New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-02-05
CONGRESS AND COMMERCE.
1ErTER FROM THE HON. JOHN JAY.

PECT CONGRESS TO DO.
TO the Edttor Of The Tribune.
SIR: The Shipping bill, as passed by the
House suggests a doubt to the astute members OF
Congress who forget neither the late elections nor the
approaching scrutiny the Presidential contest whether
they quite appreciate the broad National light in which
the subject OF shipping is viewed by the most
intelligent and observsnt citizens. Do they clearly I'M
derstand that large class Of the American people ais
appointed and dlspeased at the seeming ncapacity Oh
the Government at Washington 10 cope with the r'a
policy OF England, desire the adoption OF wisely con-
sidered and arreaching policy forthe
of the American Commercial Marine with lar pr
nor,on NJ the postal service and at least our oden
share of the carrying trade - ,or
Historically there would seem to ne gooa ioa S
the popular dissatisfaction this point IL III u
part of the century, with the disadvantages VI ''
experience and slender resources We couiu ,.
own against the wealth and power ana rye s"SaNn'
~ Great Eritan why should the Kepuono ho"'
In all the pride OF its strength ana ahuchoe "0
pelled to play the ignoble and Illuminating p"V ~
she ia TODAY subjected, and when mas Deo so ioHs Nv
.ented with unressting meekness EnSnsn autnol'es
attest the dignity and influence OF the coinherca posi-
a., from, which we have been displaced. MI Roach In
his interesting paper in The InteFnotoR~ gave quota
lions which confirmed the remarks or Ieaes, that the
commerce of the world seemed passing into American
hands" The London Times could say of the RepuDhc:
"Her starred flag Is conspicuous In every sea- ana
will soon defy our thunder and Lindsay the historian
could write "Our statesmen saw nsnctively that the
Untsd States to become the lead OF powerful ana
highly commercial nation"
Our citizens recalling those things are naturally ask
ing the Republican leaders, Why, since the Civil war
aud the flames lighted by the Alabama, have you not
adopted O plan to make American ships despite the
efforts of British satesmanship the carriers OF Amer
Fan produce. and American mails and the promoters In
foreign lands of American civilization and American
interests Why have you allowed foreign commerce.
thah hold al
ing of new ones for charging agricultural and
manufacturing industries TO langush and fade be10re
the farsghted Openhanded, persistent policy OF Great
Britain which has been followed by France and Ger
many and the lesser Powers until our "starred nag
has almost disappeared from the where twas con-
spicuousi
To that question what can the Republicans say in
reply that will satisfy the reasoD the pride and the
lust aspirations OF the American peoplef Ihey VIII
hardly venture suggest that the sacrifice OF our lot
egn has been attended by pitiful economy
that they have saved money in the Postal Department
nv leting the American mails carried in foreign YES
yes which are largely sustained by their own govern
,nents that they have saved again by snting the pay
of our consular service and taxing our slender spne
in larger SUM- while Great Britain eIpends for her
consular service than six tines the amount Whch
Abe collects from her shipping. Can they safely
ask the people compare the broad
ttatesmanlike policy Of England IN spending mions III
subsdcs and guarantees Of dividends to secure of her
empire the carry trade of the world and TO warn inc
competitors of other nations that the foreign commerce
OF England is cherished and protected by the EngSh
Government Can they ask our people to compare that
imperial policy and its magnificent reward with psry
economy and its melancholy results
In view too of the hund eds of millions involved in the
Arrears of Pensions BILL and the River and Hsreor DILL
with their suspected and proven swndles and the open
,r,,fpl and corrupt extravaganza in many depart
,nents of the Government may be prudent Tor kepuD
licap on great question of National importance 10 use
the argume Mt Of economy with reserve
Nor will any theoretical reasoning based on the
