Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-05-14
SENATOR FRYE'S BILL
For the Promotion Of American Mai
Service and Shipping Interests, The
Hostility Of the Free Traders

The Cleveland Democracy and then
Mugwump allies sharply antagonize th'
proposition of Senator Frye and his Re
publican associates for an organized and
efficient mail service between the nsed
States, the West Indies and the South
American countries, which provides a
carefully arranged system OF Substituting
American steamship lines, precisely H.
England, France, Germany and other
foreign countries have done and are con
tinuing to do. The Cleveland and Free
Trade organs, thoroughly imbued with the
old Bourbon and Confederate views
and prcjudices attack any and
all measures looking to a substan-
tial encouragement TO American steam
ship lines in the way of bounties, sub
sides, or liberal postage rates, precisely
as the jeff Davis school of Southern
politicians did in the years Immediately
preceding the rebellion. They care no.
il the few remaining lines bearing the
flag of the United States-the Pacific Ma !
and that now running between New York
and Venezuela, aud the one striving to
live against British competition between
New York and Rio de .Janeiro-should lie
driven into BANKRUPTCY by the money OF
foreign Governments rather than the
United States, the richest country in the
world, with an overlooking treasury,
should aid them with subsidies and liberal
postal compensation.
II anything should open the eyes of
business men of the country, they are
the false and runous notions aud policy
of the party in power, in opposing all
practical measures for the encouragement
of our shipping interests and the establish
ment of those commercial agencies which
shall bring our manufacturers and mer-
chants into practical relations with for
eign countries. our Free Traders refer
us to the example of England rs to tariff
and economic policies, vet bitterly oppose
the precise measures which England has
found SO effective for the encouragement
of her manufactures and commerce. How
thoroughly practical aud completely in
earnest England has been in putting aside
all hnoiiul theories aud adopting most
powerful protective and 'paternal' policy
by fostering her own marine and striking
the hardest possible blows against her
commercial rivals, especially against the
United States. In the North American
Review of the present month, Mr.. f. L.
North states with remarkable clearncss
and force how our English rivals have an
tagonized aud sought the destruction of
our commercial interests in foreign couA
tries.
The facts are enough TO stir the blood
of every patriotic American almost as
much rs the selling of our
sailors Immediately prior To 1912
and the destruction of American ships by
English Confederate iron clads between
1861 and 1868. The agents of the British
Government and the owners of British
steam ship lines have frankly owned their
purpose to drive their American compcti-
tors from the seas in language so plain as
to leave no excuse for their sallies in thi.
country except profound ignorance OF
the question and interests involved. OF
that they are wanting in true American
patriotism.
Thus, the founder of the great Gun.
ard enterprise testified before Il Parliamen
tory committee in 1919:
IL saw that the American Government wa:
giving encouragement to q mail line (tht
Collins Line, which would Interfere yer,
much with me. and equally with the British
government depriving the government OF
half its postage and me of half my passen
gers. Ii | had got this contract three month,
sooner there would have been no American
line"
Cunard had his heavy subsidy increased
in consequence of this appeal to British
patriotism, while Bob Toomhs and JET
Davis, already plotting rebellion aud seek
Ing to weaken their country while still
mexabers of the National Senate, procured
the withdrawal of assistance from the
Collins Line. which led TO its immedat,
abandonment. If our Free Traders ash
for any confirmation of this statement
their British friends can furnish it. At s
hearing before Il Parliamentary committed
In 1859 Treasury official was asked thest
questions:
BY Richard Golden:
20. 55s. You are aware that it (the Col
Inns Line) ceased because the American gov
eminent withdrew the subsidyp"
BY Mr.. Wilson:
20. 6l3. Mr.. Cunard's contract is fl9l.
600, is it not?' "A. Yes, f19l ,o0o.'
20. 6l1. f3eo,o00 is the amount which Il
now paid by this country and the colony fo
the transatlantic postage, including the Gal
way Liner
20. 6lS. And in the face of these increas
ing subsidies the American government ha
altogether relinquished the practice of subsi