The sun., 1882-08-27

cent. OF the value OF the exports and i'm.
ports OF the United States. Thenceforward
the proportion steadily declined till IL had
droppedto to 652 in 1861 the year OF tho outbreak
of the war. The change in the same direction
which has taken place since 1861 CONSTITUTES,
OF course. the most impressive illustration Of
decadence and wreck. or the merchandise OK.
ported and imported during the fiscal year 1881
American vessels carried only 1872 per cent
and foreign vessels 83.8 per cent. The shrink.
age is tho moro remarkable because the
business OF our shipping ought to have
largely increased during tho period in view.
seeing that the opportunities for business had
been greatly widened. The total value Of our
exports and imports had. in fact, increased
from $7G2 100000 In 1860 to l,676. 900 900 in
1881. BY this enormous increase in the foreign
commerce OF the United States every mari.
time nation of any note has profted with the
exception of our own. To cite an impressive
instance. we mention that during the year 1881
there was shipped from New York to Europe
grain to the extent of r. 276. 900 bushels but not
a single bushel OF this enormous bulk found
transportation In an American vessel.
Mr.. Wells concurs with other careful students
OF the subject in considering the substitution
OF steam for wind rs an agent for ship propul-
sion the primary cause Of the decay Of our
merchant navy This was the primary cause,
but 1t remained imperative so long as wood
was mainly used in the construction OF steam.
ships. But experience taught builders thai
iron vessels are better adapted to withstand
the strain OF heavy steam machinery. and alse
that, from lack Of the necessary rigidity ths
application Of the most economical method
OF steam ropulsion-namely, the screw
l.. 1t
Of large capacity. This lesson seems to have
been learned betimes by American shipbuild-
ers and shipowners. but they were unable to
turn 1t to account because the means and ap-
plinnces for the construction OF iron vessels did
not exist in tho United States. As early as
1857 Capt. John Goldman predicted In the New
York journal Of Commerce that iron screw
steamers would supcrsede all other vessels for
the foreign carrying trade. and that England.
being able to construct such steamers moro
cheaply than any other country would inev-
itably acquire monopoly Of ocean steam navi-
cation unless such change was made In our
laws as would enable American merchants to
buy English steamers.
Mr.. Wells demands repeal OF our navigation
laws as the first stop toward revivng American
shipping but he is far from thinking that such
a measure would sufflce to recreate our com.
be surmounted. such as State taxation. tonnage
taxes. consular fees. and exorbitant pilot
charges. Whether Congress. under the power
conferred upon 1t by the Constitution to regu-
late commerce can exempt vessels engaged in
foreign or Interstate carrying trade from
State or municipal taxation seems 10
be an open question-the decisions Of the
United States Supreme Court looking both
ways. That the desired end could be
reached by the education Of public opinion has
been made plain by the action Of the States Of
New York and Massachusetts. which, in 1884,
exempted ships owned by their citizens. and
engaged in foreign trado. from all direct State
taxation. The tonnage tax, at all events
might be repealed and Mr.. Wells would abol-
ish compulsory pilotage and so reduce the
legal fees for pilotage that they should not be in
excess Of those charged in British and other
European ports. He would also cut down all
expenses connected with the hiring or dis
charge of seam l. consular charges. and
the like to the level OF those imposed by other
nations. The cXpedient Of subsidies and
bounties gets no countenance from Mr.. Wells.
but he would have Congress treat steamships
precisely as railroads are treated a fair compen-
sation being given them for carrying the mails
We're all these things done. the author has no
doubt that our merchant marine would begin
to revive but 1t will never in his opinion. Mt
tain the measure of prosperity which 1t en-
joyed in 1855 until the tariff has been reformed.
We suspect. however. that the friends OF
American shipbuiding would consider them
selves fortunate II they could accomplish the
first step Of the many enumerated by Mr.
Wells. to wit. n repeal Of our navigation laws.