The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1902-03-20
GIFT TO SHIPOWNERS
So Declares Spooner In Discussing
the Subsidy Bill.
DEMOCRATS MINORITY REPORT
Difference Of Opinion Regarding the
Measure Appear in Senate Dur
ing Debates-Some
Quotations.

Senator Berry, representing the NIL
nority of the Senate committee on
commerce at Saturdays session, pre-
sented their report in opposition to
the pending ship subsidy bill. Most
of the points have been covered IN
speeches in the senate. The minority
deny the accuracy of both the predic-
tions and the facts in the majority re-
port.
They urge that the bill is wrong in
principle, and declare that it will ut
terly fail in its accomplishment of its
professed objects. They also say
while it is not so complicated as the
ship subsidy bill of the ffty-sixth con-
gress, it is in some respects even
more Objectionable. The minority re-
port continues:
"The bill proposes to tax the whole
people to the extent of several mil
lion dollars for the benefit of one SIN
gle industry. Besides, the statistics
Of the last two years prove that ship
building industry does not need such
special assistance, but is rapidly in
creasing under natural conditions
They criticise the feature Of the
bill which carries the subsidy for for
eisu mails.
They further urge that the bill
makes no provision against shipping
trust and claim it encourages COM
biuation leading to such trust. They
alsh say:
"The lines might also merge with
foreign lines to control freight and
passenger rates. Thereby our sub
sidy would be aiding the foreign part
ners of our subsidy vessels"
The report closes by saying:
Eve know that there are hundreds
and thousands of industries in our
country doing a losing business, but
We :eny that congress for this reason
can go into the public treasury and
savo them from bankruptcy. We
sympathize with all men in the hard
struggles Of life, but it is not the duty
Of our government to interfere in the
private business affairs of the citizen.
We believe that all men should have
en- equal and fair chance in the race
lor wealth and happiness-every citi-
zen should bear his share OF the bur-
dens of the government, one class
should never be the recipient of ben
etts not given to others. Absolute
equality of rights is a doctrine we
snculd never abandon. The bill is
wrong in principle, unjust, vicious,
pure class legislation"
Republicans Differ.
Differences of opinion on the repub-
lican side appeared in the senate de-
bate on the subsidy bill Saturday.
Mr.. Allison, of Iowa, indicated that
he was not quite satisfied with the
measure as it stands now, and gave
notice of amendments he proposed to
offer to it limiting the time OF its op-
GRAFTON and limiting also the amount
o; money annually to be paid from the
treasury on account of it.
He was followed by Mr.. Spooner, OF
WISCONSIN, who took exception to
some propositions of the measure.
He was not at all centain that the bill
would accomplish the great results
which it's advocates claimed for it, and
he urged that before its enactment
irto law, definite. information upon
tLat point ought to be furnished to
congress.
The OILY thing absolutely certain
about the measure, declared Mr.
Spooner,, was that ships now in ex
is;ence would receive large amount
Of money until the subsidy was repeal
ed.
"In my opinion" said he, ''that sub
sidy is gift
Mr.. Bacon, of Georgia, gave notice
of an amendment which he proposes
to offer to the subsidy bill providing
that no contract under the bill shall
be binding upon the government unit
it should have been approved by con
gress.