The semi-weekly messenger., 1900-12-18

tons OF 1902 with a better record than
they win make by voting for meas
ure which contempaates taxing the
many, who have little money, for the
benefit of a few who have much" We
say that such talk as this Is helpful
and hopeful Let the democrats as one
man oppose firmly the effort OF the
wicked schemers to add to the already
very great burdens and expressions.
In the senate an able speech
against It was made on the 11th
by senator Clay. Of Georgia. Among
other noticeable things said was this:
"One mans business Is to be heavi-
ly taxed in order to advance and TO
make more profitable the private busi-
ness of another citizen
Again. he said that an analysis
Of the bin would demonstrate thai
the ship owners alone are the bene-
ficiaries of this legislation. He de-
MED emphatcally that the proposed
law would be of greater benefit to the
agricultural interests Of the country
than it would be to the shipbuilding
and shipowning states. Senator Clay
maintained that the bill as formulat-
ed by the committee would not tend to
increase the merchant marine of the
United States. He said that the pro-
motion of commerce and the increas-
ing of foreign trade of the United
States, two of the most important OBJ
jects of the pending measure (ship-
subsidy biID would not follow its en-
actment." He said the fast vessels
which We're for passengers and car
ried but little freight would receive
the bulk of the subsidy" All this IS
no doubt we'll based upon facts that
will stand unnloved. He further
more said that these schemers ARE not
seeking opportunity to build ships.
but they are trying to secure legisla-
tion that will enable them to go in the
public treasury and draw SO, 600, 900 an
nually to divide among themselves. If
those who favor this legislation are
acting in good faith why did they not
provide that the subsidy shall be paid
to those who will build ships here
after" The speech was clear and
PORTED and will be sure ito open more
the eyes of the country if not the
closed eyes of the plotters against the
people.
1t is a noticeable fact that all of the
amendments recently adopted in The
congress by the committe in charge cf
tn ebill of infamy. are strictly in the
interest of a certain fewer class of ship |
builders. 1t is very certain that if the |
bin passes as now drawn il will fail |
to accomplish the end its advoc1tels
avow to be the one sought-to wit. TO |
enlarge the country's now great COM |
mrce. and to actualQy increase The ma |
rine service of this country. The for |
eign trade of the United States is now |
and has been for some two years quite |
unprecedented. 1t is enormous. and |
without subsidy bills to favor certain |
interested fellows for their own per-
sonal enrichment. The Philadelphia |
Times forcefully urges the following: |
I'm spite of the fact that Amricdn
and the products of |
American mines have been protected
to the point of excluding foreign pro-
ducts of a similar nature and the erec-
ton of as high a barrier against for
eign trade as it was possible ito raise.
the abundance and excellence of Amer
lean products have created a constant
ly growing demand for them, and in
face of this it DIS now proposed to spend
millions from the public TREASURY to
subsidize the ships of a few transpor-
tahion corporations ON the plea of in
creasing a commerce which is increas-
ing by the hundreds of millions an
nually from natural causes.