The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-12-09

philippines. How better. In this time of
anxious questioning and perplexed policy.
could we show our confidence in the prin-
ciples Of liberty, as the source as well
as the expression of life. how better could
we demonstrate our own self-possession
and steadfastness in the courses OF justice
and disinterestedness than by thus going
calmly forward TO fulfil our promises TO
"a dependent people, who Will now look
more anxiously than ever to see whether
we have indeed the lberality the unset
fishness, the courage. the faith we have
boosted and professed. | cannot believe
that the Senate will let this great peasure
OF constructive justice await the action
of another Congress. Its passage would
nobly crown the record or these TWO
years OF memorable labor.
But I think you will agree with me
thai this does not complete the toll OF
our duty. How are we to carry our
goods TO the empty markets OF which
I have spoken II We have not the shipsf
How are We to build up great trade
II we have not the certain and constant
means OF transportation upon which all
profitable and useful commerce depends?
And how are 10 get the ships II We
wait for the trade to develop without
them?
ITO correct the many mistakes by which
We have discouraged and all but destroyed
retrace tho steps by which we have. 1t
seems almost deliberately. withdrawn our
| flag from the seas. except where here
| and there a ship Of war is hidden carry
| II or some wandering yacht displays II.
would take long time and involve many
! detailed items of legislation. and the trade
which We ought Immediately 10 handle
would disappear or find other channels
| while we debated the items.
| The Old Hallway subsidies.
THE case is not unlike that which COM
| fronted us when our own continent Wa TO
| be opened up to settlement and industry.
and We needed long lines OF railway ex-
! tended means OF transportation prepared
! beforehand, II development was not TO lag
/ intolerably and wait interm!nahly We
lavishly subsidized the building OF trans
! continental railroads. We look back upon
| that with regret now. because the sub
sides led to many scandals OF which
we are ashan ed but We know that tho
railroads had TO be built. and II we had
II 10 do over again We should Of course
build them, but in another way.
! therefore ! propose another way OF
providing the means of transportation.
which must precede. not tardly follow.
the development OF our trade with our
neighbor States Of America. II may seem
reversal OF the natural order of things
but II is true. that the routes OF trade
must be actually opened-by many ships
and regular sailings and moderate charges
before streams Of merchandise will flow
freely and probably through them.
Hence the pending shipping bill, dis
cussed at the last session but as yet
passed by neither house. In my judgme n
such legislation Is inperativcly needed
and cannot wisely be postponed. The
Government must open these gates Of
trade, and open them wide, open them
hafn a.. nj
them or altogether reasonable to ash pri-
vate capital TO open them ut IA venture.
1T Is not a question OF the Government
monopoliz!ns the field. II should taks
action to make 1t certain that Transport
tat.on at reasonable rates will be prompt ~
provided. even where the carriage is no,
at first profitable and then, when the
carriage has become sufficiently proiita BILE
10 attract and engage private capital. and
engage II In abundance, the Government
ought 10 withdraw ! very earnestly hope
that the Congress will be OF this opinion
and that both houses will adopt this
exceedingly important bill.
Reminder for the senate.
THE great subject OF rural credits still
remains to be dealt with. and il is a
matter OF deep regret that the diincultie.
. Of the subject have seemed to render II
? impossible to complete bill for piissae.
at this session. But It cannot be per,
; fected yet and therefore there are nc
, other constructive measures tho necessity
, for which ! will at this time call youi
attention to but | would be negligent
, of very manifest duty were not {,
call the attention of the Senate to tn,
, fact that the proposed convention fo
4 safety at sea awaits It's confirmation anC
= that the limit nSed IN the convention
\ itself for It's acceptance IL tho last dal
4 of the present month
I The conference In which this con
Nention originated was called by III,
. United States. tho representatives, of tn,
= United states played very Influential
part indeed in framing the provisions %
the proposed convention and those pro
y visions are In themselves for the mos
part admirable. II would hardly be con
. sistent with the part We have played II
q tho whole matter to let II drop and e
: by the board az II forgotten and neglected
II was ratified In May last by the Ger
man Government and In August by IN,
i Parliament OF Great Britain. II mark
:, a most hopeful and decided advance II
international civilization. We shoul,
show our earnest good faith I'm grea
= matter by adding our own acceptanc
OF II.
: There Is another matter OF which
d must make special mention. II am I,
= ! discharge my conscience lest II shout,
. escape your attention. II may seem
n very small thing, 1t affects only a singl
r item of appropriation. Hut many humal
= lives and many great enterprises ham
I upon It II ia the matter Of maxim
. adequate provision for the survey an,
4 chartng OF our coasts II is immedlatel
pressing and exigent In connection wit
o tho immense coast line OF Alaska. "A coas
Y line greater than that OF the United State
= themselves though II is also very i'm
n portant indeed with regard to the olde
g coasts OF the continent
IVA our great Alaskan do