Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-10-26

and gold. It was because we bought
more from them than they bought from
US; and along about 1890 to 1898, 1t
looked as If our noses had been bound
to the European grindstone forever.
During the period mentioned, the coun-
try economical as it had never econo-
mized before, began to produce various
kinds Of commodities more cheaply
than the Europeans could produce
them. sold more goods in Europe than
Europe sold here and turned the bal
ance Of trade in our favor. Gold and
securities which had previously been
going the other way, started back
again, bringing with them the most
widespread prosperity the country has
ever known. Whatever may have been
the dogmas of the leading economists
previous to this period, 1t seems that in
view Of the facts that have been so re-
Gently transpiring under the observa-
ton Of all Of us, they ought to be will
ing to lay down some new conclusions
It is true that 1--WE need not care where
we pay our freight money or to whence
we pay the bonus Of subsidy, just sc
we are sure that we are benefited" but
If we want to be sure of being benefit
ted we had better pay it to our OWL
people.
Will we get cheaper freight rates?
1t will not require pound less coal to
carry a bale Of cotton, a bushel OF
wheat or a kit Of Goldfish" under the
American flag than under the British
flag. AS a matter Of fact 1t takes more
wages to carry under the American flag
than under the British flag, which
amounts to the same thing; but we will
not discuss that phase Of the question
at this time. Our exports and imports
for last year amounted to about 100000
900 tons, and the freight bill was ap-
proximately $2O0,O0O,O00. OF this
amount ships carrying the American
flag received less than 10 per cent. For.
eign ships carried the balance, and II
was a large proportion Of their entire
business. Suppose, as the result of the
proposed subsidy, there should be a
material increase in the number Of
American ships bidding for this freight
how would the foreigners be affected
Is it not reasonable to assume that they
would begin to cut prices? We think
so, and If the cut should amount to on
ly 5 per cent. it would more than pay
the subsidy provided in the pending
bill.
Not being able to agree with so court
eous a correspondent in any Of his
propositions is a source of positive re.
gret to us; but still. we find ourselves
bound to hold that the shot Ito the ben
eft to be derived from transports In
time of war;" is not so long as is sug-
gested. OF course, the subsidy is not
asked for on this sole ground. 1t viii
be remembered, however, that we were
greatly hampered for lack of trans,
ports in getting our troops to Cuba
and we came very near needing at San
tiago the thousands Of soldiers who. on
this account, had to be left at Tampa
This, too, was in a war Of our own
making, not precipitated until our
chosen time, and after we had pur-
chased all the warships and transports
that were for sale. But this Is not the
only phase Of the question. Our cor
respondent surely remembers the sharp
advance that was caused in ocean
freight rates as the result Of Great
Britain's use Of her transports in TAX
ing troops to South Africa. We will
be subject to the same or even worse
inconvenience upon the breaking out OF
war in Europe.
We shall not attempt to dispute
that England's great fleets had their
origin in fear Of invasion and desire OF
self-preservation. Such is the fact
The war ships, however, fostered the
merchant ships and the merchant ships
helped to make England the richest
country on earth. There Is no proba-
bility that greatness will ever be forced
upon us by our necessities as was the
case with England; but If we aspire to
still nSre enviable eminence than Eng
land has ever attained, why should
we wait to be forced when the road by
which we are to go Is so plainly mark
ed and easy to travel?