The daily gazette., 1881-11-21
Ss@ h'N ANSos
Ocean TRANSFORMATION.

III comprehensive revision of our
trade conditions 10 attempted, at the
next session Of Congress-, it will in
clude the consideration of a half dozen
clemens which are not popularity uu-
derstood. These are the tariff, IN
terror Transport .tion by water and rail,
the relation of agriculture to manu.
factures, the problems Of finance, the
balance of trade, and ocean transpor-
talion. Some of these subjects are
not popularity understood because of
their complex and omprehensiye
character. They range over such
vast spaces, and involve so many de-
tails that the average reader becomes
confused in the attempt to grasp thems
This is as true Of the problem Of ocean
transportation as any. Congress has
developed no policy on this subject,
because of its helpless confusion in
the presence of so many conflicting
arguments. The decline of our com
mercial marine, how it may be re-
stored, what its absence involves, and
other questions, call out diametrlcally
opposite ansSers. And yet it is al
most vital to the permanent prosperity
of the country that 1t be restored. We
pay England $75, 100000 a year for
freights, or, perhaps, 800, 600, 600 a
year in all. We lose trade, particu,
larly with South America, by depend,
Ing on foreign vessels for f.ieghts.-
They discriminate against American
trade. We have paid England enough
in the past sixteen years for ocean
transportation To liquidate our entire
interest-beaflng national debt. Surely
such policy is erroneous.
j. 1 lie decline Of our commercial
marine may be attributed to two
causes, s,-the change from wood 10 iron.
ana sails To steamer and the rekel
cruisers sent out from English Lorts
during the rebellion. In the daya of
Wo0fen thips, propelled by sails.
American ciippe.s ruled the ocean /;
and American vessels carried three
touTths of all our trade. In 1856 Eng.
land began to build steam and iron
vessels. This country would naturally
nave followed, retaining her status on
the ocean, but The rebellion and rebel
cruisers drove our vessels 10 the pro.
tee lou OF the English flag. These in
olle', were the causes of the decline in
our shipping. For the rayages Of
rebel cruisers England paid this
country Sl5,0O0,000. She has received
from TINS country, III return, through
her commercial marine over 81, OO0.
OOO,oOO. Such is the contrast,
Z. lie value OF commercial marine
eau only be indicated here. II promotes
an important industry, and uses iron and
'teei, thus furnishing increased employ-
meut TO our Manufactures. Sineiv no,
cant. OF the cost OF vessel goes TO labor
The manning of vessels gives elnplov
ment TO sedmen. The freights and pas
sengers carried represent an absoIn,,
gain IN money; that Is, ii American yes
sells Carried our trade, the S75. 900 0Or
we pay England yearly would remain II
this country aud add so much TO our 40
gregate wealth. 1t would enable us :,
contiol our trade. Now, for examnla
English vessels carly our trade viii
Brazil. The discrimination in freipb
alohe presents competition with the Eng
ilsh In South American trade, What :.
Z the result? IL is, that we send $40, 900
Oo9 IN gold yearly TO Brazil TO settl ouI
r Irane balance; aud this goes to Londor
and into English pockets, through hej
iaVofaOie trade with South America
FIhaiiy, well-constructed commercial
marine supplies the basis for navy in
case oi sudden need. Such, brieaI
STA eu, are some of the advantages in
( Volyed. The construction of fuII rom,
merc'al marine for this col ntry win a,
az noch TO stimulate mannfacturino
/ ACTIVITY as all our energy in railroa,
building. o"0
o. HOW can this great interest be re
D sCored2 The answer may be general,
made, by applying the same princlnle,
10 II that we do TO other great Interests
In other words, by adapting TO il on,
7 national poicy-lhat of PROTECTING
American industry. Singularly, In doine
TINS we will only follow the example oi
England and the continental maritjme
t Towers. Our navigation laws mereII
. protect us agai' st rotten ships that ar,
not permitted to go to sea under tbt
Illmsoll law, bearing the English fac
] We're an equally rigid inspection re.
CURED by law, in this country as ir
England, our navigation laws might h,
! repealed, and no harm would folIow
Quality considered, iron or steel steam
ships can be built as cheaply on IN,
Delaware as on the Clyde. As far bacl
as 1911, the London Telegraph admltteC
this fact.
l nI