Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-02-20

ducts abroad. The protection policy oc
the government has made these trusts
possible, and they, in turn, have our
stripped the world in quantity, qualify
spective lines. It is because of the steel
trust that we are now selling steel in
England, Germany, France and all
over the world. L. is because Of The
coal trust, that we are leading the
world in that commodity. Likewise 1t
is because of the oil trust that we have
no competitor in oil, and because Of va
rious other trusts that we lead in 9TH
er lines. All of these are heavy ship
pers. 1t would be no exaggeration to
say that financially the oil trust Is
stronger than any state in the union.
1t is possible that this single trust Is
financially as strong as the federal
government itself. Whether it is or
not, it is certain that all the trusts
combined are financially stronger than
the national government. These trusts
already own the best Of what there Is
of the present American marine; they
have it in their power to develop this
marine without limit 1t is to their
interest to do it; but they are not 60
ing to do it If they can get the govern
ment to do it for them. They are just
like the rest of us on that proposition.
If it were certain that they could not
be made to build up a merchant ma
rine under any circumstances, then 1t
would be sensible for the government
to grant the proposed subsidy notwith-
standing the benefits that would accrue
to the trusts. But there Is another
very important side to this question.
The managers of the trusts all realize
they have too much sense not to-that
however severely the people Of the
whole country would feel a European
marine combination against American
commerce, they themselves would be
the first and heaviest losers. We be-
lieve, therefore, that If the government
fails to grant this subsidy, as will
probably be the case, then the trusts
will Immediately go to work as pre-
caution Of self defense and build up a
monster marine for themselves.
So much for the practical merits of
the question, and then back to the fight
between Tillman and McLaurin. The
point has been made, and it is correct,
that Senator Tillman voted for and
worked for the government subsidy for
the Southern railroads fast mail train
from New York to New Orleans. AS
to whether this was necessary we do
not know. We say unhesitatingly that
the practical value and convenience to
the people Of the North and South Is
great enough to warrant liberal assist
ance from the government, If necessa-
ry. The Southern railroad represented
to the government that the ordinary
passenger traffic that it was possible
to secure for this train, together with
the ordinary department rates for car
rying the mail, were not sufficient to
warrant profit. That was the ground
upon which the subsidy was granted.
|
carry more passengers than any other
trains the Southern runs, and If 1t gets
profit out Of any Of it's trains, it GER
tainly ought to get it from these. But
this is not the point. The Southern
railroad has home councillors that
ought to be entitled to all the consid-
Grafton from the government 1t gets.
For the government to subsidize the
Southern and not subsidize the Sea-
board, looks like unfair discrimination.
The ship subsidy proposition is directed
against foreign competitors only, and
is much more defensible as a matter Of
principle. If the subsidizing of ship
ping is undemocratic, then so also is
the subsidizing of a railroad, and for
Senator Tillman, occupying the position
he does, to try to- make fight against
Senator McLaurin along the line indi-
Gated certainly does not reflect credit
on Senator Tillman.
But after all, we are glad that this
fight came up as it did. and that 1t
turned out in the legislature as it has.
The politicians of the South have long
been noted for their narrow selfishness
and lack of practical business sense.
We believe however, that the people
Of the South, and especially Of South
Carolina, are developing rapidly along
practical business lines, and object les
sons like this little fight in the legisla-
ture have their educational value.
There is reason to hope that in time,
the people Of this state will realize
that, after all, the government is only
a big business institution to be con-
Quoted in a practical business-like
manner. When the people begin to
realize this, selfish, egotistical polite
ians will be eliminated, and their
places will be filled with men who are
known to be possessed Of honesty, sim
cerity, patriotism and practical busi-
ness sense.
NOTES FROM BALLOON.