The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-02-19

government and the death of the fishing business must be
lingering by the force of circumstances but certain
the rising and setting OF the And my for
tcpang this contingent result fair, think fishing
vessel of ninety tons register under the bounty law gets
$780, which is the maximum allowance 10 any vessel
have already stated that the fishermen themselves in
many instances get up their copartnershp arrangement
Tor building vessel The allowance OF bounty will pay
more than per investment of 00O which
more than such vessel costs by from thousand 10
fifteen hundred dollars and if fisherman desires to take
part he has in addition to his individual allowance of the
bounty proportion Of that which goes to the owners
and with II he pay interest the amount of cost of
part of vessel Under this arrangement he can perhaps
borrow an amount Of money ny paying interest and by
such vessel while he proceed his voyages until by
prudence he may get his part clear Although fishing
community safe one to trust simply becauqe the peo-
peare trained to habits of economy still the business Of
such community IS always perplexng well intri-
cate IN It's character and new communities will not touch
it. The bounty Is all Of certainty that awaits the efforts
of the fisherman and if taken away you will weaken
business already weak enough and the result M be that
out as soon possible, and try something else There.
FORE IL the fisheries worth preserving we must not
turn the tide Of interest from it That Is all mean to
j say upon this point
If my premises in this regard sound how much will
the nation gain by stopping the allowance to fishermen II
wise policy that encourages productive industry espe
caly IN these days when all like of the fat OF
the land, and do just little towards earning their bread
by the sweat of their brows is consistent with decent
personal appearance If the farmer should refuse to tin
the SOIL the raiser of cattle should give up his
ton everywhere men might well be poor rich SO far
as the comforts or necessities OF life concerned they
are not 70 be had for money money finds its level oce
and is valueess Such state Of things will never occur
except by the will Of the Almighty.
altogether The result will be that ona branch o he nre
ductve industry Of the country is lost Last year 43oaso
qantas of Goldfish and las464 barrels Of mackere were
Massachusetts alone There was clear gain of articles of
mans consumption valued $2768 745the ,roduct of
this branch of industry in State alone 1t was gain
OF an article OF consumption that nothing to raise
and was afforded to the consumers ut Comparatively low
because the expense was all included in the taking
and curing The article OF fish is not like other animal
food prepared for the market by the actual consumpon of
articles OF common necessity. 1t takes on an average
bushels Of corn to the head tten beef cattle
els for sheep and when you examine the census report and
nd the enormous number Of cattle raised for tho market
IN inns country you can estimate the amount Of article
OF breadstufs which is consumed in preparing this vast
herd CT stock for slaughter.
Mr. CAMPBELL, Of Ohio, viii the gentleman from
Massachusetts l allow me to PROFOUND question:
Mr.. DAVIS of Massachusetts Certainly.
Mr.: CAMpBELL of Ohio. The gentleman's argument
in behalf of the fishing bountes is forcibe and do not
Ws TO be undorsood as making opposition to the system
at TINS time nor as questioning the wisdom of the policy
which adopted IT. but should like to have him. or some
why this time bounty should not be given upon
the hams of the West well upon the fish
of New Engand2 -
MI. DAVIS of Massachusetts, Well, sir, will say in
reply TO the question propounded by the gentleman from
oho that the article of sugarcnTed hams of luxu-
Iy-at least suppose it is So Unfortunately cannot
speak irom experience upon that point If however he
can show that without the aid Of the government the bu
sness Of producing any article Of mans consumption will
anguish will vote to protect II il he can show TO
that the of hams have as class heretofore or
may as class hereafter be necessary proper defence
OF the country or that they can facilitate the prosecutions
OF any great branch OF national enerprisehe
cial for instance will vote to pay bounty sugar
cured hams.
But this fishing business like every other win regulate
ITSELF gentleman will say If the demand for fish as
an article OF CONSUMPTION exists prices will naturally ad
vance with the Increased demand induced by the falling
ff lin to
but not when dealing with the fishing business Dried and
picked Goldfish and mackerel enter largely into the list
articles Of consumption mainly on account Of their COM
well If for economys sake he frequently get his dinner
of dried or picked fish, hut he will choose ii an
ce OF food If ne can get pound of fresh beef mutton
for the price that it costs to furnish his table with salt
fish, So long the supply large and the expense of
king and curing fish will warrant the outfit Of vessels this
article as one OF common consumption will be cheaper
than fresh meat Just you throw obstacles in
the way Of the business that pursued at all be
ct greater expense then you must expect corresponding
advance in the price of the article If the consumption
ceases this account and at the time the article
cannot be furnished cheaper then the business
matter OF course because cannot long continue bus
ness in the face of positive loss Nobody help it The
business dies because the article of consumption
ter into competition wi tn the great staples in
and fishing be sustained any considerable
tent if rely upon the income of the article when
sdered as one of luxury alone
But why should this branch of industry receive the aid
Of the government and other answcr-apd ask the
gentleman from Ohio to note my remarksbecause it is OF
self If the agricultural interest of the country depend
ent upon governmental aid 1t should have my in its
support instantly simply because there value any
thing productive industry fails But agriculture needs
support from the government other than that which il
receives by the publication and circulation of documents
and Seeds which is not trife perhaps might have
said is afforded by the army in protecting farmers in the
extreme West from Indian depredatons However, all the
aid granted to agriculture is beneficial perhaps and
grudgingy bestowed far have observed. But the
farmer neds other aid. He plants his Seed and awaits
the growth and elimination of the fruits of his toll few
months in the year suffice complete his labor and he is
leaves his home, and abors constantly in the midst
of alternating storms and calms sometimes succeed
ing and making good trip and again returning to port
with empty barrels butts and bins Labor, labor labor
constant and unremited and hope of becoming
the lord of prncey estate which has been hewn
the western wilderness and grown into value by
virtue of prosperity aided perhaps directly and
Indirectly by the business of the fisherman and sailor
than by that OF other class of The fshermans
field OF labor s the broad He casts anchor and
throws out his line guided and strengthened by his hopes
eft him only far they contribute to his personal COM
fort While he sleeps hs catches fish, When overtaken
by sickness and disability to perform labor his bread is at
stake and his suffering in view Of this fact is enhanced
Not SO with the agriculturst Sleeping waking, In
in calm, in health in sickness his crops
progressing with the passing hour.
So much in brief upon the point Of productive industry
direct my attention TO the question of national
economy, looking disciplined and available system of
marine defence We have between five and six million
tons of American shipping employed in the commercial
business of the world We already, fast be-
coming, the greatest commercial nation the globe We
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