The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-01-03
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
What Commissioner Morton Has
Found Out About Shipping.
Congressional Gossip on the Rail-
way commissioners Report.
Senator Reagan Hunting fup obJec-
tIons to the Blair Bill.

NASHlNGTON, Jan. Z,-l H6 report Ol MI.
Charles B. Morton, commissioner of naviga-
tion, which is just published, is compen-
dium of information relating to the shipping
not only of the United States but of the
world. 1t shows that the business is, more
than any other, governed by the competition
of all nations, and says that unless Ameri-
can ships in foreign ports, or in our own,
can take cargoes as cheaply or more cheaply
than the English, Norwegian, German or
Spanish vessels, merchandise will be trans
ported by foreign vessels
The commissioner sets forth in detail the
various aids and advantages enjoyed by the
shipping Of other nations and concludes that
it is impossible without change of the pres
ent conditions for our navigation to letain
its lost supremacy in foreign trade. He says
our vessels must be put on an equality with
foreign ships or they must be gradually
forced out OF the contest.
Mr.. Morton recommends that the coasting
trade be relieved of its burden as to pilotage
fees, on the ground that in many cases
where pilotage was formerly essential the
government has expended millions of dol
lars in improving channels, in placing bea-
cons and buoys, in making measurements
and accurately noting them on charts, and
erecting lighthouses. He thinks shipping
should receive the benefits of these improve
ments in reduced charges for pilotage, and
that Congress should abolish the compulsory
features of the State laws imposing pilotage
so that the practice may be uniform in all
States. He speaks of the impolicy of local
taxation of vessels and its tendency to
drive the ownership of vessels from place
where they are taxed to places where they
are not taxed, as well as the fact that 1t
weights them in their contest with foreign
ships, which are not only not taxed but are
subsidized.
The Railway Commission.
The publication of the report of the Pacific
Railway Commission has stimulated good
deal of Congressional gossip as to the action
which may be taken by Congress in tn e
event that the President may not deem it
advisable to cause suit to be instituted
against the men who have Systematically
robbed the government.
1t is stated on excellent authority that the
President has determined ON transmitting
the reports of the Pacific Railway Commits
sioners to Congress, and to recommend
strongly the line of policy laid down in the
minority report made by Ex-Governor Pat
tison. 1t is said that the reports will be
accompanied by a long communication de-
voted exclusively to the subject of the viola
tion of law, of which he believes the man
agement of the roads to have been guilty
There seems to be little doubt that the Pres
ident would have preferred the majority to
have reported as the minority has.
A prominent Representative, who took an
active interest in securing the investigation
which has been so fruitful, said today: ut
is possible that the President may prefer not
to make any special recommendation to
Congress in transmitting the two reports
He may conclude to send them in without
comment, leaving Congress unhampered in
any action 1t may choose to take. III this
course is followed the country may rest as
sured that measures will be promptly taken
to punish the men who have committed
these gigantic robberies, and who by virtue
of prominent positions in the commudity,
united with great wealth, have thus far Sc
cured immunity.
Reagan on the Constitution.
Senator Reagan, of Texas, is Industrious
ly engaged in preparing an argument against
the Blair Educational bill, which he viii
take an early opportunity to deliver upon the
floor of the Senate. With regard to the
measure he said tonight; 81 am opposed to
the passage of this bill for several reasons.
In the first place, there is no power vested in
Congress to levy taxes for the purpose of
supporting the public schools. Congress is
authorized by the Constitution to lay and
collect taxes, to pay debts, to provide for the
common defence and for the general welfare
of the country. The ablest commentators
upon the Constitution have held, and the
highest courts have sustained them, that the
general welfare clause was distinctly not a
grant of power In these days of loose con-
strnction of the Constitution may seem a
little old fashioned, but | believe we have
not outgrown that instrument yet. 1t is a
generally accepted truth that a. government
cannot levy tax for any purpose for which
it was not organized. | do not shInk that
any one will hold that the government was
organized for the purpose of running public
schools in the States. The education of the
people is purely State affair and should be
solely under the supervision of the States.
1t is often urged that because the govern
ment may grant lands for educational pur-
poses, it may grant money. There is abso
lutely no analogy here. The Constitution
gives Congress plenary and absolute power
over the public lands, and when that body
grants them for any purpose all control of
them is Erelinquished, the Government re-
tains no supervisory power over them. If it
is desired to make grants of land for the
purpose of encouraging education l Will
chaarfullv sunn0rt SIch q measure"