New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-05-11
FORGETTING HIS DOCTRINES.

Mr.. Bayard appears to be Inconsistent. lie
is the principal champion of free trade in the
Senate, and unlike the latest Democratic cam
didate for the Presidency, he has some ideas
on that subject 1t is the fundamental princi-
nile of free trade theories that Government has
no business to be providing employment or
better wages for its citizens but ought to let
each man choose for himself, without encourage
ment or favor, the occupation that pleases him
best. Mr.. BayaId made speech Tuesday
night. Being at the banquet of the Chamber OF
Commerce, he dwelt with great earnestness
upon the fact that the people OF this country
have left ocean transportation almost wholly
to people of other countries. This he consld-
cred terrible calamity, which it was the duty
of the Government to remedy. A great many
other people have expressed the feeling which
Mr.. Bayard uttered, and therefore have urged,
and still urge, in spite of his opposition, that
the building and sailing OF American SHIPS
should be encouraged by bOunties or mail
contracts. But they are not free traders. Mr..
Bayard is and why should he want to have
Americans induced to engage in any business
which they do not find profitable
A consistent tree trader would say 1t
snakes no difference to our industries whether
awe do our own carrying or not. If it pays we
" shall do it; if we can find better employment
" for our industry and capital, happy are we il
"otheI people are willing to do the work for
Gus" As a matter of fact it is true that our
Industries and our foreign commerce have
both prospered most and increased with
greatest rapidity during the period OF greatest
decline in shipping and shlpbuilding. 10 all
appearance, American capital and industry
found better employment in almost every
direction Great Britain did not find better
employment for its capital and industry and
therefore was glad to earn poor plttarce by
doing our carrying for us. AT this hour,
British ships are in port trying to get cargoes
of grain for Liverpool at half cent per bushel
about what American capital and labor get
for lifting the same grain from canalboat
into the British vessel. Other British ships are
ploughing the ocean, half way to Liverpool al
ready, that actually paid for the privilege of
taking the grain 5000 miles, free of charge,
larger sum than American labor was pald Tor
the transfer from lake vessels to canalbOats.
The American farmer gets from 30 to 70 cents
per bushel for raising telegram, work which
requires little capital, as Uncle Sam is rich
enough to give us all farm" But 1t hurts
Mr. Bayard that American labor, instead OF
being thus profitably employed, is not engaged
in transporting the same wheat across stormy
ocean for "nOthing bushel and find yourself"
True, ocean rates are now extraordinarily
low. But not the less is the principle forcibly
illustrated, that American labor ought to be
free on free trade theories, to prefer the
occupation that pays best. For many years,
taking good times with bad, the business of
ocean navigation has been less profitable than
Others in which American labor and capital
have engaged. Therefore, if there are sonnd
public reasons for encouraging Americans to
build and to sail ships, the public should be
willing to make it profitable for them if not,
the American labor and capital will go into
something better. But Mr.. Bayard has a
horror of subsidies He holds that the Govern
ment ought not to contribute a penny to make
shipbuilding OF the sailing of ships more profit
able. Ia that case, what SENSE Is there in COM
planning because American citizens do not en-
gage in the least profitable business now known
on the face of the earth
The TRIBUNE approaches these questions
from a different point of view. 1t holds that it
is the duty of the Government to encourage
and promote American industry. lnasmuch as
the building and sailing of ships are branches of
industry which cannot be shielded or protected.