The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1884-07-10
THE OCEANIC SUBSIDY.

ment an annual cash subsidy OF
S4S,000, or $4,000 a trip. The
question resolves itself into two
parts. First, can we afford, as
business investment, to pay such
a large subsidy. Second, under the
circumstances, is it wise policy to
pay any subsidy to this Company.
In answer to the first proposition,
we would answer most emphatically,
that the country cannot afford to
pay such subsidy or anything like
it. Our national debt has been
increased during the last biennial
period, over $500, 900. The decline
in value of sugar during the past
year is about $50 per ton, which on
the total estimated crop of $50, 900,
is a shrinkage in value of 81 ,800,-
600. The decline in the value of
sugar, will decrease all sugar prop
erty in value, and the assessments
of cane land and growing cane will
necessarily be at a lower rate than
it was last year. This means n
large decrease in the revenue, which
must be provided for in same way.
The advantages specially claimed
for the Oceanic Company, are that
it affords better accommodations for
passengers, and that mails are
delivered oftener than by other lines.
Admitting these arguments to be
true, is the advantage derived by
the general public by reason there
of, worth S4S, 900 per annum. We
think not. The matter of better
accommodation is more or less of q
luxury from which the vast majority
of taxpayers receive no benefit !;
S4S, ,OOO'a year is paying too dear
for the difference between the pas
senger accommodation of the p. NJ.
S. S. Co. and the Oceanic. AS to
the carrying of the mails, the
Oceanic Company delivers them
more regularly than we have had
them before, but with the monthly
Pacific Mail boat, and the large
number of packets between here
and San Francisco, the advan-
tage is er t a n v not worth
$4,000 a non h. Like the
passenger ccOmmOda dations the
service is superior to that hitherto
in existence, but $48,000 year is
paying too dear for the whistle. 1t
is said that there is not business
enough to warrant the continuance
of the line without subsidy. The
answer is, that there is not business
enough for a steamer of the size of
the "Mariposa" or Alameda" leav-
ing every two weeks, but there IS
business enough for a M 0 nthly
steamer all the year round. This is
a fact which the Oceanic Company
knew perfectly well before they
began business. Because for q part
of the year there is more than suffi-
cient for one steamer, the company
put on two, and took their chances
at getting their expenses paid during
the slack period by the general
public.
Another objection to the subsidy,
is that it simply ignores the P. M.
5. s. line, which connects us with
Australia and New Zealand, and
will deprive us of the benefits of
direct communication with those
countries. The Oceanic Company
has bought or bluffed the old line
off, for its own personal advantages,
and not in the interests of the public.
But independent of the dollars and
cents question, the subsidy should
be refused on broader grounds. Who
ever the Oceanic Company may con-
sist Of, Claus Spreckels is the domin-
ating power which controls its
actions, and we cannot afford to do
anything which shall increase his
power. The spirit which he has
shown is utterly inconsistent with
freedom of trade or of opinion. So
long as there is no opposition to his
will, everything is lovely, and in his
way, he is generous. His favorite
argument is, "do what l say or /
will ruin YOU" Less than two years
ann npa of fho 4