Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1885-05-06
An Extra Session,

An Extra Session,
Nearly all the great newspapers OF
the country approve the suggestion OF
the New York Herald that President
Cleveland, in the event OF war be-
tween England and Russia, consider
the calling OF an extra session Of con.
gress for the purpose Of modifying the
navigation laws. The old act OF 1892
forbids the secretary Of the treasury to
issue an American register to a foreign
built ship. England appreciates the
danger of loss of its immense ocean
carrying trade in case war Ia declared,
for Russia is already preparing for an
energetic privateeriug against English
merchantmen. The opportunity af-
forded the United States Of establish
ing supremacy in the carrying trade
of the seas by the war, which would
no doubt involve other powers than
Great Britain and Russia, would be
one not to be neglected. That old act
of congress is but another phase of the
protection that robs the many for
the benefit of the few, and its
repeal is demanded whether there be
war or not. The arguments used in
favor Of the extra session, and ef the
repeal of the act of 1892, apply as well
In time of peace as in a time of war.
In order to avail ourselves OF the oppor-
tunity offered by the war, Ii IL come,
we would be compelled to buy foreign
built ships; and II vessels once
brought into American hands and UNI
der the American flag would be apt to
remain there" the argument of the
New York Commercial Advertiser is a
timely suggestion to congress whether
in extra or in regular session. Says that
paper; "If we had ships with which
to do the work the inevitable result of
q great war involving England would
be the transference of the greater
part Of the worlds carving
trade to our merchantmen. Un-
luckily we have not the chips, and
cannot build them in time to secure
the advantage thus offered us, an ad-
vantage which is much greater than
at first appears, for, with the carrying
trade in our control, our manufac.
turers of every kind would be able to
enter into and possess markets OF un.
told value from which their wares are
now excluded by English and other
competition.
"our merchants could buy the neces
sary ships at advantageous figures II
the law allowed them to do so. Ship
owners whose vessels are subjected 10
constant danger OF capture would sell
their property of that kind at sacri.
flee in every case, and in few months
we might easily buy all the ships
needed with which to do the business
OF the world in every sea.
THE only obstacle is in our naylga.
tlon laws, framed nearly century ago
to meet conditions that no longer
exist. Why should not congress as.
sem6le and repeal those laws, or so
modify them rs to permit the pur-
chase by Americans of foreign.built
ships to be used only in foreign trade +?
such a modification would in no wav
Interfere with the monopoly OF our
ehipbuilders in the construction of
ships for coastwise service. 1t would
giveou ship-yards more business in
the work OF making repairs than they
now havein building ships. 1t would
make this a great maritime nation
again, and in the end would make
shipbuilding profitable here. Mean.
time 1t would give our merchants con.
troll OF the commerce of the world and
open all markets 10 our manufacturers
"A great opportunity lies before ma
and II we are wise enough TO seIze n
promptly our country's prosperity will
become greater st once than Il has
ever been. Our flag will fioat over
every sea, our spindles and our fur.
naees will be set in operation and
every msn in the land viii be bene.
hted in his fortunes by the access Of
wealth and the stimulation of Industry
That must follow. Shall we sct
promptly, or shall we sit still and Ia,
une opportunity pass us byen