The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-02-06
The Cod Fish Democracy.

1t is very evident that Senator Cay OF AL
ALBANIA has embarken in crusade against
the bounties allowed to the New England
cod fishermen. He commenced the attack
last Tuesday, by introducing repeating
bill, and making an extremely vituperative
speech, which was briefly replied to by Sem
ators Seward and Fessenden. lie states
that the annual allowances now paid out Of
the Treasury to the fishermen amounted to
$500, OOO-that this is fraudulently distrib-
uted-and that this bounty, 50 distracted
from the pockets Of the nation at large for
the "cod-Gsh aristocracy Of the six States"
is premium for fraud and perjury.
We do not intend to examine at length
these charges, as the subject will soon un.
dergo thorough discussion in Congress,
and will receive ample justice at tho hands
Of our representatives. We content our
selves at present rather with givinga few
points in the history of the matter.
Long before the Revolution the goldfish
cries of the Eastern States had assumed
great importance, and in the treaty at tho
close Of the war, England conceded our
"niyM to take fish on the Grand Bank, and
on all other banks of New Poundland. -
AS soon as we got going on an independ.
ant footing, our government turned It's at
tention towards fostering this branch Of
business. The next to tho very first act
passed by Consress-July ith, l7S9-al-
lowed a bounty on dried and picked fish ex.
ported to any foreign country, which, with
various notifications. continued in force till
1897. Then it was abolished, together with
the tax on salt, which was very material
item in the prosecution of the business -
During the next six years there were no
bounties Or allowances. But in 1913, be-
ing in "war times" the tax on salt was re-
vived, and also the allowance on fishing ves-
sells. In 1919 tho rates were increased, nc
cording to which the payments IRE now
made. This is the brief;,st history of legis-
lation upon the matter.
When we come to the justice Of the poll
cy, we enter upon the field Of controversy.
Undoubtedly the salt tax, which bore heavi.
" upon the fishermen, was nm influential
consideration in establishing the bounty
system. But it was no. all. From the
earliest time, the fishery business WINS look.
ed upon as the most valuable nursery for
our mercantile and warlike navy. It's hard.
sb;ns rsou;rinv the utmost daring and en-.
DURANGO the extent 70 which |, engaged our
non,la,;on pnon the seo md Tho neculiar
Inducements which it offered to the Young
men all concurred in enforcing this view of
its utility. Long before we had any serious
difficulty with the mother country, a British
writer spoke of the dangerous character of
the eastern colonies, resulting from their
addiction to the fisheries. The war of the
Revolution bore out the prophecy-for. 10
,ake one l;ttlc item Il was an hun,bl, 6,y.
eruau Of Maine ,oho oapfured more o,u,
,hon ann other commander in our nopoi GER.
rice. The Government. therefore. thought
it we'll worth while, from national consider.
ations, to encourage the fisheries. Again Il
is foreign business to our people, which
they carry on to great disadvantage. COM
pared with the inhabitants Of the coasts of
New Foundland and Nova Scotia. The lat.
ter no. only conduct /. at their own doors.