Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1902-03-14
WASHINGTON LETTER.


a sorry figure in the humanity role.
WASHINGTON LETTER.
(From our Regular Correspondent
Washington, March 10.-On Wed
nesday and Thursday of last week
Senator Alexander 8. Clay, of Geor
gia, presented in an able and compre
! hensive manner the democratic atti
tude toward the ship subsidy bill, but
the length of his speech precludes the
possibility OF giving even an epitOmt
in this letter. At my request, however
Senator Clay consented to make tn,
following brief statement for YOU
readers:
"My opposition to the measure, in
which am supported by the entire
democratic minority of the COMMITTEE
on Commerce, is based on the fact that
it will increase the expense of trans
porting the foreign mails from 81 $780,
600 to upwards of 100000 without
securing to the government any ade-
quate return. I desire to see the mail
service of the United States as perfect
as that of any country in the world,
but this bill does not provide for the
establishment of single new route,
nor for the construction of a single
new ship. By the provisions of the
bill this greatly increased sum will be
paid to the owners of ships already in
commission and sailing over routes now
established.
eff there is need of increased facili-
ties for transporting the mails why has
NJ a. n
ed before the Committee as an expert
witness, to indicate in what direction
the increased funds may be best ex-
pended?
''As to the simple subsidy provision
of the bill, there is no necessity for such
legislation. Our shipping trade is con-
stantly increasing. We retain, by
statute, all of the cOastwice trade for
our vessels and as. in the past that has
been the most profitable, it has alb
sorbed every increase in American
shipping, but there are now ample ves-
sells engaged in it and the attention of
American ship owners is naturally
turning to the foreign trade. Our
ship yards have orders exceeding their
utmost capacity. Our vast mineral
our improved methods of
production and the superior produc-
tivlty of the American labOrer and ar
5isan combined, more than counter
balance any difference there may exist
American and foreign wages, |
and without this unnecessary and eX-
legislation the American |
industry will, in the near fu-
lure, lead the world in its field as do |
American industries in other lines.
There is one important point, how
'ver, which should not be lost sight of.
The most serious detriment with which
he American ship owner has to con-
end is the fact that our tariff duties
OBJ him of so large share of the pro-
it's on the cargOes which be must nee
ssarlly carry on his return trips from
oreign waters. If our republican
riendly honestly desire to benefit
american ship owners, let them revise
he tariff and 80 modify or remove this
erious obstacle. The coatwise skip
or carries bis cargoes in both direc-
ions without let or hindrance by tar
T duties and his profits are eminent
: satisfactory. Taking a lesson from
lis, the majority can materially aid
1r foreign commerce and simultane-
usly benefit American consumers
ithout the expenditure of one penny
the funds In the United States Trea-
Try"
Senator Clay was followed on FRIDAY
? Senator Hanna, who, with sledee
ammer style of OratOry, reiterated all
10 republican sOphistries in regard to
rejection and claimed that because in
le past it had been the policy of the
to build up hot-house in
ustrles there must be no devitationt
ON that policy. The debate on tn ia
III will continue until the 18th, inst. {
hen a vote will be taken. Senator {
est will address the Senate on the
Inject soon, if bis health will permit.
The bill reported by the Senate Com c
lttee on Judiciary for the protection F
the President has also received some v
It is opposed by MANY
the democratic members on the Q
'ound that it is contrary to the con- t
tuition in that it is an extension Of Il
10 law against treason and is a VIOLA v
On OF the rights of the sovereign n
ates.
The week in the House has been de.
ted to the consideration of the rural o
ee delivery bill. The bill as reported n
1t only provides for the establish. d
ent on permanent basis of this form II
postal service but goes further and b
structs that the routes shall be car
ID by the lowest bidder. bids to be "
vertlsed for, etc. This clause is 3D. a
sed by many members of both par n
's and has been the occasion of pro- al
,ged debate. Mr.. Williams, of Mis- al
sippi, tells me that be is confident C
at the service can be carried on more til
uitably and economically on a con
yet basis. He further claims that the \
1ds appropriated for this purpose
IL reach farther if the contract sys M
q is employed. MIR. Swanson, of
rg1nia, is, on the other band, Strong M
to the innovation as be
RS the service will not prove as COM
,ent or as generally satisfactory az tic
uld be the case were salaried EN-. of
wees to carry the mails. The cues. DC
n came to vote today and was so 70,
ended as to obliterate the objection IN IN
Q features. tn,
he Republicans are as badly diyid-
as ever on the subject of Cuban Isa
lprOcity and there seems little likel1. a Z
ID of any immediate settlement of tna
question. The President has made az
lie statement to the effect that be ~ ~
not changed his position in the VA
htest degree and the House leaders
doing his bidding to the best of P