New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-01-02
A OTORTM EOR A GREAT POLICY.

The Republicans of the House will he com
PEELED to rally their forces and TO present a
united front if the measures for the relief of
the American commercial marine are 10 he
enacted. Mr.. Cummings seems TO be the only
patriotic Representative on the Democratic side
whose aid can he absolutely depended upon.
Colleagues like Mr. Wheeler, who have been
active organizers Of the Shipping League and
are pledged to support legislation for the
restoration OF the flag 10 the seas. are already
abandoning their ground and preparing to join
tho Opposition leaders in a GlihuStcring cam
paign against these measures. In order 10 So
cure decisive action the Republicans must de-
pend upon themselves and supply quorum
from their own number. Fewer than dozen
Republican abSentces Will have il in their power
TO defeat legislation OF the first importance.
There arc now between twenty and forty Re-
publican Representatives absent from Wash
ington. They ought all to he in their seats
next week to transact the business OF the session.
This is the first and most urgent duty OF the
Republican mcmberS-to furnish quorum from
their own r;slk> The second and equally inn
pcratiye obligation is to pass large measures
for tho relief of the shining interests We
have no hesitation in recommending united
action upon the Frye Ocean Mail Service bill
and the amended Farquhar Bounty bill The
first is "A comprehensive and practical measure,
grounded upon English and German cXpcdient,,
for promoting the prosperity Of shipping IN
tcre>t>. If passed in the form in which II left
the Senate it will secure magnificent develop
ment of the American commercial marine in the
course OF n few years. The ether measure VIII
supplement its operations 10y the application OF
the French and Italian bounty system, hit Wall
not in our Judgment impart >irGly and alone
an adequate impulse TO the declining maritime
interests of the country. Both bills are need
ed The measure OF relief offered must be -
large a> to attract great masses OF capital ana
70 involve the organization OF now steamship
lines 10 England. France. Australia China. the
West Indies Central and south America.
REPRESENTATIVES who aim 10 do their duty IN
this matter must not be Influenced by the Wash
ington Hobbies There is an organized force Of
LOBBYISTS working IN the interest 81 foreign
lines. and striving to prevent the passage Of any
relief measure for American shipping. There
are also representatives of various ve>>cl-own-
era and American lines who arc pressing III"
Farauhar bill a. the only measure which can
he enacted al ms session. we a>k our ll'hu>
in the House not to take counsel with those
interested spectators. let them logl>iatc IN
such "A way ~ to create now commercial ma
rinc rather than merely 10 d"ilaN the operating
expenses OF existing lines. II ~ their acton
during the next two months The flag be lc-
stored 10 the high seas the country VIII hc
grateful T. them for their Statcsmanlikc course.
An efficient commercial marine. if established.
will heavily reduce tn" construction expenses Of
the Navy 1t will enlarge the export trade and
enhance the value of every barrel ol flour and
every case Of cotton goods produced in the
United states. The Nation will be certain 10
register its approval Of the policy Of restoring
maritime interests which every European state
protects. but which have been Systematically
and ~hamciuly neglected here decade after
decade.