The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-09-16

Col. Spalding. of Honolulu, having Sc
cured a franchise with subsidy from the
Hawaiian republic 10 aid I'm the construc-
ton OF a marine cable 10 the United States.
has come to this country and proposes
when congress meets 10 ask for equally
generous assistance from this government.
IL is not at all probahle that the colonel
will succeed. and for many reasons. In the
first place. subsidy from the Hawaiian
government Is a rather uncertain thing
Nobody knows now who the ruling powers
in the islands will be a year hence. and.
while a contract made by the present gov
eminent might be lived up TO by its sue
cessor. the value OF subsidy under such
a contract is something difficult of accu-
rately estimating.
So far as this country IS concerned. Col
Spalding viii Immediately find that there "a
a large class OF people here who have an
invariablc policy OF making a stand
against subsidies Of All kinds. To start in
with. the president win oppose II. Even
were a bill granting a subsidy 10 pass both
houses AR. Cleveland would no more think
% signing Il than nc would of one granting
a pension % David Bennett nan The al
mlnistrstion can hc safely counted upon as
being against subsidy whether there IS
any merit ga tho proposition or not.
Subsidies In many instances ara not such
vicious things as a good many people he
lleve. It IS not uncommon for some 20
maintain that where commercial necessity
exists for the undertaking Of a large pro-
ject there Viii always be found private
capital ready 70 embark In 10. This Is not
So. From the financial success Of the Suez
canal very few VIII question tie probability
- very fair prodt upon the stock Of the
Nicaragua canal when g Is completed
And yet it is very doubtful II private capi-
tai could be induced % undertake the build
ing Of that great waterway without some
form Of governmental assistance. II large
ends In the way OF public security or great
commercial advantages are - 20 obtained.
subsidies are rot only fusuGahle. hat often
absolutely essential % The carrying out q
an enterprise.
Whether the Hawaiian cable scheme is a
worthy ore can only be told by examining
tAe proposition itself II tho United states
Is 20 put up tie Hons share q tho costs.
stand an ne losses - What Is % he a pr
Vate business and have nothing 70 say as
% the management OF the company. thcn
Col Spal3lng might as well buy a ticket
for Honolulu aud save the trouble and ex-
pense ~ living in Washington City an a
foors erra1i.
To IS questionable whether cable - TIs-
val v,ulf pay. ore - Australia and China
va Honolulu might not prove a losing ven
lure. and IN many respects has become
commercial necessity. hlt the probabilities
ara that IL must ~ bullt either by rrivata
carital solely or BY the government No
country VIII grant any subsidy. guarantee
sry bonds and render itsolf liable IN any
way unless 8; has practically tire control
- the undertaking
- TIE United states and Hawaii are -
pay subsidies before sha cable Is laid ana
practically keep TIRE liae fl operation after
s; is completed. they might as vel busld st
tn the first place. TIE trouble With too
many O.: these schemes Is that govern
ments usually rat M she bulk o. the costs.
Get itue or 10 interest in the company and
in tie end have tAs whole tang uaIoa6ei