The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1899-01-07
NEEDS ENLIGHTENING
A Timely Reminder for The Benefit
of Congress.
1--WE Favor the Early American Pol
icy OF Discriminating Duties for
the Upbuiiding of Our Merchant
Marine" says the Repub-
Iican Platform.

A month or more ago the Phiiadcl-
phia board of trade passed resolutions
in effect demanding that the govern
ment take action looking 10 the protec-
ton and revival of American shipping
in our foreign trade. The resolution
also required that the organization
place itself in communication with 9TH
CT boards of trade throughout the
country 10 secure their views on the
subject. This has since been done.
The boards of trade are responding pa
triotically. and are disposed to cooper
ate upon whatever upy be agreed Is the
best method.
The Philadelphia board of trade Is
disposed TO leave 10 congress the de-
cision as TO what particular policy shall
be adopted whereby 10 revive and pro-
tect our shipping. That association. IL
seems, has been in communication with
members of congress, seeking an ex-
preston of their views, and the replies
received are generally vague and
guarded, seldom specific. In giving out
the result of its work and inquiries 20
the press the significant announcement
Is made:
None OF the organizations, however.
throw any light upon the method by which
this object shall be accomplished. That Is
the point upon which congressman would
like to be enlightened.
That the "best method" by which TO
restore American ships 10 the carrying
OF our foreign commerce is what all de-
sire, no one doubts, wherefore congress
sional anxiety TO know il is pardonable.
1t so happens that the republican party
has taken an affirmative position in
formal national convention in behalf of
specific method. Since the repub-
licans are in absolute control of con-
gress, and any method adopted to pro-
tect and revive American shipping must
receive their sanction, why not the
method to which they are pledged? The
republican platform adopted at ST.
Louis in June, 1896, contaired this
plank:
We favor restoring the early American
policy OF discriminating duties for the up
building 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 shlpyards. sitting under the stars
and stripes, and manned. Differed and
owned by Americans-may regain the car
rying OF our foreign commerce.
IL method Is wanted. therefore, the
republican party, ii will be seen, is
pledged 10 one. The suggestiveness of
this ought not TO be lost upon the Phila-
dclphia board OF trade. II need have
no qualms about indorsing IL, as the
Pennsylvania and New Jersey repub-
lican state conventions had previously
done so. In all IA republican state con-
ventions in 1896, and one democratic
state convention, formally and specifl-
cally Endorsed, in their platforms, the
"early American policy Of discriminate
ing duties" for the protection and re-
vival of American shipping in the for
cign trade.
The pros and cons Of that policy were
publicly and fully discussed from March
10 November, in 1896, and whoever in
dorsed the policy OF discriminating du-
ties did so with his eyes wide open.
President Mckinley, when accepting
the nomination OF his party, chose To
voluntarily express himself as follows:
The declaration OF the republican plat
form I'm favor OF the upbullding OF our mer-
chant marine has my hearty approval. The
policy OF discriminating duties I'm favor OF
our shipping. which prevailed In the early
years OF our history. should be again
promptly adopted by congress and vigor-
ously supported until our prestige and SUI
premacy on the seas is fully attained
Senate bill No. /. of the first session
OF the Fifty-frst congress, introduced
by Senator Elkins. OF West Virginia,
was drafted and introduced TO carry
into effect the promise of the repub-
lican party with respect to the reyivnl
OF American shipping in the foreign
trade. All of which is respectfully re-
ferred to the Philadelphia board OF
trade, with the suggestion that IL re
mind congressman seeking enlighten-
ment on this point OF the above emu
merated facts.-N. Y. Commercial.