The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1902-01-03
OUR MARINE
gompIcte Development of ocean
Trade Humpered by nimicai
Legislation.

~ II q
ident Roosevelt did not in his message
enter more fully into the question OF
.ship subsidies and a. least have
given some suggestion as to the best
method of building up Il merchant
marine" More of the message could
have been most probably employed
had President Roosevelt entered intoa
historical detail, which, while il would,
perhaps, trenched ON the pet theory
of the policy of the republican party
would have solved the reason why the
commercial marine of the United
States is now in a dwarfed condition.
1t was not always so. Within 40 years
the commercial marine of the United
States was not only the pride of this
country, but was the envy of all peo-
pies who, in 1856, sent their Hardy
sailors to all lands in a commercial
marine. President Roosevelt In that
decade had not made his infant ar
rival, and consequently it was not pos
sible for him 10 have personal eNpe-
r%ience, as had other, but not better,
statesmen, who had been born in the
earlier decades of the nineteenth CEN
fury.
However, President Roosevelt has,
no doubt, thoroughly investigated the
causes which gave to our country Its
remarkable success in the construc-
ton of a commercial marine during
the fourth and fifth decades of the
century which closed year ago. lie
is familiar with the fact that between
the year 1916 and 1851 the barks, brig
antines, clipper ships, stout three
masters, with spars crowded with can
vas, visited all waters, and bore the
flag of our country TO the view of the
peoples of all lands. These fleets were
not subsidized. They were not built
in foreign shipyards. They possessed
no advantages over the fleets of other
countries, except the skill of our ship
builders and the exceeding cheapness
of the material used in the construc-
ton Of our then commercial navy.
Every important city on our coast
lines had well appointed shipyards.
The din of the industry filled the air
with the Sound of hammers closing
rivets up"
To n very large degree this active
and profitable industry is among "the
things that were" Would il not be an
exhibition of wisdom if President
Roosevelt were to make diligent in
ouiry into the causes which have
brought this sad change about? II is
believed hat the president is n wise
and courageous man-that no fetch
spirit inhabits his mental and physical
make-up-that he is able and is com.
petent to sound the depths in which
the merchant marine lies buried. and
that he has the courage TO set forth
the causes and the means used in the
destruction of the ships which visited
all seas. and carried the benign in
fuence to all the people Of the eartf
that there existed a land known as
the United States. where all people
enjoyed liberty, and were untram'
meled by restriction laws, says the
Cincinnati Enquirer.
Probably no man knows more fully
than does President Roosevelt the rea
son which caused the decay Of Amer
lean shipping. Let him courageousll
set forth his opinions. Let him explair
TO the people the character and effec
of the operation of the navigation
laws Let him seize every opportun
fly which has never, in the history o
our country. been given TO its chic
ruler. Let him meet this opportunit,
fully and courageously.
The trade Of this country, notwith
standing the inimical influence which
legislation has conceived 10 hamper
complete development of it. is larger
more prosperous and more p%rofitabl
than ever in its history. why shoul
not the president aid 70 enlarge il
WHY should he not recommend tina
all barriers shall be removed? VIII
should not the president lessen tn
burdens Of indirect taxation. whic
goes to the benefit Of n few men, an
which is really paid to them by TIL
people who furnish every unc o
freight which is sent from our ports
and nine-tenths of which is carried !
foreign bottoms. Is not the nation;
treasury overlooking with none
raised from indirect taxation?
Are the people not paying million
of dollars by the nonuse of their ma
ural materials? Is the commerci;
freight undesired by American shi
owners? Can President Roosevelt r,
inaugurate the shipbuilding industr
without bribing the shipowners, an
impose a fresh robbery on the people
The administration will have
busy time If It undertakes to put "
gag law upon all who side with Dcvc
+, against Long or to suppress any fu
ther discussion Of the naval infamy.
gallant hero, a victorious commando
has been cruelty and shameful
wronged and the whole country r
: sents the injury and will not rest quiz
until the wrong has been in some we
, righted. Mr.. Roosevelt has not bee
! long enough in office TO s%ubordina'
Ais instincts as a brave and hone
gentleman to the supposed requir