The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1901-01-18
OPPOSED TO SHIP SUBSIDY.
Objections % the Pisndsring scheme
which Cannot Ne Success
fully Met.

Some republican newspapers are
fond OF saying that democrats oppose
the Hanna ship subsidy scheme mere-
ly because it is a republican measure;
that Is TO say, that the opposition 10
partisan. and has nothing TO do with
the merits or dement's of the bill. This
contention Is well answered by the re-
port made by the minority members
Of the committee on merchant marine
and fisheries (Messrs. John r. Fitz-
gerald. Marion De Vries. Thomas
Spight and William ID. DAILY. demo.
crets) and submitted to the house on
May IL last. The amended title OF the
ship subsidy bill Is "A bill 10 promote
the commerce and increase the for
eign trade of the United States and
to provide for the national defense"
Worthy objects, surely, though some
what at variance with the high pro-
tectionist "home market" theory.
"With the expressed objects of the
BILL" says the democratic minority
report. 1.-The minority is in entire ac-
cord, but does not agree with the ma
jority as to the proposed remedies.
The last statistical abstract issued by
the treasury department shows that
the per capita imports varied but lit.
tie between 1868 and 1850 They were
1888 in 1865 and 5000 in 1899; they
have decreased in 81 years but 81 cents
per capita. Our exports. however,
show steady increase. In 1865 they
were 1920 and in 1899 S15.74 per capita.
The figures of 1899 were equaled only
in two years 1851 and 1898. The ex.
port trade Of the United States per
capita has therefore more than dou-
bled during the past 81 years. 1t may
be said that it is not the foreign
trade or commerce. but the transport
tation of that trade or the articles
with which IL has TO do, that needs
the special assistance of the govern
ment. But the statistical abstract OF
the treasury department shows that
the tonnage of steam vessels has i'm
creased since 1856 from 1893. AIS tons
TO 2.4.6,011 tons in 1899. The tonnage
is the greatest in the history Of the
United States" The democratic objec.
tons to the measure are summarized
as follows by Mr.. Fitzgerald and his
colleagues:
Il The objects professed in the title
are entirely forgotten in the body Of the
bill.
20 II is reasonably certain that the
most OF the subsidy would 90 70 lines
already established and prospc rous
g. Under this bill the ordinary freight
steamers. which carry so or 30 per cent
of our agricultural exports, viii get but
fraction of the amount of subsidy
which the passenger steamers would
receive. although the latter carry less
than ten per cent OF our agricultural ex-
ports.
"a Under this bill ship can run prac-
tically in ballast and draw subsidy. We
believe that when freight Is not prompt
ly offered II will pay certain class OF
ships to run empty rather than 10 wait
for cargo
zens to provide extra profits for ia
vored few in this favored industry
..6 The professions OF this bill are In
sincere and its principles are unsound
We believe that the best interests Of
this nation do not demand the passage OF
this or of any similar bill
These objections have never been
successfully met, nor is it possible &c
defend the bill against them. The
points raised in paragraphs numbered
?. ) and are particularly unaswer-
able. The opposition 10 the ship sub
sidy scheme is based upon the same
sound and honest principles which
have lain back of the resistance TO al
previous schemes TO fitch from the
many for the benefit Of few.-Alban!
Argus.