Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1899-01-28
STICK TO THE PLATFORM.

upon the necessity for the restoration
of the Merchant Marine. 1t was
We favor restoring the American
policy of discriminating duties for the
upbuilding of our Merchant Marine
and the protection of our shipping in
the foreign carrying trade, so that
American ships-the product of Amer
lean labor employed in American
shipyards, sailing under the Stars and
Stripes, and manned. Differed and
owned by Americans-may regain
the carrying trade of our foreign COM
merce.
And President Mckinley in his let
ter Of acceptance, unequivocally en-
dorsed this plank in these words:
The declaration Of the Republican
platform in favor of the upbuilding Of
our Merchant Marine has my hearty
approval. The policy Of discriminat-
ing duties in favor of our shipping,
which prevailed in the early days Of
orr history, should be again prompt
| ly adopted by Congress and vigorous
ly supported until our prestige and
supremacy on the seas is fully at
| tanned.
OF breadstuffs we exported last year
more than $3o8. 900, 900 worth, an in
crease of about 500, 900, 600 over our
exports of like commodities last year,
and $50, 600. 900 over 1895. Our ex-
ports OF provisions aggregated more
than $I63, 600, 900 worth last year, an
increase of SIC, 900, 900 over 1897, and
$50, 600, 900 over 1895. Our cotton
exports increased more than two mill
lion bales in 1898 over those OF the
previous year. and three million bales
over 1895.
We pay $500, 600, 600 to foreign
steamship companies to carry our
merchandise over the sea.
Great Britain protects her Merchant
Marine to an extent that makes her
the mistress of the seas in the carry
ing trade as we'll as in war.
Let America protect our Merchant
Marine equal to the Protection afford
ed by Great Britain and what vast
amount of employment it would al
ford our wage learners in both build,
ing and sailing ships.
And let us never lose sight of the
only true standard of prosperity;
work for everybody and everybody at
work.
By Protection, through the grand
and glorious Dingley Tariff, our for
eign commer has not only become
immense, but we expect double what
we import
What we need in America is not
cheaper vessels but sufficient Protec-
ton to enable our Merchant Marine
to compete with foreign firms in the
carrying trade.
The measure advocated by Senator
Elkins, providing for discriminating
duties, is the only true solution. The
HANNAH Payne subsidy and free-ship
bill would be terribly expensive,
would involve additional taxation and
would not afford the needed relief.
1t is estimated that it would cost
somewhere between 5000, 900 and
$50 600, 900 per auuum.
The Elkins bill will yield revenue
of $40, 900, to $50, 900, 900 per annum.
Great Britain imposes tax on i'm.
ports carried on other than British
ships. Why should not America do
SO? That question has not yet been
answered and cannot be answered.
The passage of the Elkins bill will
permit the repeal of many of the OBJ
noxious features of the War Revenue
law.
Owing to diminished imports, the
Dingley Tariff cannot be expected to
do more than at present.
Increased obligations demand in
creased revenues. The Elkius bill
will supply that demand without adj
ditional burdens of taxation. The
HANNAH Payne bill will not only not
increase the revenues, but will re-
quire vast sums perpetually to accom-
plish the desired object.
There is every reason why every
Republican should stick to the plat
form.
If not so ludicrous, it would be pa
thetic to view the change that has re-
Gently possessed the Wheeling Regis
ter. From a violent. ranting, rip
..,a ko.ctnro..n a.o..e..:..-.