Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1885-12-14

ing an account Of the work o.
the new hOrrau of navigation
since It's establishment hy the pingty
shipping act. In comparing the status
81 American shipping with that of other
maritime countries, he SAYS, Though we
may have developed IN other ways, we
have not kept pace on the sea, With the
early promise Of our national y0nth, The
complaints, however, are not true that
our shipping is going 10 ruin, as our mer.
camille navy stands second among the
nations OF the world, and sull forms one
element of our gre ttness. Tho total
number of vessels employed on the Allan.
tic and Pacific coasts, including We tern
rivers, aud all inland navigation, excepting
the northern akeS, on June so, 1885, was
1928, and their tonnage 2l6,652. OF
this number SG2 were sailing vessels,
4lll steam vessels, 256 canal boats aud
s9i barges The total number of vessels
engaged in coastSiSe trade, excluding
| those engaged In fisheries and upon
northern lakes aud western rivers, was
1928, their tonnage 2,00l,9l7.
Commissioner Patton gives figures 10
snow that our coasting trade is by far the
most touriShing branch Of the United
States merchant marine aud says II we In.
Guide lake and river tonnage u Is the
most formidable coasting feet IN the
world, surprising In point Of tonnage the
combined mercantile nayics ot any two
nations, excluding Great Britain. Moro.
over this feet Of coasters of
various kinds, built for CONDUCTING
the traffic Of our extended coasts and
long rivers, Is admirably adapted to the
diversified variety 0t business Il was
a. "a : TaN sffhN 80 - l.
| equipment, efficiency Of vessels and
accommodations aud comfort for those
on board, second to no lleet In the worlo
The commissioner SAYS that the relief
afforded AMERICAN shipping, through the
operation OF the shipping act Of June So
1854, Is already felt in our favor. hut our
| expectations OF permanent revival must
be delayed until the reactiou COMES, with
demand for more tonnage. He thinks
that everything should be done 60 eli.
courage American iron shlp-buildors, and
the practice adopted In France and other
nations of granting bountes on ship
| building in ordor to give their vessels
equal standing as TO price Is commended
| On the subject Of pilotagp the COM
missioner remarks that the time has ar
rived for congress TO take charge OF the
| whole question Of p!lotage, In
the interest of pilots themselves,
aud of others concerned. The system
OF pilotage varies In many states
and the rates are too high In nearly all
These are shown TO be oppressive TO
ship owners, aud TO demand the iutrn-
duction of q new system, that shall op.
crate alike throughout the Union,
Local taxation OF shipping In various
! states Is also dealt with and IL is suggested
hat shipping constitutes class OF prop.
'rty, and If not altogether exempt from
faNation, should only be partially taxed
! In no case, says The commissioner, should
lac laS b, unjust to the American ship.
wucr, WHO has TO bear a double burden
10 the decrease in value Of his property
! nd comp, tiuon with foreign ship own
rs. The IS tersiou 10 river gteamors
( the limited liability section Of act June
20, 1854, Is strongly urged,