New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-01-17
FOR AMERICAN SHIPPING.
A NOTABLE GATHERING IN WASHINGTON.
STRONG MEN WHO SEEK TO REMEDY THE DEcA.
DENCE or THE CoUSTRy's suIPBULpING
ISDUsTEY-ExTHUsfAsMO THE DEL
GATHS - LETTEKS AND TILE.

League this afternoon. II was the opening session
of their first National gathering From q nucleus
OF State organizations the central body has de-
velopcd until it now brings together represent
atives Of the shipping. Industrial and commercial
industries Of the entire country. The decorations
Of the hall were not elaborate but appropriate for
such an occasion. Back of the stage hung the
picture Of full-rgged brig. under full sail and
with colors flying. 1t was drapcd with American
flags and above were the historic words: Don't
give up the ship On a table stood fine model
OF man-of-war and about the stage flags and
shields were artistcally arrayed Looking at this
body OF men from the stage one could not but he
impressed with the general effect OF soldity, dig
nifty and intelligence which IL presented. IL was
not mass convention 10 which everybody came
freely but nearly every one OF the hundred sub
stantial men present was the representative and
exponent Of some city, commercial organization
Bedford sent Thomas w. Cook to represent that
city, while Mayors of other cities forwarded Gre
representatives Of shipping interests composed the
majority. They did not send their employees, but
in most eases the veteran heads Of the various lead
ing establishments OF the country came IN person
to lend the force of their presence and voice to the
patriotic purposes Of the convention
REPRESENTATIVE MEN PRESENT.
In a front seat to the left sat that grandfather
Of American snipbuildeis. William n. Webb.
Although now slverhaired his fathers before him
had been the leading shipbuilders of the day.
policy cripple the industry and drive the Stars and
Stripes from the sea. lie came at the head OF the
delegation representing the New-Yorlx Chamber
of Commerce. and with him were John Z. Henry,
Harvey G. Calllns AMI william II Lyon. With
Mr. Webb. chatted Arthur Sewell, Of that great
firm OF Maine shipbuilders, O.. Sewcu Il Co,
which is said to control as much tonnage any
concern In the country. In another group were
the veteran shipbuilder, Captain Ambrose Snow
Of New-York Of the house of Snow e. Burgess
N
Line, both officers of the League and ardent
workers in the present crusade. Others noticed
and Samuel Carey, of New-York: II. ID. Goss
Frederick Fraley and Charles Cramp. Of Phila-
3 Gsare g. 49GS % gSStSn to DR. III A.
George H. Brewer, of New-Jersey: G. c. Goss, OF
Maine, and many others whose names have como
to be inseparabIy connected with the most cx-
tensive shipping industries Of the country
Unlike most conventions, there was a sponta-
neity and enthusiasm about the proceedings and
they are enlisted in the noble, purpose that has
called them together Not only were there fire.
eed If sus @ss
tic and waved their hats in the air. Particu-
lary when the ringing words OF letter from
Admiral Porter, were read did the whole con,en-
ton become dcmOnstrative. several were on
their feet proposing thanks and cheers, when Ste
Three cheers for the Admiral" They wero
given with will, silk hats going into the air To
emp M the or sms mot content with
Such incidents not only snow the temper of tho
convention and ITS reception OF the Adm,raIs
letter. but presage campaign which Will be
doubly vigorous when fired by such enthusiasm.
PRAYER FOR AMERICAN SHIPPING.
In opening the convention with prayer the Rev.
Dr.. Leonard asked in fitting terms for Divine
guidance which might lead to the welfare and do
veopment of American Shipping.
Without the formality of an opening address
President Wheeler introduced the venerable IIora-
ito King, who welcomed the Convention to Wash
lngton His appearance was particularly hitting.
for he Is one of the oldest living ex-Postmaster
Generals and was pioneer IN the development
OF means for carrying American malls IN Amer
can ships He was glad such a body Of
for the men who were now quibbling over trIhmg
party differences might well pause to consider the
seeks to promote.
From pile of kilograms and letters which wonld
fill dozen scrap books Secretary Hill selected q
few that were unusually epigrammatIc. Ia torse
sentences the heads OF boarls of trade from
New Orleans to the Great Lakes and from san
Francisco 10 New-York sent apt words of com
mendation and support. Finally Mr.. Hill came to
tie letter of Admiral Porter, of the Navy. lie had
wished that the Admlrals own voice could have
given expression to the strong sentences. The
reading was frequently interrupted with applause,
and this gradually became contagious ending IN a
says that the motto Of the l. ague, Don't give up
the ship" has opened mp an issue more important
AT this moment than the tariff or tae surpins in The
Treasury. The latter he SAYS IL only q temporary
inconvenience. The letter continued:
You como for the purpose OF taking measures
to revive once magnificent ocean cUlninerce and
S16O, ,OOO,O a year which has passed out OF this
country in gold and has been actually taken from he
pockets OF foreigners. This great low Of wealth
Swes the wealth OF European st tics. Increases their
tho ocean with their ships, builds up their great
marine workshops and strengthens their naves In
in this country of employment The Government Is
particularly concerned for the revival Of our ship
of a great militia and supply ms during war
with officers and seamen who. with very little
OF the Naval service. We would be provided With
large number Of commerce destroyers, In defanlt OF
which nation could carry on q maritime war.
Tho restoration Of our mercantile marine is In
separabo from tho rehabilitation Of our Navy.
"The Present Impotencv of our Merchant Ma
rinc" was the topic of Colonel Switzler, head o!
the Bureau of Statistics of the Treasury Depart
ment Ath Ough dealing IN figures, " hicb usually
weary popular audience. the logic behind the
figures was cOnvncIn that the subject held
the attention OF the ns address
coming from such source. and giving
figures which were not generally. but severely ac'
duced to such a popular iorm that il could be
readily caught and retained. For instance. a.
though one might not remember .,e s stati,,,sa
ssSs ss%tuers %os Conclusion @ that FIVE % YEARS before
the war our merchant marine was tho anfocr,t of
the seas rs per cent Of American commerce being
carried in American bottoms, while N ss7 only
/ per cent of our tonnage was carried 10 American
bottoms.
THE FARMERS IvTEgEsT IN SHIPS
A vigorous speech bv George 3. LorinQ. Of Bos-
rou formerly Commissioner of Agriculture, was
designed to show the interest which the agrcult-
urst has iD he shipping interest tor u s te means
of carrying his produce 10 the markets of the
world
The address Of Mr.. Barnes was also q valuable
contribu ion TO The convention.
The convention will continue it's sessions TO.
morrow, but the exact order of topics tor the cay
in not yet determined
TuE TRIBUNE correspondent was able to get
brief expressions of opinion from prominent dele
gates 49,
" Ilam II. Webb said:
I look ut the matter fr broad National point o.
view, for am not In the shipping business, al
thsugh for twsnty years built mere ships tnan any
man In the country at the time. Although this extern
yaa far a La falulY