Ben Harrison: “It should be known before new legislation is proposed whether the United States is under any treaty obligations which…”

I believe we have reached an epoch in our development when we may successfully begin the work of carrying our share of the world's commerce upon the seas.

That event is interesting in itself, but its interest to me is in the fact that this ship is the type and precursor of many others.

It gives me pleasure to consummate here to-day, by the act of lifting this flag, the efforts in support of a principle to which I give my hearty support.

But the most serious objection to the legislation is that it creates at once upon the taking effect of the law the offices of district attorney and marshal for each of the three districts, and the effect, it seems to me, must be to abolish…