The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-07-08
Advertisements for THE WEEKLY Sun,
issVed tomorrow morning, must be handed in
this evening before siD O'Clock.
The Debate on the Shipping Bills.

The debate In the Senate on Mr.. FRYRs
two bills for the relief OF the American mer-
chant marine is very important. 1t has at
tracted less attention than would be the
case II public interest we're not concentrat-
cd upon the Federal Election bill.
The first measure Is known as the tonnage
bounty bill. 1t provides for q bounty on
tonnage for all American ships, steam or
sail, Of certain grade OF construction. The
bounty 10 thirty cents o ton for each 1000
miles sailed, during the next ten years. and
twenty-seven cents ton during the nine
years thereafter. This is the measure
favored by the Shipping League Associa-
ton. Commissioner BATES estimates that
under the operation Of the proposed law
the aggregate Of bounties paid annually
would rise in three or four years to $5,0O0,-
900 or $6,O00,OO0 Senator FRYE says that he
should be disappointed II the aggregate did
not rise to 100000 or $s,OOO,OO0 year.
1.-THE larger the figure It reaches" says Mr..
FRYE, 1.-THE more effect 1t will have had
upon commerce"
The second measure Is a postal subsidy
bill. 1t is designed to encourage the crea-
ton Of American lines OF swift, flrst-class
steamers, and the bounty Is graduated ac-
cording to the class Of vessel. For great
American steamships in the Atlantic trade
the amount paid by the Government under
either OF the two bills would be about the
same; but shipowners could not take ad
vantage Of both benefits. That Is to say,
vessel receiving money from the Govern
ment under this postal subsidy law could
not also draw the general tonnage bounty
These measures supplement each other,
and in combination form the boldest most
Intelligent, and most promising scheme for
the restoration by subsidy Of the American
merchant marine that has ever been pre-
scented in Congress. This is due in great
measure to Mr.. FRYE's zeal for the American
0hipping interests and his perfect compre-
henslon Of tho conditions of the problem.
His motive is patriotic, and, whether the
bills pass or fail, he deserves credit for his
efforts In behalf Of an industry that appeals
TO tho sentiments Of every American who re-
members with pride the time when our flag
covered the oceans.
It is useless to regard the two shipping
bills as anything else than subsidy bills out
right. That Is what they are. The money
expended under their operation would be
money raised by taxes and expended for the
indirect benefit OF the many, and to the d.
rect profit Of the few.
But perhaps Brother BLAINE would say, the
subsidy question is question not OF princi-
pie, but Of policy Is 1t worth the while Of this
country to pay six million, or twelve mil
lion. or twenty million dollars year to
restore and build up again our once enor-
nous carrying trade on the high seas2 We
pay $5o0OooOO year In taxes to keep
alive the sugar-growing industry of the
South. We pay $15O,OOOOOO to $780,
100000 year to foreign nations for
carrying our ocean freiRhts and ocean
passengers. To get our ships once more
upon the ocean. to make the United
States once more maritime nation to Sc
cure at tho same time a school and re-
cruiting class for the seamen Of the navy
We shall one day need, is $6,OOOOOO or $2O-
00O.000 year too much to spend2
Let Senators and Representatives. there
fore, consider the two shipping bills on their
merits as means to an end. Do the bills bid
fair to accomplish their purpose, and are they
the best instruments that can be devised for
the restoration Of American commerce.