The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1891-03-05
Legislation In Behalf Of American
Commerce.

The House of Representatives, on Sat
urday, had an all-night session on the
shipping bill, which simply is designed
to make effective the policy of reciproc-
ity as incorporated in the treaty with
Brazil 1t was stubbornly fought by
the Democrats for no other apparent
reason than that it would carry out the
policy of the Mckinley bill, which pro-
vides for reciprocity with South and
Central American States, when certain
named conditions exist. There is not a
sea-coast State, from Massachusetts, to
Florida that is not deeply interested in
the policy of reciprocity. and which will
not be greatly benefited by its opera
ton. There is not "A Board of Com
merca in any Southern city that d6es
not enthusiastically endorse it. But
Democratic members OF Congress from
the South, Influenced by partisan feeling
and Indifferent to the growth and pros
perity of the Southern States, openly
and persistently fought tie measure.
The bill, as it was proposed by the
House, was not adopted. but the Senate
bill. which empowers the Postmaster
General to contract for ocean mail ser
vice was as follows: 1t authorizes the Post
master General to enter into such con-
tract, for not less than five nor more than
ten wears, with American citizens for
carrying the mails on American steam
ships between United States ports and
foreign ports (the Dominion of Canada
excepted) as will subserve and promote
the postal and commercial interests OF
the United States, the mail service TO be
euuitably distributed among the Attain
tic. Mexican, Gulf, and Pacific ports.
The vessels contracted with must be of
American build and Differed by Ameri
can citizens.
The bill is identical in terms with the
Senate postal subsidy bill, except that
it makes reduction of 33 per cent. in
the rates to be paid to mail carrying YES
sells 1t provides for the division of YES
sells into four classes from 5000 ton,
twenty-knot, to 1,5OO-ton, twelve-knot
ships, with compensation per mile for
mai,-carriage as follows: First class 81
second class, So; third class, 81; fourth
class, 66 cents.
The policy involved in this measure
simply means that the commerce be
tween the United States and the South
and Central American States shall be
enlarged; that a market will be created
, for our iron, steel, machinery of al
kinds, wheat, flour, &C., assuring export
sales to the amount of at least SIS, COO,
900, which is now controlled by Euro
pean governments. 1t means the reviva
of wheat culture in Virginia and all The
wheat growing States; an improvement
in prices and general benefit to the far
mer; it means a favorable market fol
products of our furnaces and indus
trial establishments, of iron, cotton
and kindred interests. 1t means fol
the whole country the Inauguration Of
an American policy for Americans, and
the promotion of every interest OF the
people and it the nation. And it means g
demonstration of the wisdom and pnr-
poses of the Mckinley bill, the reciproc
ity policy, and the subsidy measure
which has just triumphed through Re
publican votes in Congress and will be
put into operation by a Republican
administration.