National Republican., 1888-01-17
THE SHIPPING LEAGUE.
AN EFFORT TO BUILD UP OUR MER-
CHANT MARINE.
Auspioious Opening of the Convention
-Boards OF Trades and Commercial
Associations Represented - Strong
Letter from Admiral Porter - Ad-
mirabIe Address of Col, Switzier.

Willard Hall was handsomely draped
yesterday in honor of the annual conven.
tion of the American Shipping and Indus.
trial League, and over the front on + street
fell large American flag with the name OF
the league and "Aberican Shipping Must
and Shall Be Restored" 1t was after 3
o'clock when Gen. Wheeler, Of Alabama,
president Of the league, called the meeting
to order, and there was large number Of
delegates present. They represented boards
oftrade throughout the country, and from
the various commercial associations. Sec
retary Charles s. Hill was kept busy en-
rolling the names OF the delegates and get.
ting affairs into business shape.
After prayer by Rev. DIR. Charles NJ.
Pyne letter was read from Commissioner
Webb stating his inability to be present on
account of sickness, by Postmaster
General Horatlo King, who delivered the
address of welcome.
Capt. Snow, of New York, addressed the
convention briefly on the strong foreign In
iluence bearing upon the shipping in the
port of New York.
Secretary Hill, at the request of the pres
dent, read the many kilograms receiTed
fiom different parts Of the country, also
the following able letter from Admiral
Porter:
ADMIRAL PoRTER's LETTER.
WAsnisG1oN, D. c., Jan. ., iSSs. .-GESTtEMEN
OF THE AMERICAS SHtPriNG AND lSpUsrEIAi
LEAGUE You have assembled from all parts of
the Union, WITH your motto, "DJn,t give up
the ship" nailed TO the mast-a motto dear to
every American sailor; You have opened up
American citi2en-an issue which appeals to
every industry within the borders OF the United
States and no more important at this moment
than the tariff or free trade or the surplus reve
nue in the treasury. The latter is only tenn
poraiy Inconvenience which can easily be al
justcd. and no doubt within few months
means will be taken to return the surplus raye.
nue. as q circulating medium among our pco-
pie, who will be no losers in the end;
But you are here for far higher object than
TO dispose of a temporary inconvenience lou
come for the purpose oil taking measures to re.
yive our once magnificent ocean commerce,
and TO retain within our own land the enor-
nous sum of Sl6Q, ,0O00 900 year, which aggrc-
gates in the last ten years, Sl,G01,OOJ,OOO, an
amount which has passed out Of this county
circulating medium of the country This vast
sYR has gone into the. pockets of foreigners
steamship companies-about the only income
from our expenditure. being the small amounts
distributed In American ports for supplies,
What Is the temporary holding of the surplus
in the treasury compared to this great outgo,
which would impovcrish any other nation on
the face of the earth? How many nations in
in their treasury vaults? They would not by
any m cans look upon 1t as a disadvantage, but
would much rather zee the great ilow Of
II all goes to swell the wealth OF certain Eu'
ropean states while, proportionally decreasing
ours. 1t increases their cities; 1t gives employ
ment TO their artisans; II covers the ocean with
their ships; II builds up their great marine
workshops, and It strengthens their nnyiesc
In an equal ratio 1t depriyes q multitude Of
Keeps our marine workshops Mt low ebb, and
causes a contraction of the currency to an
amount almost sufficient TO paralyze business:
Italy were dependent on Great Britain Tor
building their largo ocean steamships. but by
States they have been able to declare their
Independence and TO build up their own ex-
tenslve shpyards. The nations Of the conti-
cheaply as they could have them made in
England while at the same time they pro-
vided against the contingencies of war being
able in case of hostilties to construct their
naval vessels at home.
The shipbuildug iudus,ryis the life Of Great
Britain. Within the last few years she has
nearly every power in Europe. Had our lesis.
latoIs taken our merchant marine In hand ten
Ieen given by foreign powers to their shppifg,
We might at this time share equally with
Great Britain H. the profits of this great indus
sells constructed OF hetter material than those
of other nations and, although the cost of
labor might be greater iu the United States,
the superior quality of Our ships would more
Than compC nsate for the difference,
Ihe Gutstion of revlving our ocean COM
neice is rot political brt national issue.
one in which every wOrkingmail in the couu-
Try Is personally int rested The government
ispartiGulGrly concerned. for the revival ofo
shipbuilding would enable l. to command tho
services OF a great ocean militia and supply us
during war with officers and seamen who,
with very little training, would accommo'
date themselves to the ways of the naval SER
vice. We would be provided with large
numher of commerce destroyers, in default OF
which no nation could carry on maritime
could produce numerous statistics to show
how much has been done by toreign powers
to promote the steamship lines which now
traverse every part OF the ocean. Their main
object was to foster their mercantile marine
and add TO the strength of their nnvies In time
Of war. The United States have done literally
nothing in this direction, but have forced
their mercantile marine into n position
whence II can only escape ruin through the
strong help Of the government,
The restoration OI our mercantile marine Is
inscparhble from the rehabilitation of our
navy. The two undertakings must go hand in
the time is not far distant when the same noble
spirit of nationality and patriotism which nm
derlies the favorable sentiment IN Congre} to-
ward the navy Will find expression III decided
action upon this most important OF AL national
issues.
IL seems as II frOVluencc hal cOllCClcl an
immense surplus in the treasury for the pur-
pose of giving direction to the thoughts Ol
Congress toward the noble enterprise OF pl9c
ing us again on a footing as regards our ship
ping with the other powers OF the earth. The
opportunity should not be lost. A thousand
industries will be brought TO life-a new feel
ing will animate the whole country when our
people see that Congress proposes 10 take hold
ofthis matter with proper spirit The finest
opportunity is afforded 10 relieve the treasury
of its plethora of gold, and the money VIII so
hack into circulation devoted 10 WOltlY oh
jects, which Will stimulate the pride aud ambi
lion, Of the American people tosee our country
hold its proper position before the world.
In discussing questions OF this KIND our pub
lie controversies are too apt 70 cry out against
what they. call "monopolies,' forgetting that
large subsidies were given to our Pacific rail
roads for the purpose OF enabling them to open
the highway TO California, and that subvcn
Sn was allowed to RG i or ss
great portion OF the trade Of those countries
would Row through the United states The
subveniiOn TO these steamers was not Contn
ued sufficient time 70 even let them establish
themselves on fair footing, but was tgker
from them without cause, with the result tina
nearly all the profits Of the Pacific trade have
gone Into the golfers OF tho British steam, biz
lrc that was established on the ruins Of ON
American enterprise. So 1t has been VIII
American citizens, yet 1t is an established fact
that during the time our ocean steam lines
TsIe % IN operation g 'heX afforded grealer com
so Impressed am ! with the idea that TIL
country should have It's own lines OF steam
ships and carry It's own products abroad 10 tn
fartheSt corners Of the world, that this year j
made a long and careful report to the hoa1r
able Secretary Of the Navy on the subject, q
which report beg leave TO Invite your at'en'
ton. ono OF my chief recommendations wa
that Congress should pass n tonnage bll, auC
give ships propelled by either sail or Stea u
built and owned In the United States and uu
der the American Tag 30 cents a ton for elct
l,GC0mies trnver3cd m sailing to foreign p1rS
IhcIc could be no cry Of monopoly" here
lpn IN ~ 0nt all
nike besides which the country could wei
Ni.oll To pay six or eight millions Of dollars