The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1901-12-12
of marked benefit to us.

or marked Deneut 70 US.
1t is most Important that we should
maintain the high level of our present
prosperity. We have now reached the
point IN the development OF our In
terests where we are not only able to
supply our own markets, but to pro-
duce q constantly growing surplus for
which we must find markets abroad.
To secure these markets we can util-
re existing duties In any case where
they are no longer needed for the pur-
posz Of protection. or In any case
where the article is not produced here
and the duty 10 no longer necessary
for revenue, ns giving US something to
Offer In exchange for what we ask.
The cordial relations with other ma
tions which are so desirable will nat
uraIiy be promoted by the course thus
required by our own interests.
The natural line Of development for a
policy OF reciprocity will be In connec-
ton with those Of our productions
which no longer require all Of the sup
port once needed to establish them
upon a sound basis and with those 9TH
ers where either because OF natural or
Of economic causes we are beyond the
reach of successful competition.
ask the attention of the senate to
the reciprocity treaties laid before 1t by
nay predecessor.
The Merchant Marine.
q. The condition of the American mer-
chant marine Is such as TO call for i'm
mediate remedial action by the con-
gress. II is dscredltable to us as a
nation that our merchant marine
should be utterly insignificant In COM
parison to that Of other nations which
we overtop In other forms Of business.
We should not longer submit to condi-
tons under which only tritling por-
ton Of our great commerce Is carried
in our own ships. To romedy this state
OF things would not merely serve to
build up our shipping interests, but 1t
would Also result In benefit to all who
are Interested in the permanent estab-
ashment OF wider market for Amer
loan products aud would provide an
auxiliary forcr FOR the navy Ships
work for their own countries Just as
railroads work for their terminal
points. Shipping lines, II established to
the principal countries with which we
have dealings, would be OF political as
wei1 as commercial benefit. From ev-
cry standpoint 1t IL unwlse for the
United States to continue to rely upon
, the ships of competing nations for the
distribution of our goods. 1t should be
made advantageous to carry American
goods In American built ships.
At present American shipping is un-
der certain great disadvantages when
put In competition with the shipping
Of foreign countries. Many of the fast
foreign steamships. at speed of four
teen knots or above. are subsidized,
and all our ships. sailing vessels and
steamers alike. cargo carriers Of slow
speed and mall carriers Of high speed,
have TO meet the fact that the original
cost OF hnilaing American ships Is
greater than Ia the case abroad; that the
wages paid American officers and sea
men ara very much higher than those
paid the officers and seamen OF foreign
csmpetin9 countries. and tina: the
etapdard Of living en- our ships is far
Gnparior to the standard of living on
the ships Of our commercial rivals. Our
government should take such action us
Vill remedy these inequalities. The
American merchant marine should be
restored to the ocean.
Financial.
Fhe passage OF the act establishing
sold rs tho standard money has. 1t 10
declared. been shown TO be timely and
JBdicIous. The president adds:
Ia many respects the national bank
Ing law furnishes sufficient liberty for
the proper exercise OF the banking
faAGtien. but there seems to be need
OF better safeguards against the de-
ranging Influence OF commercial crises
and financial panica- Moreover, the
currency Of the country should be
g,Ads responsive TO the demands OF our
domestic sEads aad commerce.