National Republican., 1883-03-03
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
AMERICAN SHIPPING.

10 The Editor.
IL is undeniable that the passage Of the
shipping bill in the house Of representatives
was hailed with delight by the American peo-
pie as an advance movement toward encour-
aging our ship building interests and bring
ing back in some measure our ocean carrying
trade. Although its provisions did not fully
come up TO the standard of the most ardent
supporters Of these interests, yet IL was looked
upon as q step in the right direction, one
whose expected favorable results would here
after lead to other measures of a more posi-
tive and substantial character. With the con-
test going on between the senate and house
of representatives upon the tariff ques-
tion and that relating TO reduction Of internal
revenue taxation, and the fear pressing upon
them that the time occupied in discussing
these matters, and in consideration of the
necessary appropriation bills, much anxiety
has been felt by tho friends of American
ship building and of the American merchant
marine lest this bill would fail in being
passed at tho present session. Tho action
had, however, by the senate committee on
commerce, in making favorable report upon
the same, and in proposing amendments OF u
character in full keeping with its tenor and
purpose, and tending still further to promote
its objects, has had an encouraging effect upon
the people-and upon all sides It Is conf
IDENTIFY hoped that the bill, with the amend
ments of this committee. will finally become
o law.
One Of these amendments consists in author
izing the postmaster general to contract for
the carriage of the mails in ocean steamships
of American register owned and run by
Americans, providing that he shall pay not
exceeding 81 per mile for such service, and
provided the gross amount to be paid for such
service shall not exceed 81 5000 per annum.
ts I. hen ttua-
ment, and the contract awarded to the lowest
bidder regardless of the size of the vessel. To
the shame and discredit of our government be
it said that, in addition TO the burdens imposed
by our laws upon American vessels engaged In
the foreign carrying trade, rcdcring 1t impos-
sible to compete with those of our commercial
rival, England, IL actually made adiscrimina-
tion in the matter OF carrying the mails as
against our vessels in the foreign trade and
those engaged in the coastng tTade-the for
mer being allowed q compensation of from
two TO two and u half cents per mile, while
, the latter arc paid flfty-sevcn and q half cents
per mile for mail service. Such discrimina-
tion is incxcusable, and can by no means be
justified. What different policy has been
pursued by England2 Her merchant marine
and her commerce have received the fullest
encouragement and protection. Seventy-ivC
per cent. of her naval ships and engines
are constructed in the private yards. In
stead of taxing u percentage on the value sOi
her vessels, US does our government, she merely
taxes tho income; then again, she affords
liberal mail pay to her steamship lines
Since 1910 she has paid more than $250,000,
| 900 for mail service on the ocean to cncOur
age English capital and aid them to drive tn,
| ships of other nations out of the trade. Las
year she paid nearly $3000,000 to her steam
ships for mail service, which was 81 ,6ll ,30t
more than she received from mail matter
| transported by them. The amount paid by
her in 1880 for the same mail service to for
eign countries was s3,70S,61S. Such has beei
her policy, while that of our government ha
been of q character to increase the former
advantage and strengthen her position, an'
at the same time to weaken and destroy on
foreign carrying trade and to place our com
mercc at her mercy.
This amendment providing an approach :,
adequate compensation for carrying the mail
cannot but prove of benefit and advantage
but when to it is added those to be derive,
from the other amendment reported by th
senate committee providing for u drawbacl
equal to the amount of the duty to be allowc
on all foreign materials imported and used il
the construction or repair of American yes
sells, an undoubted change for the better vii
.ke the result. The wisdom of the shippin
|>bill with these amendments engrafted Thereof
cannot we'll be doubted. No time should b
lost by congressman in their discussion. Tha
they will work benefit is apparent; Will
that they will prove injurious Is matter {
impossibility. Humiliated long enough q
the PROSTATE condition of their foreign carry
ing trade the American people want legisll
tion of this character. Wisdom dictates tina
the bill be passed and become law.
w. NJ.