The Republican journal., 1881-07-21
Our Mercantile Marine.

Uullu steamships mere IMAM IN Great Brit
ain. The difference is fatal to competi-
ton in the carrying trade on even terms
1t is important, however, that we should
have mercantile marine commensurate
with our other interests, not merely that
we may enjoy a fair share of the earnings
OF the carrying trade, but that we may
have our own lines of communications to
the worlds markets for our productions
Without these we are hampered- the
mercy of our rivals. How, then, shall
we get and keep a mercantile marine
while these great odds are against us? If
our high protective tariff were merely an
eXpedlent for revenue, TO be wiped out
when no longer needed we could enter
the contest on equal terms, and hold our
own. But, while the tariff makes every
thing which is the product of labor cost
more than elsewhere, we cannot compete
on equal terms on the ''highway of ma
tons" Mr.. John Roach, in the North
American Review for August, presents a
plan not 4 new one-we have had the
essential features before-but the only
one that we know of to restore our mer-
camille marine. 1t is of the nature Of a
subsidy, and subsidy" is a word of very
bad odor. But, where everything else
is 'protected,' steamships cannot ven
ture without protection. Our useless
navy costs Sl5,000,0OO or SO, 1000, 600 a
year. Take $1,000, 900 of that and ex-
pend it in postal contracts and new
constructions. Make a general law pro-
viding a contract for carrying the mails
with every American steamship line run
ming from any foreign port. Make this
law to cover term of years ten at least
and, if anything will do it, that will in
duce capital-now seeking remunerative
employment in vain to flow into this
business. We have American steamship
lines gradually finding their places on every
sea; we should have our own commlnica-
tions with South America, Europe, Asia.
Africa and Australia; and our agrcul-
tural and manufacturing interests would
reap full share of the benefits. If this
he "subsidy," it is only to make even what
''protectlon' has made uneven only to
make profitable, and therefore possible,
an interest upon which all other interests
depend to some extent. Boston Herald.
Six girls and one boy graduated from
the Calais high school, and this, the Ma
chlas Mon observes is about the proper
ton in a majority Of the high schools in
the eastern part of the State, and it
thereupon proceeds to read the boys 4
sermon, from which we quote as follows -
The boys who habtua drones. who take to
lettering, ldling tnd nothing to do, but somehow
fall into habits OF smoking drinking, Hcentlous-
ness. will one day see women in the pulpts, in
the doctors gig, in the counting room, in the
school room. book keepers. clerks statesmen" in
the telegraph office printers, publishers editors
everywhere where intelligence. industry respon-
sibility are demanded and where highest salaries
are paid. The Idle boys by and by will be men in
growth and age they will be wondering why is it
that wCmen are doing so large part OF the work
and | can't get anything to do !"
Boys If You continue much longer to lead soth
ful lives, you will live to women, not men. gov
erning and controlling, and why not
\ correspondent OF the Lewiston Jour
nal asked what State, after having passed
Il law abolishing capital punishment re
pealed the same, and when; and whether
the rate of murders has increased in
States where capital punishment has been
abandoned, and that paper replies as fol
lows
Iowa in 1877 or about that time. passed law
abolshng capital punishment, but in IS. re enact
ed law for the intcton of capital punishment. the
argument showing from the record that during its
abolition crimes and violence had greatly increas
ed, and the increase attributed to the abolition
OF that kind of punishment There is a difference
of opinion as to whether crimes have increased
more in states where capital punishment has been
abolished and IN consequence of its Adjustment
than it has III states where it is still in force
There are many causes for the increase of crime
which must be taken into consideration in decd
ing any such question
The Eastport Sentinel laments the in
crease of rum selling and intemperance in
that town, and thinks there is too much
reliance upon law to promote temperance.
What is needed, it thinks, is a public
sentiment which would not only acquiesce
in the enforcement Of the prohibitory law,
but demand such enforcement. 1t says
We have not such il. public sentiment now.
Pubic sentiment is a result of education, and ed
ucation requires effort. One or two or half dozen
in q ~ Itv i kn
create and keep alive healthy public sentiment
III behalf OF temperance There must be organized
effort, and all who believe liquor drinking to be
an EVIL sh Guild unite to stay its progress
The tone of the Southern press since
the shooting Of the President has been
the subject of much favorable comment.
The Mobile Register says editorially in
recent issue:
re hope and expect great deal from President
Garfield, If God spares HIM to the country We
are not actuaed by any idea of remuneration to
the South for its kind regards and heartfelt ex
pressionS Of coincidence, but we think that James
A. Garfield will respond to the new situation, and
that any aspirations that he may have to bring en-
daring prosperity upon our country, will be in
dulsed in by him without any ralnmel restric
ton.
Bookwalter is the name of the man the
Democrats have nominated for defeat in
the Ohio Gubernatorial contest. He is
rich, but Democrats say his pocket book
is not 50 we'll lined as it was before the
convention was held
A Washington despatch says of ex-
Senator Conkling, whose recent visit to
that city has been the subject of specula-
ton, "In his talk he referred to politics