The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1881-03-04

this kNAHtIf- ~ ~ tE|04tI4 tu1t tu<
grain !lcet dispatched from The port 81
New York in 1879 numbered 1857 vos.
sells. carrying l02. 3l2.568 bushels Of
grain. All Of this tonnage included but
ono American steamer and only "A
American sailing vessels. II y. Noyes.
our Minister 70 France. devoted six
mouths 10 the investigation 81 our COM
mercial carrying trade in the Nediter-
rancan by order Of the State Depart
ment He reported that he experienced
q sense Of humiliation At the absence Of
the American ilag from the waters on
which he looked The Consul 1t
Smyrna reports that while formerly a
many As seventy-fve or eighty vessels
had been seen IN that port at one time.
there were last year but three. All told.
We are now paying foreign nations an
nually over 500, 000. 600 Tor the trans
portation Of our freight. and go. Co.,
00O for the carrying Of our passengers
and mails We pay, that Is 70 foreign
ers, largely to England. 9l20.00O. 600
for carrying our products across the
seas and bringing the things we wish TO
buy TO our shores. The American flag
has disappeared from the high seas, and
our merchant marine Is no more.
Senator Beck. who Is more and more
distinguishing himself for critical and
well-informed attention 70 the public
interests. and who Is capable Of broad
and National views As well = u attcn-
tion to little things. recently made q
notable speech in the Senate upon free
ships. He was antagonized BY Senator
Blaine. who will be conspicuous figure
in the next Administration. The rem
edy which Senator Blaine would apply
70 the decadencc Of the merchant ma
rine Of the United States il subsidies.
The remedy which Senator Beck would
apply to the decline Of the commercial
power Of this country upon the HIGH
seas Is free ships. Senator Blaine saws
that within thirty miles Of his residence
in Town which Is the largest wooden
ship-building place on the globe. He
Is in favor Of q subsidy Of about "a. 000,-
600 year in the ship-building interest.
He. representing the Republican party.
argues that since Congress has passed
nincty-two acts within twenty years in
aid Of internal transportation by rail.
and has given 200, 600, 900 acres Of the
public lands. worth to-day 81. 900. 000,-
600, and has given also. in addition.
so, 900. 600 in cash to railroad corpora
lions. Congress ought. for the sake Of
consistency, to substitute the men and
corporations that carry passengers and
freight over the waters. This Is fair
statement Of the argument, IS Senator
Blaine presents it. Il is consistent
with the substituting policy. The argu-
ment wildly reveals the pernicious ten
dency Of the subsidy policy. II A should
pc subsidized. why should not B also be
The bill which Senator Beck asks
Congress 70 pass provides that the sec
tions Of the Revised Statutes which pro
hibit citizens 81 the United States from
ships built in other conn-
tries u be used in the foreign carrying
trade Of the United States, and which
impose taxes, burdens, or restrictions,
on such ships when owned BY American
which are not imposed on
ships built in the United States, shall
be repealed. and that II shall be lawful
tor citizens Of the United States to buy
ships built in whole or in part in foreign
countries. to have them registered Is
ships Of the United States, and when
% registered such ships 50 bought are
% be entitled 70 all the rights and sub
Iectei only 10 the same regulations as
arc now provided by law for the row
and management Of ships built
wholly in the United States and owned
and controlled by citizens Of this coun-
try. Senator Beck does not UNDER