The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-14
Every Line I'm the Bill Teens with
Patriotism and the Measure Is
Solely I'm the Peoples Interest.
QUESTIONS BY CLAY AND VEST
WHICH WE'RE PROMPTLY AN.
swERED BY THE OHIO SENATOR.
Debate ON the Revenue Reduction Bill
in the House-Proposition to Fur
ther Cut the Tax on Beer.
sr.elal to the indianapolis Journal.

sreclal to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Dec. Ex-senator Hanna,
Joint author with Senator Frye of the
ship subsidy bill, addressed the Senate
for nearly three hours to-day. He held
the attention of his fellow-senators, Of
large number of representatives. who had
come across from the south wing Of the
Capitol expressly to hear him. and of
crowded galleries. 1t is universally con-
ceded that he made strong argument in
favor OF his ret legislative measure. yet 1t
Is doubtful whether he won vote for 1t.
So far as can be judged, he left the
matter where 1t was last night, with the
indications all pointing to the failure Of
the bill to reach q vote in the Senate this
winter. II IL does not do that, 1t is idle
10 speculate on its chances IN the House
They are admittedly doubtful, owing to
the position OF the middle West.
While he had spoken heretofore on the
floor Of the Senate. the effort of Sena-
tor Hanna to-day really was his first
formal speech to the body since he be-
came a member of 1t. Since coming to
the Senate Mr.. Hanna has devoted much
time and labor to the preparation of the
ship subsidy bill, and he is regarded
BY his colleagues as one Of the best-in-
formed public men the question, his
speech was given unusually close atten-
tfon. Senator's on both sides Of the cham
ber remained I'm their seats throughout the
delivery Of the address. He spoke with
cut manuscript. and his delivery at all
times was forcible and intense. At the con-
clusion OF the speech. he received the cor
dial congratulations of many of his col
leagues.
AN ANSWER TO-DAY.
The Senate convened at IL o'clock a. m,
In order to give Mr.. Hanna sufficient time
for his speech, which was, in a sense,
reply to that delivered few days ago
by Mr.. Clay. Like Mr.. Clay. Mr. Hanna
r. a member of the committee on COM
merce, from which the measure now pend
Ing was reported to the Senate. In OPEN
ing his address Mr. Hanna said the re-
marks Of Mr.. Clay had brought into ques-
tfon the motives OF these who had assist
cd In the preparation of the pending meas
ure. AS member of the maritime COM
mittee. as well as the committee on COM
merce, Mr.. Hanna said he felt 1t his
right and duty to explain the work OF those
u
'T resent the imputation that any other
motive than those OF interest in our coun-
try and good public policy aetuated the
committees"
Mr.. Clay interrupted Mr.. Hanna to dis
claim any such imputation.
Taking up the bill. Mr.. Hanna said the
PENDING measure was believed to be the
most practical legislation that could be
enacted on the subject. He then sketched
rapidly the rise of the shipping industry of
the great lakes. He had. he said, been
connected with that industry for nearly
forty years, and had seen Ii grow from
. comparatively Insignificant beginning to
Its present condition Of unparalleled great
ness. He recalled the time, nearly third
of a century ago. when the ship Escanaba
carried 600 tons OF iron ore from Escanaba
TO Cleveland. To-day, he said, there were
cleaners on the great lakes which were
carrying 5000 gross tons In ore cargo.
INDICTMENT NEEDED.
Mr. Hanna maintained that this great
shipping industry on the lakes had been
fostered and protected by salutary and
wise navis alton laws. To the advantage
OF these laws was attributed the liberal
appropriations made by Congress for the
improvements Of the harbors OF the great
lakes. Mr.. Hanna maintained that in or
der TO build I'D the American merchant
marine IT was necessary to have not only
capital and experience. but IL was neces-
sary. likewise. TO afford our foreign carry
ing trade protection-some kind OF induce
ment-by law. II this protection should
be AFFORDED. said Mr.. Hanna. the growth
OF tie American merchant marine would
be o. par with the growth of the ship
ping industry on the great lakes.
Discussing the rise and fall OF the Amer
lean merchant marine. Mr.. Hanna declared
that the beginning OF the decline In the
industry was coincident with the outbreak
of the civil war.
Mr.. Vest interrupted the Ohio senator
20 challenge his statement that the civil
war caused the decline of shipping. He
declared the decline had began as far back
as 1855
In response 10 Mr.. Vests challenge Mr..
Hanna reviewed the history OF the Amer
fcan merchant marine from the establish
ment OF the nation until the present time.
He maintained that the decadence in
American shipping had begun In 1850. and
not in 1856. as the Missouri senator had as
serted.
Mr.. Hanna said there was not to-day a
question important TO the maritime na-
tions CT the old world as the prevention
of American competition on the high seas
The foreign commerce OF the United States
is four times larger to-day than II was In
1sse and yet the proportion of the foreign
carrying trade Is now less than one-third
what II was in 1860. This, said he, Is a
v,..sf hunfIfafipo decline In a oraat 80
tional industry. He added: There is no
popular question which appeals so strongly
70 the American people as does this one