Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1896-04-29
Let the American Flag Fly.

1
pressed desire to see some legis-
lation enacted by the present Con-
gress In the interests of the fail.
ing industries of the country, is
also making a good fight for the
enactment of shipping law that
shall discriminate in favor of the
shipping interests of the United
States. Senator Elkins is a stall.
wart Protectionist, and he 10 ready
to support any measure that will
be beneficial to American interests
whether of the factory, the farm
or of commerce. In reply to the
question recently prcpounded by
us to the Senators respecting their
duty toward the Dingley Revenue
bill, Senator Elkirs replied
promptly, and with great earnest
ness, that he favored pressing the
bill to a vote at every opportunity
and that he had been of that opin-
ion from the beginning.
The West Virginia Senator is
equally in earnest with respect to
the bill which he introduced early
IN the session, the object of which
was to restore the discriminating
policy as enacted by former legis
lation of Congress, by which
American ships carrying goods
imported from foreign ports are to
be given an advantage over ships
owned and sailed by foreigners.
This policy is in line with the best
Protection to American shipping,
which is certainly entitled to ev-
cry fair advantage that can be
given by the laws of an American
Congress.
Senator Elkins' bill is still
quietly sleeping in the pigeon
holes of the Committee on Com
MERGE, and although that commit
tee is presided over by go good a.
friend of American shipping as is
Senator Frye, of Name, there does
not appear to be any prospect of
the bill being reported and favor
ably considered during the rem ain
Ing few days of this session. Like
the Revenue bill, and similar
measures that are designed to give
more and better Protection to
American interests from the ire
mendous competition to which
they are subjected by the cheap
labor and low standard of living
III the old world, the Shipping bill
must wait until the Senators be-
come awakened to realizing sense
of the duty of the hour.
1t is credItable to Senator Ell
klns, however, that in the face of
the discouragements of the times
he continues his fight for all Pro-
tective measures, and that he
promises to stir up the Senate be-
fore the present session is ended
with some vigorous talk and work
for the Shipping bill and discrim-
mating duties in favor of our
shipping.
The history of such discrimi.
mating duties, the lovying of a 1O
per cent. additional duty on goods
imported from foreign countries
when they are brought III here in
foreign ships, gives so much evil
dence of the benefcient effects OF
that policy upon our shipping that
1t would seem that a mere refer
ence to it should arouse even the
republican members of the Unit
ed States Senate. Every time that
policy was tried it resulted in
splendidly stimulating the Amerl-
can merchant marine. During the
periods when the discriminating
duties were enforced our shipping
interests were materially revived,
and the abandonment Of the poll
cy was promptly followed by a COR
responding decline in our Shipping
interests. After more than half a
century Of do-nothing policy, and
the competition Of the heavily
subsidized shipping lines Of for
eign countries that are aggressive
In their contests for trade. the re-
suit has been that American shlps
are carrying only II per cent. Of
our foreign trade.
Under the policy Of Protection
to our manufacturing industries.
and in spite Of the vicious and IN.