The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-12-07
acknowledgements.
WHEELING, DECEMBER 7, 1890.


Senator ElkinS gives notice that he In
tends TO push his revenue bill, introduced
last session, aud that he has hopes that
It will pass Congress this session. 1t Is
expected to have caey sailing In tho
house and TO overcome whatever opposl-
tlon 1t may receive In the senate. The
bill. It will be remembered. has the dou-
Die purpose OF being 4 revenue measure
and a promoter OF American ship build
Ing. II provides for a tax OF ten per
cent on all goods imported to this coun-
try Ia other than American vessels.
The bill. Senator Elkrs holds. would
not be a protection to a special industry
and canno; be regarded as class leglsla-
ton. It Is not altogether a new propo-
s!tion. for It was the law OF the country
In the beginning OF the government and
ur:il after the war with Great Britain
in 1872. II was such a law that built UP
the shipping interests Of Great Britain
and made her the leading maritime ma
ton OF the world. After she repealed 1t
she followed !, up with subsidies and to-
day she is the world'c freight carrier.
Senator Elkins believes that unless the
United States does something in the
same line Great Britain will continue to
dominate the commerce OF the seas
The senator, In recently published
Interview. pointed out the historical fact
that when the law was IN force in this
country We carried 30 per cent OF our
imports in American vessels. "My BILL"
he said. was primarily intended to bring
US back to our old time maritime glory.
II can. however. be revenue measure"
Since there Is n need OF additional rev.
cnues, and there Is little hope OF recely-
ing the desired relief to the treasury
through Republican tariff laws. until the
newly elected administration comes In.
this feature OF the Elk!ns ship protection
bill should commend Itself strongly TO
members OF Congress. An estimate
made at the treasury department shows
that II the measure had been In opera
ton lasl year. In addition 10 giving an
incentive TO American ship building, 1t
would have produced $50. 900, 900 OF revc-
nue. and helped make up the deficiency
caused by the Wilson German tariff bill.
The New York World Is authority for
the statement that canvass of the
members OF the house of representatives
developes strong sentiment In favor Of
the Elkins bill. and that the senator's
programme IL to make strong fight for
It this winter In the senate.
It will be remembered that the Repub-
l!can party is committed 10 the principle
form adopted at ST. Louis this year
favors restoring the American policy
Of discriminating duties for the upbuild-
ing OF our merchant marine, and the
protection of our shipping in the foreign
carrying trade. so that American ships
the product OF American labor, employed
. in American shipyards. sailing under the
stars and stripes, and manned. Differed
and owned by AmerIcans-may regain
the carrying OF our foreign commerce"
Many OF the state conventions had
previously announced this principle and
specifically endorsed the Elkin3 bill. The
West Virginia Republican platform en-
dorsed 1t very. strongly. 1t Is hoped that
Congress will this winter see its way to
fulfill the pledge made in the platform.
Should Democratic President veto 1t.
the responsibility would lie with him.
It would not follow that the next Con-
: gress would not emphasize the desire for
it by repassIng 1t for President Mckin-
leys approval.