The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-01-19
OUR FLAG ON THE OCEAN.
SUBSIDIES AND BOUNTIES FOR A
MERCHANT MARINE.

The National Shipping and Industrial
League Heard by the House Com.
mittee on tho Merchant Marine
Admiral Porter and Gen. Imboden
Address the Convention.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 1S.--The National
Shipping and Industrial League was to-day
heard by the House Committee on Merchant
Marine. The spolesmen of the league were
Gen. Imboden, of Virginia, and exCon-
gresham Orlando b. Potter, of New York,
who presented arguments in favor of boun-
ties and subsidies to merchant vessels of
America engaged in the foreign carrying
trade. They then called upon President
Cleveland. The officers for the ensuing
year were elected as follows: President,
Gen. Joseph Wheeler Of Alabama; First
Vice President, Capt. Ambrose Snow
of New York; Second Vice Presi-
dent, l.. NJ Merritt Of Florida;
Third Vice President, George A. Kelly Of
Pennsylvania; Fourth Vice President, Hon.
John H. Gear Of Iowa; FifthVice President,
Thomas L. Thompson of California; Secre-
tary, Charles S. Hill of Washington;
Treasurer, A. Vanderbilt of New York.
An Executive Board, Commission of Con-
one from each State and Territory, repre-
sented i'll the convention were chosen.
ADMIRAL PoRTER's ADDRESS.
Admiral David D. Porter delivered short
address before the league this afternoon, in
which he said: II consider that you are
simply the advance guard of a great army
of delegates who are to come from all the
States of the Union to demand that Ameri-
can shipping shall be revived"
Gen. Imboden, of Virginia, also addressed
the convention. His speech was spirited
and patriotic, and during its delivery he
was often interrupted by applause.
Resolutions were adopted urging Congress
to pass n bill providing for the payment to
vessels built and wholly owned in America,
engaged in the foreign carrying trade,
of a bounty of soc. per ton per
1000 miles for ten years from the passage
of the bill, the bounty to be gradually re-
duced during the succeeding nine years;
also urging upon Congress immediate pro-
vision for defense of the coast ana seaport
cities of the United States on the lakes as
well as on the seaboard; also further urging
upon Congress the rebuilding and equip
ment of q strong and efficient navy pot
only for maritime defense, but for the Sc
curity of our commerce and carrying trade
on the high seas; also urging upon Congress
adequate and progressive provision for the
improvement of the harbors and rivers of
the whole country.
SHOULD CARRY OUR OWN MAILS.
The convention also resolved that ths
United States mails ought to be carried be-
tween this and foreign countries in Ameri-
can ships, under our own flag, as soon as
practicable consistently with certainty aud
celebrity of service, and that for such ser
vice this government ought to pay just and
adequate compensation, regardless of the
price at which other nations are
willing to compete for this
foreign service. Also that the vast
present and prospective manufacturing
and commercial interests of this country
entitle them to a foreign mail service, the
promptness, celebrity and certainty OF
which shall be insured in peace and
war, by national patriotism, and
national pride, and national ambition
to extend our influence, our COM
merce and our markets throughout the
world, and that such service can only be
relied upon, in peace and war, from Ameri-
can hands, warmed by American hearts,
under the American flag.
The convention then adjourned sine die.