Arizona daily citizen., 1901-10-24
THE SHIP SUBSIDY STEAL.

Despite the fact that every day
brings additional evidence of the un-
popularity Of the Infamous ship sub
sidy steal there is now but little prob
ability OF the measure being dropped
On the contrary. the quiet determlna-
tion with which Senator Hanna has
set about to browbeat his party co
workers into submission to his scheme
OF plumber makes the passage OF the
bin all but assured. Nevertheless the
opponents of the robbery are becom-
ing more aggressive and can at least
patriotic drapery Last week oppo-
sition asserted itself with unusual en-
phasis. The national convention of
bridge and structural iron workers in
Boston denounced the scheme as de-
liberate robbery of the common peo-
pie in the interest of a favored few.
The National spinners' association
condemned it as a Legislative swlndle.
Organized labor is opposing it with un-
animty and can be depended upon to
resent its passage.
The most peculiar phase of the con-
troyersy is the fact that a large por-
tion Of the most bigoted Republican
papers are antagonizing it. Whether
or not this is due to a desire to keep
in touch with popular feeling it is i'm
possible to say. The fact remains
Some few politicians, who had the
manhood or the Cowardice to fight the
measure when first proposed on the
eve of national election. have since
bowed to party dictation and express
ed their willingness to share the
shame These men. unfortunately are
few and far between. The vast ma
jority of those who were originally
opposed to the outrage have remained
others who have since familiarized
themselves with the iniquities of the
plot have Joined the crusade. The
other day the Chicago Tribune ad
dressed to prominent editors through
ont the country the following ques-
tions;
WIN you kindly outline your views
OF the best way to build up a merchant
marine other than the subsidy scheme
as proposed last year?
Answers have been received from
eighteen editors. twelve of whom are
Republicans. two Democrats and four
independents. The four independents
oppose the subsidy both upon economic
and political grounds. Six OF the
twelve Republican editors denounce
the steal in unmistakable language +.
t.. Dustman of the Toledo Blade, tRep.)
says: XIII all subsidy bills. for they
are justly unpopular They are not
necessary In this enterprise" A. II.
Iowr.e of the Elgin News. (Rep) de-
clarcs it Wrong in principle and mis-
chievous in practice" Amos p. Wild
or of the Wisconsin State Journal
tRcpD replies. ITO grant millions to
great steamship lines or free gifts to
individuals will only add to the fame
of social and political unrest" Three
other Republican editors take the same
position The response of Henry Wat
terson sums up the Democratic view:
Repeal the discriminating navigation
laws, reduce the protective duties on
the commodities that enter into ship
building to a revenue basis, and turn
our sailors loose
1t is probable that these responses
are fairly representative OF popular
feeling. The Democrats and independ-
ents are opposed and only about half
OF the Republican party is in favor of
the measure. II the Republican gamb-
lers are determined to stake the partys
future upon this steal. they will surely
live to regret their rashness