The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1884-02-21
A STEP, But ONLY A STEP.


are interested In ana waiting anxiously for
the coming OF the revival of American ship
ping Tat the "down east" people a. least
recognize the fact that there ara existing
regulations upon the statute books. COM
prizsd under the general head OF navig CATION
laws that operate as burdens and draw
backs to the merchant marine Of the United
S,ltes. The opposition to reform and pro-
gress In the premises has heretofore been
coming chiefly from the east, notably New
England. and now that one of the senators
from Maine has come to the front In the Ell
fort to put the American flag back uron
the seas with measure of It's former glory
Is truly gratifying fact.
Mr.. FhYE's shipping bill. 1t Is thought
will be passed, and will become one Of the
few important measures that are likely to
receive attention this session. The import
ance Of the object sought will add to the
dignity and scope Of the measure proposed.
The bill has been reported from the senate
committee on commerce, and before its au-
thor's departure for the south to investi-
gate alleged southern outrages, he charged
the senate TO handle this Workmanship of
his hands tenderly. The bill is good
measure as it goes, but the merchant ma.
rine Of the United States will never regain
its former prestige until the democratic pol
icy prevails-such policy as SENATOR VEST
proposed in speaking to Mr.. FRYE's bill.
Tnis measure of FRYE's is a substitute for O
mum Der of bills that have been referred to
the senate committee on commerce, rela-
tive to American shipping, and therefore
is, doubtless, the ultima thule of the pres
ent republican senate in the assistance
which it proposes to give to the accom-
plishmept OF the grand object sought.
The laws OF the United States require
t at officers of American ships shall be cit
IL ems of the United States and provides q
penalty for violation Of this law of fifty
cents on the ton. The laws may have been
good when passed when nearly ell the sail.
ors of American ships were Americans. but
to- day at least ninety per cent. of our sail-
ors are foreigners, AID the law works injus-
ii ce. This bill is to remedy this trouble
and for several ether desirable objects
SENATOR VEsT's amendment was for free
ships and free material.
We have tiled the protection policy with
re ference to American shipping until We
have destroyed our merchant marine and it
is certainly time definite proposals for its
and revivificstion were TAX
ing shape. If we permit foreigners 10 own
and officer and manage the internal means
of commerce OF the country, tho vast rail-
way lines and ompanies, there is no good
reason why the merchant marine shotl
not be as open field to them.
Let them own and officer ships
sailing under the American flag.
il they have the means and skill
and inclination to sssume such trusts, and
ct all those who risk their lives and money
our merchant marine have the pitiful
privilege of buying or securing their vessels
where the cheapest, fastest aud strongest
can be had.
Mr.. FRIES shipping bill, therefore, about
which considerable is being said and
which promises to prove leading measure
Is but step in the right direction. With
SENATOR VEsr's proposed amendment In
in the bill, it will solve the
problem of the revival Of American ship
ping. Without it, it will rectify mistaken
and remove some burdens, but it will leave
he great question still open and the great
,st distractions still standing upon the
books.