Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-05-21


thousands. American tariffs from
Plymouth Rock to Mckinley and Ding
ley" was notable speech in that line
One of the Finance Committee that
dissented strongly from the recent
Underwood Simmons bill, Senator CAL
linger never doubted that the leglsla-
ton would bring industrial disaster.
His words about the bill, shortly be-
fore it became law, are proving pro-
phetic.
"a Democratic President, Demo-
cratic Congress and Democratic eau
Gus" said he, have ordained that the
bill shall become law, and While 1t
does not represent the honest conVlc-
lions of a ajority of the American
people it is to be forced upon the
country by the representatives OF
political party that has always stood
in opposition to the protective DOC
trines of the Republican party.
The triumph will be complete, but
il will be short lived and those OF
us who contemplate with sollcitude the
result of the legislation can md COM
fort and satisfaction in the BELIEF that
the Government will soon again De
placed in the hands of the party OF
protection, and that this statute VIII
in due time be superseded by. law
that will adequately protect our people
from the cheap labor of European anu
Asiatic countries"
Senator Gallinger has long been an
earnest and influential advocate or
legislation that would rehabilitate the
American Merchant Marine. Pro-
foundry impressed with the decadence
of our shipping on the oceans OF the
world he took up the work in con-
junction with the late Senator FRYE
of Maine. sparing neither time nor eff
fort to bring about better coholtioh
of things. In April, 1904 an act was
passed creating the Merchant Marine
Commission to be composed OF nVe
Senators and five members or the
House of Representatives. BY virtue
of the fact that he was chairman Oh
the committee on commerce the late
Senator Frye would naturally nave
been made chairman of the commiS-
sion, but he declined to be considered
and recommended Senator Galllnger
for the Craftsmanship. The members
of the commission on the part of the
Senate were Senators Gallinger OF
New Hampshires Lodge of Massachu-
setts. Penrose of Pennsylvania, Mar
tin of Virginia, and Mallory Of Flor
ida, and on the part OF the House OF
Representatives Messrs Grosvenor or
Ohio. Minor of Wisconsin, Humphreys
of Washington, Spight OF MISSISSIPPI
and McDermott of New Jersey. Inc
work was taken up with great ear
nestness, the commission holding hear
ings in every important city on the
continent, including Seattle, Portland,
Oregon. and San Francisco on the Pa
cific coast The material accumulated
makes a fund of valuable information
comprised in three large volumes,
which in these days of agitation as
to our rights in the Panama Canal
may we'll be read with profit by every
citizen of the country. While the bills
that were presented to Congress in ac-
cordance with the recommendations of
the commission were defeated by the
Democratic party aided by few Re-
nublicans from the Middle West, the
facts developed and the arguments adj
vanced will doubtless be used as
foundation for future legislation when
become fully aroused to the necessity
for remedying the deplorable condi-
ton that exists in relation to our
shipping engaged in the foreign trade.
During the consideration of the bills
Senator Gallinger made three extensive
speeches, and for several days con-
Quoted a running debate that elected
from his colleagues praise of the
highest order.
Senator Gallinger was prompt in his
opposition to repeal of the canal tolls
exemption. There was no hesitation
on his part as to the proper course.
He and Senator Burleigh Of Maine
found themselves in complete accord
on that question, before many Sena-
tors had begun to consider it at all
thoroughly. Mr. Gallinger has been
a vigorous leader against the Presi-
dents bill and has done his very best
to defeat it.
Does any one pretend to argue"
said he in a recent speech, that il
Great Britain had, at her own expense,
built a canal on her own territory,
costing S400.000,O00, she would be i'm
posing tolls on her own coastwise
ships passing through it? I do not
believe anybody seriously entertains
that view.
Il feel confident that the American
people will never be willing to sur
render a principle. which lies at the
very foundation of our government. at
the behest of any other nation of the
earth. that Of controlling our own
property and our own affairs in our
own way"
Few men have been identified with
more great questions that have been
LII Ii.