting the case In the first place. the objection 10
subsidies Is very general They In the nature OF
monopoly, and wording Of statute obyiato
their essential character Again. n we meet subsidy
with subsidy, competition is at opened to who
will bid highest. and thus lay the foundation
for an absurd rivalry which Governments become
the bearers OF the chief burden OF transportation Both
abstract theory and In actual practice nothing eau
be ridiculous than to pay special agents TO carry
passengers ana commodities back aud forward the
with the idea that IL promotes National prosperity
But II not subsidies, then what The first duty that
seems 20 be before IL shipa TO that
equality OF which they have been deprived by The sub
sidy system We have stipulated treaties that
foreign ships may ports equality with
But have never stipulated that they should
come with subsidy their back which totally destroys
this equality Yet this IA the exact state OF things which
has grown up while the Nation has slept Other Govern
under preeXt another out OF their pub
lie treasures specific TO and from the ports OF
the United States. OF vessels com-
pete equal terms with ships thus paid out OF the pub
lie treasury OF other States. How restore this
inequality and place ships In our ports on
an equality with foreign ships thereni hold that It
can be best done by eOunoractng legislation, aud urge
that as We don't like the subsidy plan, we favor dis
terminating duties charges that shall recty the dis
parity advantage and restore the actual equality for
which our treaties provide. Having thus secured an
equality for ships ports in the first place we
shall then be in position to consider other points OF
competition in which We labor under disadvantage With
ships OF foreign countries Among the most Important
Of these IL the matter OF taxation. g. p
Washington, u. o., Feb. 20, 1884.