The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-12-11
STEAMSHIP SUBSIDIES.
Instead of Wise Laws He Would Give Boun-
ties to ~ camship Lines.

ties to =, eamship Lines.
There is nothing more Justly humiliat-
ing 10 the national pride and nothing more
hurtfu to the national prosperity than the
inferiority OF our merchant marine as COM
pared with that OF other nations whose
general resources, wealth and seacoast
lines do not suggest aiIy reason for their
supremacy on the sea. 1t was not always
80, and our people are agreed, L think,
that it shall not continue TO be so. 1t Is
not possible, in this communication, to
discuss the causes of the decay OF our
shipping interests or the differing meth
DDS by which it is proposed 10 restore
them. The statement OF few well-au-
thenticated facts and some general sugges-
tons as to the legislation is all that is
practicable. That the great steamship
lines sailing under the flags of England,
France, Germany, Spain and Italy, and
engaged in foreign commerce, were pro-
NOTED, and have since been and now are
literally aided, by grants of public money,
in one form or another, is generally known.
That the American line OF steamships
has been abandoned by us TO an unequal
contest with the aided lines OF other
nations until they have been withdra avn,
or in the few cases where they are still
maintained are subject to serious disad-
vantages, is matter of common knowl-
edge. The present situation is such
that travellers and merchandise find
Liverpool often q necessary inter
mediate port between New York and
some of the South American capitals. The
fact that some of the delegates from South
American states to the conference OF
American nations, now in session at
Washington, reached our shores by revers-
ing that line of travel, is very conclusive
of the need of such a conference, and very
suggestive as TO the first and most necessary
step in the direction of fuller and more
beneficial intercourse with nations that are
now our neighbors upon the lines of lati-
tude, but not upon the lines of established
commercial intercourse. l recommend that
such appropriations be made for ocean
mails service, in American steamships, be-
tween our ports and those of Central and
South America, China, Japan, and the
other islands in both of the great oceans,
as will be literally remunerative for the
servicerendered, and as will encourage the
establishment and. in some fair degree
equalize the chances Of American steam
ship lines in the competition which they
must meet. That the American states lying
south of us will cordially cooperate in es-
tablishing and maintaining such lines OF
steamships to their principal ports, do
not doubt.
We should also make provision for a
naval reserve to consist of such merchant
ships, of American construction and of
specified tonnage and speed, as the owners
will consent to place at the use of the gov
eminent, in case of need, as armed crus-
ers. England has adopted this policy, and
as result can now, upon necessity, at
once place upon her naval list some OF the
fastest steamships in the world. A proper
supervision of construction of such vessels
would make their conversion into effective
ships of war very easy.
am an advocate of economy in our
national expenditures but it is a misuse
OF terms to make this word describe a
policy that withhods an expenditure for
the purpose of extending our foreign COM
merce. The enlargement and improve
ment of our merchant marine, the de-
velopment OF sufficient body of trained
American seamen, the promotion OF rapid
and regular mail communication between
the ports of other countries and our own
and the adoption of large and swift
American merchants steamships to naval
use in time OF war, are public purposes of
the highest concern. The enlarged partc-
=
the new and increased markets that will
be opened for the products OF our farms
and factories and the fuller and better en-
piOyment OF our mechanics, which will re-
suit from a liberal promotion of our for
eign commerce, insure the widest possible
diffusion of benefit to all the states and to
all our people.
Everything is most propitious for the
present Inauguration of liberal and pro-
gressive policy upon this subject, and we
should enter upon it with promptness and
decision.
The legislation which I have suggested,
it is sincerely believed, will promote the
peace and honor of our country and the
prosperity and security of the people. l
invoke the diligent ard serious attention
OF congress to the consideration of these
and such other measures as NAV be pre-
scented, having the same great end in view.
BENJAMIN HARRISON.
Executive Mansion, Washington, d. c.,
Dec. 3, 1889.