The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-08-29

the Result VIII BE to Restore
Prosperity TO American Ships.
The startling announcement FIRST maize
by the editor Ct SeaboarG. that section p
Of the new tariff act subjects Imports IN
British vessels not coming from British
European territories % a duty or 10 pr
cent. Of the value Of the goods higher thar
all other imports are liable 10. has liter
ally 1flmfounied the shipping worio-and
wen il may Previously 10 the adoption
OF the new tariff act ali imports in foreiSa
vessels were subject To the discriminating
duty. except those entitled 70 exemption
by treaties or an act Of congress. But.
with deliberate purpose, and with a dis
tinct object in vieT. the words '-or any
at Of congress were omitted from the
bill From the date Of the adoption Of
that act only such imports as are .'en-
titled" 20 exemption from our diScrirlinat-
ing duty by treaty or convention" may
legally escape IL The only treaty, Il 50
happens, which Grear Britain has with the
United States on this subject IS THAI con-
cigded or July 3 1915. which limits the
exemption specifically TO imports in Brit
Ish vessels coming from British European
territories. BAsing his act upon the then
existing laws Of the United States ard
Great Britain. Secretary of the Treasury
Meredith ordered the exemption OF all i'm
ports in British vessels, from wherever
brought from cur discriminating duty On
and after January l. 1850. But this later
exemption IS now walt eless, because the
only imports now entitled 70 such exemp-
ton are those provided for by treaty or
convention.
Now. as TO the reason why the words
''or any act of congress We're omitted:
The Republican party promised in It's last
~ Mo ~
American policy of discriminating duties
for the upbuilding of our merchant mar
ine and the protection Of our shipping in
the foreign trade" Having obtained con-
troll OF the government because of the
pledges made In that platform, the good
faith Of the party is involved in their re-
demptlon. Fortunately. President Nc
kinley has said in his letter of acceptance
that the declaration in the platform Just
quoted met with his hearty approval"
and he emphatically AIDED: THE policy
OF discriminating duties in favor of our
shipping watch prevailed IN the early
years of our history should be again
promptly adopted by congress" Since
I7s9, when the first tariff act was passed,
discriminating duties have been provided
for in tariff acts. the collection of which
has, from time to time been restricted
by treaties or acts of congress providing
therefor. II was feared by the Republican
store the policy of discriminating duties
fully in the new tariff bill might cause the
defeat of the bill. Hence, il was not at
tempted. But the EIkins BILL providing
for the restoration OF the discriminating
duty policy, was condensed as much as
possible and Incorporated in the tariff bill
as section 22-all except the part which alb
rsgated treaties exempting imports from
the discriminating duty. This was pur-
posely done. so as TO facilitate. at
future time the passage Of such measure
as would fully restore the discriminating
duty policy, by abFogating such treaties
as stood in the way OF that restoration. In
accordance with this purpose the words
''by any act Of congress" were left out,
because ii was not the desire or intention
OF congress that any act OF congresS-but
treaty or convention alone-should any
longer entitle any imports TO exemption
from the discriminating duty. That nav
ing been the objective, and that being the
accomplished fact how can IL be said that
this was not intended?
II happens, unfortunately for British
ship-owners. that the British government
has failed TO as carefully safeguard their
interests as other governments have SAFE
guarded their ship-owners in the carriage
of our commerce. Surely IL Is not the
province of our laws 10 protect alien in
terests? II there is a quirk or twist dis
coyerable whereby imports In British ships
may secure exemption, irrespective OF the
ports from whence they come and regard
less of the express mention Of congress 10
place a limit upon that exemption, Is II for
| the officers of our government TO make that
discovery? Surely not. Our officials can
be far better employed. They may depend,
too, on seif-Interest promoting those af-
fected TO search the treaties and the stat
utes for possible exemptions. The officers
charged with the collection OF our revenues
fvsr- fray
plenty to engage their attention In listen
| Ing 10 the pleadings and deciding upon the
| points raised by representatives Of those
i affected.
1t was the intention Of congress-beyond
! the shadow OF a doGbt-to limit the exemp-
| ton OF imports from the discriminating
/ duty only 10 such as were brought in ves-
! sells mot Of the United States. entitled, at
| the time Of such importation by treaty or
/ convention" 20 such exemption. II Is OBJ
/ vlous that this Interpretation is the one
/ which their duties compel our revenue and
| our law officers 10 Insist upon.
| These British vessels. and the Imports IN
them. now affected by the new law. are
/ bat a step IN advance Of the general appIi-
/ cation OF the discriminating duty policy 10
/ imports IN all foreign vessels. Ii Is their
| misfortune that this is so. bat in any
| event. Il would have occurred I'm few
! months anyway, because Il Is promised by
| the Republican party. and Is iadorsed and
/ eloauea5iy advocated by the president.
| VIII q way be found fer British ship
/ owners 10 evade the express mandate OF
! the law? Many are ready 10 say yes But
/ we do not believe it. Our revenue and our
/ law officers are not selected 70 discover.
/ Tor interested foreigners. possible methods
/ whereby they may ovaGe the plain pro-
/ visions 81 our laws. They are representing
/ ard supposedly safaguard'ue The interests
! Of the people Of the United States IRIS
/ We shall believe they VIII consCIentlously
/ continue - 90.
Wih rFw treaty he executed between
/ the Tested states ard Great Britain. ex-
! efuut.uE imports in British ships from cur
{ Discriminating 6uty1 Wen hsrilvf In the
+ face q fhe EXPRESS declaration ~ the Re-
/ publican platform ard his own utterances
! en- the subject az dis@rln mating duties
I President Mckinley is unlikely - initiate.
7 or the senate &c ratify such an undertake
! lu-- I've. 4 b. haz u. a.-n-r-1E nnLzr