The sun., 1900-12-07
IN CONGRESS-.

IN CONGRESS.
| Congress seems to have settled down
to earnest work. Already the Ship Sub
sidy bill has been forced to the front with
an appearance of speedy passage. The
treaty with England, relative to the
Isthmean Canal, is under consideration
with good chance for ratification
These possibly are the most important
no sense new, but embody questions
long discussed and upon which there is
a well defined and favorable public senti-
ment. For years the question of how
best to promote the restoration of the
American Merchant Marine has been I'M
der discussion. The desirability of the
proposed object has never been ques-
toned; the difficulty always being the
difference between Republican and Dem
ocratic economic theories-thc difference
between protection and free trade. In a
general way it appears that that issue
had been settled by the experience of the
country from '92 to '96, and its subse-
quent experience during the last four
years. Mr.. Clevelands saying, "the
country needs an object lesson" has been
verified. The judgement proceeding
from that object lesson being adverse to
his contention.
Two things at least concur in making
II anDnnr thnt thiS INDIGNANT enttlnc II, ~
dispute about ship subsidies. First that
protection fosters American trade while
free trade ruins it. Second, that pro-
lection actually promotes American for
eign trade, instead. as its opponents con-
tended, of hindering it. Commerce has
increased enormously under the protcc-
tive laws of the last few years making
an absolute demand for increased means
of transportation; to hold and increase
this commerce ships must he forth COM
ling; and to retain the profits of that trade
for Americans, these ships must be
American ships. These things appear to
be definitely settled making the ship sub
sidy project opportune. Another circum.
stance favoring the measure in question
is the new navy project. The inspiration
Of this new project seems now to have
been prophetic. II came in time to pre-
pare the nation for defense in the Span
ish American war, and the successes achi-
eyed then have revived interest in naval
and maritime matters. The new navy
is in course Of building and already the
demand is for mon. Of these there is a
dcarth in this country-meIl are plenty
but sailors few. To remedy this an in
cehtive 70 marine service is needed anu
in no way can this he furnished with
prospective larger returns than in the
proposed revival Of he American Alcl-
chant Marine under direct National pro
motion. The money spent in this way
promotes Il great and essential trade
ship building; it fosters what has long
been sought rs the panacca for American
economic troublcs-a foreign commerce;
it provides for the national defense by
furnishing practical training school for
SNulltll III 'iHllClpHlltn Ol lllt uGcuS OF
the navy in manning the new ships.
1t seems that these facts would be
conclusive, and that the bill will become
a law. In that event this city and State
will be directly benefited in the promo,
tion of ship building. The wood and iron
ships of this city are surpassed by none
in any essential quality. 1t may be pos
sible to build larger ships elsewhere, hui
not better ones. This fact established by
long established success and fame, must
attract attention to our local ship yards
filling every one Of them with busy work
= men and all the building ways with new
vessels. There have been ship yards Al
all the towns on the Delaware and it:
, tributaries affording water enough tt
= iioat thc vessels to the river. In the de
; cahcrcc of the ship building industry con
; scqucnt upon the destruction of or for
= cign commerce, and the substitution o
iron for wood in construction, these loca
= ship yards have been in disuse; but op
: portunely with this national revival o
Il marine interest has come revival O
. wooden ship building, and it may be OK
pected that these long disused yards will
I again be occupied and one of Delaware
, oldest industries be happily revived AM
promoted.
!. 'AG'IN'' TIE GOVERNMENT.