The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-07-17

"iou VI PoWor iot eucn purposes, auQ
tho uiniug and metallurgicnl fields
must become, indeed have already be-
como. among the most important mnr-
kets for electrical appliances OF all
kinds.
Tho 0bsoiet" Nnvigailon Lava of
the UNITED states.
The Washington correspondent OF the
Baltimore Sun, from whose letter to
that paper. The YIRulSIAN quoted
from yesterday, predicts that the next
great stops to be tnken by the Demoo
racy IN it's work OF economic reform
Will be tie repeal of our obsoIete navi.
gntiou laws, and the continued growth
oil our exports of manufactured goods
will he tho most eflectual means OF re-.
storing the American carrying trade 10
American ships. The present Commits.
sloner OF Navigation, Mr.. Eugene Il.
Chambsrlain, OF New York, is AN eurn
Get and able advocate of the removal of
this great obstacle to our commerce.
n his annual report to tho Secretary
oil the Treasury, in October last, he
urged that Congress "bc requested to
permit the growth md development of
American navigation by repesling q
y
Robert Fulton's steamboat navigated
the Hudson river"
ln order to give this country again
it's proper rank as maratime power,
adds Mr.. Cham berlaine, the repeal of
those PORTIONS OF tho law (which deuv
American registry aud the American
flag to vessels Engaged in foreign trade,
owned by American citiZeus, unless
built In the United Statos," is neoos.
Bary as the preliminary step. "The
prohibition of registry" he points out.
''fails Mt every point to meet new re-
quirements of trade growing out of the
progress which has been made during
our century, It serves no
useful purpose, absolutely none. Gu
the contrary, it has put American en-
terpriss under alien hugs aud alien laws,
given to our commercial rivals control
OF the established limos OF communica.
ton by sen between tho United States
and the old worlds, crushed the ira.
ditional American maritime spirit,
BUNDLED national pride aud dwarfed
our mercantile growth" Our regis.
tered tonnage last year was actually
smaller than it was fifty years ago.
MIR. Chamberlain sees IN the opera
ton OF the new tariff law tho oppor.
tunity and promise OF reform, in this as
IN other directions. "At its last session
Congress passed bill to reduce tariit
taxation. Tint act is designed
to increase the volume of our exports
and imports. 1t is declaration of tho
purpose Of the United States hence
forth to obtain larger markets for their
products and to DO lurger purchasers
III the worlds markets. 1t mennc, both
to Its advocates md opnnpnntc that
more products and goods are to DO
transported from and to tho United
States across tho oceans. Itaiiords the
chance for declaration on the part of
this country that the United States in .
tend to have their fnir share in this
carrying trade, aud i'll any increase Of
1t which may result from notifications
OF trade laws here or abroad. To oh
tain this share, to obtain any share Mt
all, our laws must permit American
capital to embark in the ocean. CARRYING
business ut lenst on equal terms at tho
start with those who now conduct it. t"
The failure of attempts to secure &C
ton by Congress III the past has been
due TO the opposition OF protectionist
| interests and the absence of any cour.
| ciVe popular sentiment in favor OF re.
form. But the tide has turned. Pro
lection Is no longer aggressive. 1t will
be hnppy II 1t can hold on to part of
what 1t has gained. The manufacturers
| themselves may soon be demanding
that American goods be carried in
American ships. With the growth of
our foreign commerce an irreslstib,e
public opinion will be created when
VIII compel Congress to striko the last
shackles from its limbs,