The Hot Springs star. (Hot Spings [Hot Springs], Dakota [Dakota Territory, i.e. S.D.]) 1886-189?, 1889-12-13
The Merchant Marine.

to the national pride, and nothing moro
hurtful to the national prosperity than the
inferiority of our merchant marine, COM.
pared with that of other nations whose gen.
eral RESOURCES. wealth and sea coast line do
not suggest any reason for their supremacy
on the sea. II was not always so and our
people are agreed. l think. that it shall not
continue to lie so. 1t is not possible in this
communication to discuss the causes of the
decay OF our shipping interests on the diff
lerlne. methods by Which it is proposed to
restore them. The statement of a few well au-
thenticated facts and some general sugces.
tions as to legislation is all that is practi-
cable. II is because the steamship lines sail
ing under the flags of England, France.
Germany, Spain and Italy, and engaged in
lorelgn commerce were prom Oted and have
since been and o are Literally aided by
grants of public money in one form or an
other. 1t is as generally known that the
American lines of steamships have been
abandoned by us to an unequal contest with
the lines of other nations until they have
been withdrawn, or i'll the few cases where
they are still maintained, are subject to
SERIOUS DISADVANTAGES.
1t il a matter of common knowledge. The
present situation is such that the sailing and
merchandise ships finds Liverpool often q
necessary Intermediate port between New
w otNt SohAo vi SllS Out kAll0I1GAl S6UIo
tails. The fact that ONE of tho delegates
from South American states TO
the conference of American nations
now in session ut Washington
reached our shores by reversing that line Of
travel is very conclusive of the need of such
q conference, and very suggestive as to tho
first and most necessary step in the direc-
ton of fuller and more beneficial inter-
course with nations that are now our neigh.
bors. upon the lines of latitude but not
upon the lines of established commercial
intercourse.
A NAVAL RESERVE.
We should also make provision for n
naval reserve to consist of such merchant
SHIPS, of American construction and of n
specified tonnage and speed, as the owners
Will consent to place at tho use of the gov.
INT i'll case of need as ironed c~ruisera.
England has adopted this policy and as a
result can now upon necessity place upon
her naval list some of the fastest steamships
III the world. A proper supervision of con.
struction of snch vessels would make their
conversion into effective ships of war very
easy. l am IN advocate of economy in our
national expenditures, but it is a misuse Of
terms to make this word describe q policy
that withholds nm expenditure for the purpose
of:extending our foreign commerce. The
enlargement md improvement of our mer-
chant marine, tine development OF a sufa.
Gent body of trained American seamen. The
promotion of rapid and regular mail COM
munication between the ports of other coun.
tries and. our own. and the adaptation Of
large and swift American merchant steaua-
ships to naval uses in time of war. are pub
lie purposes of the highest concern. The
enlarged participation Of our people in the
carrying trade, the new and increased mar
kets that will be opened for the products Of
our farms and factories, the fuller and better
employment Of our mechanics. which will
result from a liberal promotion of our for
eign commerce, insures the widest possible
diffusion of benefit TO all the states and to
all our people.
Everything IN most propitious for the pres.
ent Inauguration of aliberal and progressive
policy upon this subject, and we should en-
ter ter, upon il with promptness and decision.
sincerely believed, will promote the peace
ard honor of our country and the prosperity
and security of the people.
Invoke the diligent and serious attention
OF congress to the consideration Of these
and such other measures az may be pre-
sented, having the same great end in view.
BENJAMIN HAnRIsoA.