alleged falaces of free ships on the one hand or OF
National subsidies the other, avail to avoid the prac-
4ical question: Why have you permitted-why are you
permtng the Republic to lose her fair share OF the
carving trade and postal service, ana all OF the IND
measurable advantages which they would Drlhg 10
American industries Nor can they say plainly Our
foreign commerce fails because 1t does not pay our
shippers and Congress has nothing to do with
the matter; for the people perfectly
understand the constitutional power OF
Congress on this subject and Wahngton's advice tlat
shoud afford such encouragement 10 our own
navigation will render commerce. ana agrlcul.ne
less dependent on i0egn pow Gone from eTson
and Madison, and the most eminent Ql D9n
naTties Much Of legislation with It's Navigation
pa and retaIating policy has been based upon tue
principle that Congress is bound to sustain our ofGSh
begnp 10 build up steam marine and Wa. h0ei ally as
ssTing the Cunarders Congress was called Oh TO ae'
the Collins line, Mr. Polk SAID 81 those VINO opposIt lnat
they were pandering 10 British power-hat tney were
ting
greatness and grandeur which attaches 10 the American
Government" -. "a, , , y
elut domestic manufactures ana ack OF ioIeiGh mar
fets taught appreciate more clearly IMAM ever the
Increasing value OF commercial marine 10 the great
ndusrries OF the nation, ana the nEucicuey OF our
navy has brought into prominence the Importance Gi
ton to the navy in sudden emergency. , ,,-,,
A comparison, too. % the foreign trade OF kngane
with that Of the United states and the ease with winch
fhe has ops ned for her manufact lures markets Ia Sou
America and in the East, and at our
show the practical wisdom OF the English Govern
ment in making the most liberal expenditure for It's
commercial marine, and the ruinous economy Of our
own in leaving It's foreign shipping TO care Tor itself
against Governmental competition, ara audihg 10 IL
difficulties. vexahons imposilions and distinctions
Every Intelligent citizen can understand Mr. CraU
ford's declaration in Parliament when he said
"Wherever postal communication has been extended
the conveyance Of the mails has proved most ehcet
agency for increasing our tTade IN s PtItS OF lhe
Wood: There he no DOUBT that increased postal
Communication implies increasing relations increased
Commerce Increased investment of English capital
ard from all these sources the wealth ana prosperity O
ENGLAND are greatly increased"
In this view the re-sstablishment of
mercaI marine broad National question, touching
American agriculture manufactures and commerce ana
concerning the wealth and poTer ana PRIDE ana honor
OF the country. Nor can We denied tha our Navy as II
may well be reinforced by meet OF steamers, Dult as
the Government should approve, ana with the right 10
use them as occasion may require And II should sOt
be dcult for .crt statesmen TO devise mode Of
accomplishing Tor the Republic the results so success
fnlly accomplished Great Britain with the best ships
matter wnere OF ny Wnon tney may De puiit ara
with privileges and contracts awarded Dy eOhpeu
toD in way to AVOID all suspicion oil JoDDeIy or s1
travagSnce.
The Republican party entered upen the late cleo
lions heavily handicapped, and It's leaders wisely
discariing dsreputabe surdens " ich should never
have bcen assumed. The passage OF the Civl Service
Reform bill credtable 10 Its supporters OF both
psrties and inrusted by the President to faithful ana
xnert commissioners it will assure 10 them all an non
orabe as promoters OF me bonQI and true
tn,crests Of the country. The country Will equally
annroye the Government Education bHl 10 meet the
alarming revelations MADE Dy tIe IaIe colsuS Vi we
frghtfu1 litcracy among American voters; the JUDI
cous revision Of the tarIn with correction OF lis
numerous and intosrabie auu'es tue heso.la,iHn VI
commercial treaties for reciprocal Doneht ana enlarge
ment of exchange such AS that OF CODdcn WIN france
which Increased enormously the exports OF b0h nauohr
and tina: winch General Grant Is understood 10 ne na
in Mexico The Iepeal OF ihe SILVER OIL on Mnon