Question: Resolved, That the Senate shipping bill [S. 3738] ought to have passed.

Brief for the affirmative:

L. K. MORSE and L. H. ROOTS.

Best general references: Cong. Record, Farquhar's speech, Dec. 19, 1890, pp. 631-639; Dingley's speech, Jan. 11, 1891, pp. 1147-1155; Provision of the bill in Cong. Rec., Vol. 21, p. 4175. Report on Merchant Marine and Subsidies, House Rep. No. 1210, 51 Cong., 1 Sess.

I. Our Merchant Marine is very weak, and ought to be built up: Cong. Rec., Feb. 27, 1891, pp. 3523-3525; Feb. 28, 1891, p. 3654; Dec. 19, 1890, pp. 633-634; American Almanac, 1889, pp. 315-16.

II. A system of subsidies is necessary to develop our Marine. [a] a usual system; [b] especially necessary in cases of established and subsidized competition. Cong. Record, Jan. 11, 1891, p. 1153; Feb. 27, 1891, p. 3519-3521, 3527-3533; English policy, Feb. 28, 1891, p. 3654; testimony of Commissioner of Navigation in report on Merchant Marine, pp. 220-261; 451-491.

III. The bill is needed to develop a Merchant Marine available for war and transport purposes: Cong. Rec., Dingley's speech, 1153; Kerr's speech, p. 3650; Sanford's speech, 3653; Report on Merchant Marine, pp. 362-382.

IV. The expense would be more than repaid by the relief and assistance it would give to the navy; [a] hundreds of ships available for our navy would be added to our Merchant Marine; [b] at a cost of only 2 to 7 million dollars annually: Cong. Rec., Jan. 11, 1891, pp. 1153-4; Dec. 19, 1890, p. 639; Feb. 28, 1891, pp. 3854-55. Report on Merchant Marine, p. 347.

Brief for the negative:

C. R. DETRICK and J. M. MORTON, JR.

Best general references: Cong. Record of Feb. 26th and 27th, 1891, Speeches of Hopkins, pp. 3544; Candler, pp. 3550; Lane, pp. 3559; Ellis, pp. 3563; Springer, pp. 3566; Andrews, pp. 3641; Dockery, pp. 1066-1072. Wells' Our Merchant Marine; Reform Club's Pamphlets, No. VI by D. A. Wells, and No. VII by John Codman; No. Am. Rev. Dec. '77, pp. 544; Fawcett, Free Trade and Protection pp. 18 etseq.

I. Subsidies are economically objectionable. [a] Merely temporizing, pamphlet No. VI as above, pp. 25 and 26; Our Merchant Marine, 136-139. [b] Unbusiness like, Candler's Speech, Cong. Record, pp. 3550; Our Merchant Marine. pp. 140-142; pamphlet No. VI, pp. 26 et seq. [c] Unsuccessful, Ellis' Speech, Cong. Record, p. 3564; pamphlet No. VI, pp. 27-29, 39-43; Our Merchant Marine, pp, 138-140, 160-165, 113-115.

II. Subsidies are politically objectionable. [a] They are class legislation and encourage a lobby, Nation XLIX, pp. 285, Oct. 10, 1889; Cong. Record of '69-'70, part V, pp. 3860, Codman pamphlet VII as above pp. 21 et seq. [b] Establish a bad precedent, Lane's Speech, Cong. Becord, pp. 3561; Codman, Shipping and Subsidies, 1 et seq.

III. The Senate Bill is objectionable. [a] Confused and complicated, Candler, Cong. Record, pp. 3551. [b] Bounty fixed by maximum speed, Springer, Cong. Recod, pp. 3566. [c] Perpetuates wooden vessels. [d] Appropriates a recklessly large amount.

IV. American shipping would be better restored by free ships, Our Merchant Marine, 95-128; No. Am. Rev. vol. 142, pp. 481-484; Atlan. Mo. LIII, 800; Codman, pamphlets 2 and 4. [a] American shipping declined from natural causes, Wells, pamphlet No. VI, pp. 2-6; Kelly, Question of ships; Every Saturday, X, 170. [b] Conditions of modern commerce require free ships, Candler's Speech, Cong. Record, pp. 3551. [c] Our present laws encourage ship-building, not shipping, Codman, Shipping and Subsidies, 2-7; No. Am. Rev. Dec. 77; Ellis' Speech, Cong. Record, pp. 3565 and 3566.