New-York tribune., 1901-01-24
VoI. LX....No. 1878.
SHIPPING BILL OUTLOOK.
MEASURE IN MORE FAVORABLE POSI-
ToN-sENAToR VEST ATTACKS sYs-
TEN OF TONNAGE BOUNTIES.
TBY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBuNE. ]


,-gunnent in the Senate to-day against the Frye
cbin Subsidy bill, all the signs indicate that
.bat measure is in more favorable position to-
ssv than 1t has been in at any time since the
onposition to it became assertive
senator Vest. who has been in extremely
faeble health for two or three years, appeared in
his old time mental vigor to-day, when he stood
unou his feet for nearly four hours pleading for
free ships. He listened to with marked at
.entton by every member in the chamber and by
crowded galleries, and frequently inter
rupted with questions by Mr.. Hanna Had the
Missourian's physical strength permitted he
doubtless would have made an even longer
argument against the bin than that which he
presented this afternoon.
There is good reason to believe that Senator
Vests speech is the last Of the long set argu-
ments that viii be made against the Frye bill.
II is reported upon excellent authority that
Mr. Pettigrew finally has decided not to attempt
IN defeat the bin by filibustering- Indeed, the
understanding is that Nj Pettigrew has been
nartiaIIy placated by the promise Of certain
concessions in the original measure, which viii
sufficiently conform It to his contention, so as
IN relieve him Of the necessity which he has
felt pressing upon himself 10 defeat single
handed and alone all shipping legislation at this
session.
II is probable that Mr.. Petrigrew will make
formal announcement Of this interesting fact
IN some shape before debate the Frye bill
proceeds much further. IF he abandons his fill
brstering programme there is scarcely any like
ubood that his plan Of obstruction Will be car
ried out by anybody else. Mr.. Clay. Of Georgia
who already has made one long speech against
the bill told The Tribune correspondent to-day
that he did not know whether he would present
further obstruction.
The amendments informally agreed on last
Friday by the Republican managers have not
vet been acted upon in the Committee on Com
merce, and until they are reported no great
energy Will be shown in pushing the considera-
ton Of the measure. 1t is now hoped by the
friends Of the bill that Mr. Frye will be able TO
take active charge Of 1t on the floor Of the
Senate In that case the bills parliamentary
fortunes will undergo a decided Improvement
COMMITTEE OF PROMOTION.
Mr.. Vest. in addressing the Senate in opposi-
ton TO the measure and in favor Of free ships
said that the pending measure came before the
Senate ostensibly from the Committee on Com
merce, but had come really from committee
on promotion" composed OF twenty-five proIni-
nent and intelligent men, appointed by the
Junior Senator from Maine. Mr.. Frye. He
added:
The chairman OF this committee Of promo
tlOn is Clement A NIlSCDil, lANS4NSiAh VI hilO
international Navigation Company, a man or
high character, Of great intelligence and of inde-
fatgabe energy The company winch he repre-
sents is by far the largest beneficiary under the
bill I must express my surprise and regret
that not one member of that committee Of pro
motion is in favor Of an American puylng ms
ships where he can buy them cheapest and
then sailing them under the flag Of his country.
In other words, to use the language OF the
Senator from Maine. Mr.. Frye, ''the members
Of that committee are unanimously in favor or
the obsolete, Infamous and outrageous naviga-
ton laws Of the United States, which are a
stain on the statutes Of the United States and
which for fifty years have been riding 10 death
the merchant marine Of this country as the Ola
Man Of the Sea rode TO exhaustion sindbad
the Sailor"
M Vest referred TO the advocacy Of the meas
ure by Eugene Chamberlain, the present Com
missioner Of Navigation, who, he said. had been
APPOINTED 10 his present Office by Mr.. Cleve-
land and had signalized the assumption Of his
duties by his advocacy Of free ships. He de-
clared that Mr. Chamberlain had seen the
smoke drifting toward the Republican camp and
had drifted with st." Now. he said. Mr.. Cham
berlain was in favor of the subsidy legislation,
and had said that for S5000OOO or S6,o00OoO,
scientifically administered, the American mer-
chant marine could be made second to none ex-
cept Great Britain's in the world. He intimated
that this was the opinion of a man who only
drifted with the current.
Mr.. Hanna In his speech in support OF the pres
ent BILL that the decline Of the merchant marine
had begun with the outbreak Of the Civil War.
Adverting TO the control OF the seas by Great
Britain, Mr.. Vest said that when he visited
Hamburg few years ago he saw in the harbor
l52 ships flying the British flag and not single
one carrying the Stars and Stripes England,
he said. had been wise enough TO do what this
country in its stolidity and stupidity, had failed
10 do. She had maintained her supremacy on
the ocean by purchasing her fast clipper ships
from the United States. Continuing, Mr.. Vest
said that our merchant marine had continued to
decline since 1853. Germany, too. had suffered
from British competition. until the people Of
that empire had begun TO purchase their ships
from Great Britain
RELIC OF BARBARISM.
Mr.. Vest said he took no stock in the dramatic
prophecies of Afessrs. Frye and Hanna that in
case Of war between any two Of the great
Powers our merchant marine would he de-
stroyed II free ships were allowed. He declared
that the navigation laws were relic Of bar
barism; but" he said, they never win be re-
pealed so long as New-England dominates the
politics and policies of this country
Has there not in the Senator's time been
time when the Democratic party could have re-
pealed these laws?' asked Mr.. Hanna.
''Neveri never, never!" replied Mr.. Vest, with
great earnestness.
rs II not true that in that time the Demo-
cratic party has had both the Executive and
Congress at once?" Mr.. Hanna then asked. and
Mr.. Vest replied that it So but that the
Coast Democrats had voted with the Republi-
cans. They were dominated by local inter-