Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1902-03-26
SHIP SUBSIDY VOTED.
HANNA-FRYE MEASURE PASSED
Rv THE SENATE.
Six Republicans, Including Allison,
Spooner, Doi1iver and Quarles, Vote
Against Bill, but Press No Unfriend-

BY vote of AZ to 81 the Senate Mon
day afternoon passed the ship subsidy bill
in an euied form. This majority of
IL would ordinarily be considered decis-
i've, but the vote was sensational and
significant because six of the best known
Republican Senators. coming from the
three Republican States of Wisconsin,
Iowa and Vermont, voted with the Dem
ocrats in opposition to the bill.
A surprising feature of the proceedings
was the adoption OF an amendment pro.
posed by Mr.. Hanna which in Que clause
apparently gives permission for ship
ping trust, and in another clause bars
from the subsidy all foreign built ships,
cutting out two of the American lines
present feet, the New York and the Phil
adelphia. This line was supposed to be
the special beneficiary under the ship bill.
The substantial accord of the four
Senators from Wisconsin and Iowa is
generally recognized as an indication
that rae delegations in the House from
these States also will be opposed to the
bill and this will mean its almost certain
defeat.
The six Republicans who raised their
voices against the measure were Senators
Allison, Spooner. Dolliver and Quarles
from the West, and Senators Proctor and
Dillingham; from Vermont. Other Repub-
hcans were dissatisfied with the bill, but
concluded to stand by the party, The
result is generally regarded as a great
personal victory for Senator Hanna. His
influence, and nothing else, carried the
measure through.
No unfriendly amendments were adopt
ed. and the bill is now substantially as its
friends drew il. II il fails to secure 5he
results desired. they cannot blame the OPP
position for meddling The important
amendments adopted were one by Sena
tor Allison limiting the postal subsidy
to S5,000,000 year for Ave years, and
after that to SS,o00.000 a year, and one
by Senator Spocner, which virtually
serves notice that the act may be repeal
ed at an early day.
An amendment offered by MIR. Hanna
and accepted after three divisions of the
| Senate. provides that while American cit
liens may acquire interest in foreign
steamship lines. no foreign-built ship 4:
TO share In subsidy or hereafter be admit
ted TO American registry. This was in
pont Morgan and other American hnan
ciers intended to purchase foreign ship:
and secure American registry for then
and share in the subsidies provided fol
| IN this bill. OF course. Congress may
change its mind and vote such registry
as one Congress cannot limit its success
sors.
How much this bill will cost the Unit
| ed States treasury in case il becomes 8
/ law no one knows. Some one has calcu
lated thgt the postal subsidy win run
well up TO the limits fixed by the Allison
amendment. or $4,000 900 year for th'
next five years. Ii has also been est
mated that the general subsidy part Of
the scheme viii not cost more than abouf
s1,000,000 year, but ii was noticed tina
the managers of the bill were unwilling
to have any limits put upon this expen
ditu-N The expenditure may. therefore
be reckoned at from $1,000, 900 to SO,
100000 year at the outset
Strangely enough. the Democrats ar
well pleased They count upon the sub
sidy bill. passed by Republican votes, a
one OF lheir strongest cards in the com
ing campaigns. This explains why h
Democrats did not put up a more siren
nous fight against it, as they did at III,
last session.
There is no prospect that the bill will
pass the House at this session. The atti
tude of the Iowa Senators indicates tina
Speaker Henderson's unfriendliness 4
the measure is well supported and likel!
TO continue at least til after the fal
elections.