, 1889-12-05
THE MERCHANT MARINE.
A Powerful Plea for Government
Subsidies to Upbnild It.

5uDsiuies 10 bpDhi'u IL.
There is nothing more justly humili-
ating to the national pride and nothing
more hurtfuI To the national prosperity
than the infcriority of our merchant
marine, rs compared with that of other
nations whose general resouces, wealth
and sca.coast lines do not suggest any
reason for the supremacy on the sea. 1t
was not always so and our people are
agreed, | think, that it shall not con
tinue to be so. IL is not possible in this
communication to discuss the causes of
the decay of our shipping interests, or
the different methods by which IL is pro-
posed to restore them. The statement of
a few well authenticated facts and some
general suggestions as to legislation is
all that is practicable. The great
steamship lines, sailing under the flags
of England, France, Germany, Spain
and Italy, and engaged in foreign com
merce, were promoted, and have since
been and now are literally
aided by grant of public
money in one form or another
IL is generally known that the Amer
can lines of steamships have been
iabandoned by us TO an unequal contes
with the aided lines of other nations, I'M
I'll they have been withdrawn, or in the
few cases where they are still maintained
are subject to serious disadvantage. The
present situation Is that travellers
and merchandise find Liverpool
often a necessary intermediate
point between New York
and some of the South American cap
itals. The fact that some of the dele
gates from the South American states to
the conference OF American nations now
in session at Washington, reached our
shores by reversing that line of travel is
very conclusive Of the need of such n
conference and very suggestive as to the
first and most necessary step in the
direction of a In Her and more Beneficial
intercourse with the nations that are
now our neighboIs, not upon the lines OF
latitude, but upon ttie lines of estab-
lished commercial intercourse.
FOR An OCEAN NAIL SERVICE.
recommend that such appropriations
be made for an ocean mail service in
American ships between our ports and
those of central and South America,
China, Japan and the important islands
in both of the great oceans, as will
be Literally remunerative for the
service rendered and ms will
encourage the establishment and in
some fair degree equalize the chances OF
American steamship lines in the COM
petitions which they must meet-that
the American states lying south of us
will cordially cooperate in establishing
and maintaining such lines of steamships
to their principal ports, | don't doubt
4 NAVAL RESERVE.
We should also make provisions
for a naval reserve to consist of such
merchsit ships of American construc-
ton and of specified tonnage and speed
as the owners will consent TO place atthe
use of the government, in case of need,
as cruisers. England has adopted
this policy, and as a. result
once place upon her naval list some
of the fastest steamships in the world.
] am an advocate OF economy in our
national expenditures, but IL is n
mistake of terms to make
this word describe policy that
withholds its expenditure for
eomsrpe n Prpe'e the epiarrement 'r and s'e,s in,
provenlent Of our merchant marine, the
development of a sufficient body OF
trained American seameiI, the promo.
tion Of rapid and regular mail communi-
cation between the ports of
other countries and our own,
anu tne hIaptHtlOn OF large
and swift American merchant steam
ships to naval use in time of war are
public purposes of the highest concern.
The enlarged participation of our people
In carrying trade the new and increased
markets that will oe opened for the
products of our firms and our
factories, the fuller and better employ
ment of our mechanics which
will result from n liberal promotion of
our foreign com merce, insure the widest
possible diffusion of benefits to all the
states and to all our people. Every
thing is most propitious for the present
Inauguration OF u liberal and progressive
policy upon this subject and We should
enter upon 1t with promptness and
decision,
PERoRATIoN.
The legislation which have suggested,
I sincerely believe will promote the
peace and honor of our country and the
prosperity and security of the people.
invoke the diligent and serious attcn-
ton of congress to the consideration of
these and such other resources as may
be presented, having the same great end
in view.
BENJAMIN HARRISON.
Executive Mansion, Washington, ID. c.,
December 3, 1888,
PRESS OPISION.