The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-03-01
SENATOR PENROSE
ON PUBLIC ISSUES
Speech by Pennsylvania Junior Repre-
sentative ia the Senate.
DEFINES WHAT HE WILL WORK FOR
Is an Ardent Advocate of the Extcn-
sion of Our Foreign Commerce BY
New Waterways, an Enlarged Navy,
n Restored Merchant Marine and
IIarbor Improvements - Common
Sense on the Tariff.

Philadelphia Feb. 2S.--The address of
Senator-elect Penrose in Philadelphia
on Friday evening, made in recognition
of the complimentary banquet rendered
to him by the Pennsylvania Republi-
can league. was admirable in both style
and substance. After a modest dis
caimer Of personal claim to public
honor, the speaker dwelt at length
upon the special needs of philadelphia
to which he pledged attention at wash
ington First among these he placed
the improvement of Philadelphia har-
Dor and the Delaware channel 50 as to
admit to wharfage the largest ocean
vessels and the biggest battleships.
He argued for navy yard at Philadel-
phia, and for such an increase in the
navy as will materially promote the
restoration of the American merchant
marine, and dedicated his best energies
as senator to the accomplishment of
these results
These special references to Philadel-
phia needs be justified upon the ground
that in his election philadelphia had
gained its first direct senatorial repre-
sentation in over sixty years. But,
said he:
have served too long in the legislative
bldHCN vi UuF state government not "
feel thoroughly that l am a Pennsylva-
nian. When | reflect that ] shall repre-
sent at Washington the greatest indus
trial, manufacturing and agricultural
state in the Union, | come to full realiz-
alton of the grave responsibilities with
which the people of Pennsylvania have
entrusted me.
Western Pennsylvania also is entitled
to certain internal improvements, for
which an appropriation by congress is
riGhtfully demanded. The harbor of the
city OF Erie should be adequately pro-
Nided for by the government. Do you
realize what the commerce of the Great
Lakes means, and what are its future
possibilities? Last year there passed
through the straits of Detroit nearly 400
vessels, carrying total tonnage of some
100000 tons more than the aggregate of
the total American saltwater coast-wise
trade. 1t surpasseS the widest dream to
consider that the shores of these lakes
not many generations ago fringed by the
dark forest inhabited by Indians and
only penetrated after incredible hardship
and danger by the missionary or the
explorer may at Il not distant day be-
come, by internal Improvement, connect
ed by navigation with the shores of
Europe, and the American-built steamer
from the port of Erie may carry the
products of Pennsylvania under The
American flag to the most distant for
elgn ports.
BROADER QUESTIONS.
Pittsburg's possibilities, as the head
Of water way system connecting the
lakes with the Gulf of Mexico also
claimed his attention, and to the real
ization of these he pledged his earn
est endeaVors. In ampliiication of this
general theme he continued:
I'm my opinion there is no subject of
more vital Importance requiring action
by the next congress of the United
states than the restoration of the Amer
lean merchant marine. The merchant
marine, carrying the American flag, at
one time had nearly surpassed the mer-
chant marine of England. Certainly there
are signs abroad that the American mer-
chant marine may again acquire its for
mer powerful position Congress should
promote in every possible way the con-
struction OF American-built ships and
should provide by bounty subsidy and
mail contract so that our merchant ma
rne can compete with that of any other
nation. With a shore line extending
from the headlands of the Penobscot TO
the Gulf and the Rio Grande, soon to be
extended through Nicaragua to Puget
Sound and thence to Sitka, this country
has all the resources to become a mari
time nation upon colossal scale, and
yet the American flag is stranger to
the seas except as it is carried from one
coastwise port to another a few hundred
miles apart, 1t seldom appears in Ger
man ports, while thousand German yes
sells enter ours. In Oriental ports it is
almost unknown, and even the ports of
South America are strangers to it. The
absorption of our capital and energy in
internal improvements and internal de-
velopment, the Civil War and the mac
nf ont ha, ,;,,o,
to produce this result. | believe We are
approaching the time when our people
Will once more resume a dominant posi-
tion as a commercial nation upon the
high seas. In that dominate lies the ul-
innate wealth of commerce, and in it lies
the higher commercial supremacy of ma
tions. Until that is obtained by us We
Will not have achieved the position
among the nations of the world for
which we are destined, With proper leg
iSlation by congress capital would be
ready for such investment labor now
ready and 100000 and more American sea-
men might be employed. We have reached
point in our industrial development
when today the steel products of Penn
sylvania are sold in England, and the
same might be the case with many other
American products and manufactures.
THE TARIFF.
i~dSSlHS lneHCe 10 Wnat ne termed
"the urgent and immediate necessity
of the hour" he said with truth:
The American people demand the i'm
mediate enactment of a fair and reason
able tariff measure and relief from agi-
tation, so that there may be a revival OF
business throughout the land and the
country may resume the course of that
wonderful prosperity which they were be-
ginning to enjoy under the Harrison ad-
ministration. For several years we have
suffered from a remarkable business de-
preston and lack of business confidence,
and the American laborer, once happy
and contented, having opportunity for
employment, ana receiving good wages
has suffered severely. l hope and believe
that the speedy enactmnt of fair and
adequate tariff bin will revive our in
drstries and all forms of business and
VIII restore peace and contentment "a
the homes of American workmen. 1t Is
recognized fact that the next president
WILL soon after the 4th of March, call an
extra session of congress, to meet about
the middle of March. / hope and believe
that congress viii be patriotic enough tC
effect the necessary tariff legislation with.
out delay. Before June, let us hope, the
president will have approved "A tariff
measure which will restore at an early
date happiness, prosperity and business
confidence to our country. Such a meas
ure, IL wisely and conseryatiYely framed
should be permanent. Surely the Ameri
can people will not repeat their mistakes
of the past. Under wise leadership, the
Republican party can hope for an indeh
mite continuance of power and tha
viii mean the preservation of tariff leg