The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-01-03
YEARS.
snch faots ave we'll worthy OF che a,.en.

Such facts are well worthy of the asten
ton of American statesmen. The navigation
laws of the United States are a disgrace to
the age, and if they can not be made better
by amendments they should be repealed
aud new set enacted. The United States
by its policy plays directly into the hands oil
the British shipbuilder aud the British
sailor, and the whole bad business centers in
the infamous protective tariff. Mr.. Jones,
speaking Of the present position Of British
shipping says:
Iii difficult to overstate the importance, pres
ent and prospective. of British shipping. The
steam tonnage that viii be built during the cur
rent year Is stated at ITO 900 TONS And after de-
Quoting 300 900 tons for estimated losses and
transfers to foreign flags the grand total of steam
tonnage at the end OF 1882 will aggregate about
ESQ GOD gross tons. or dead weight carrying Ca
pacity of 9.15o 900 tons. II we estimate the price
of this immense fleet OF merchant steamers al
IS per ton, we get total value of Gl37, 252 OOO
To this sum must be added GO. 900 900. the esti-
mated value of sailing ships, and we then obtain
the enormous total of capital invested in the
merchant navy of the United Kingdom OF
El77, 10000.
dustries. and professions is most important and
u3iversal Not to speak of the fuel required for
construction, every steamer which goes to sea
consumes from ten tons of coal per day upwards,
If estimate the number of British steamers
at Z 500, aud the average consumption of coal at
sixteen tons during 800 days year. we have an
annual consumption of fuel by these ocean car
riers, chiefly British COAL amounting to 900 900
tons Shipping creates great demand for iron
and steel in their various forms qualities. as
well as for engines and boilers. chains and
anchors sails and ropes Tor every variety of hard
ware, crockery and glassware. and for upholstery
aud carpets. beds and bedding, electric appli-
ances and telephones Employment IS afforded
directly and Indirectly to an army OF men and
women of every social grade and
intellectual calIber. from the wealthy
ship builder. with his estate in the midlands and
his seat in Parliament. to the hard worked pud-
der at the furnace. Docks have to be con-
structed and maintained to accommodate ship
Ping. Insurance Companies and Clubs give
employment 20 thousands; Government officers,
customs employees. surveyors, savings bank clerks
s;evedores and many more derive their livelihood
from the traffic of shipping. Men and boys EN-
ployed in the British Mercantile Navy during
1889 numbered 49,, $50.
The Local Marine Office Of London pays out
fl0C0O per month in salaries. The wages paid to
British seamen during 1881, amounted to $4,000
oOO and the premiums paid on marine insurance
duilg the same year are stated at 10000 600.
Look whittier we will and the beneficial influence
OF shipping is patent.
Ii is possible that Congress will at no
distant day take up this question of Ameri-
can shipping. and by enacting wiser laws
than now exist, do something toward secur-
ing fair snare Of the carrying trade of the
world for American ships and American
saampn