Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1857-02-13


Committee to which the subject was re.
fcrred, reported the following resolve re-
lating to the proposed repeal BY Con-
gress of the Fishing bountics =
Whereas Commerce is one of the great interests
that lie at the foundation OF the prosperity oil
cary nation; and aas Received aud should receive
"a. thu hands Of our Government fostering care
ADD protection;
Ind, To advance that great interest, And to fur
nisa "A nursery of rcamen for the navy in time of
actual war, led to the adoption of the existing
laws granting bounties T. fishermen, and the policy
OF so doing was approved by James Madison;
And fu-fscr, Seamen fitted for the naval se-vi ice
can be had only by long and severe training, and
o matter OF economy 1t is far better that such
nursery of seamen should exist by means of the
slight bounties now given. thsa that Government
should undertake. in time Of peace, t. train such
number as would be actually required III time Of
wa;
4aa stiA fia-tAt-, All the principal commercial
and maritime nations have ma 'e II point to pur
this policy. and For the purpose Of furnishing
for their navy sufficient number Of experienced
aai stillful scamen;
1a~refors ReSelreA That our Senator'S And Repres
entstives in Congress be requested IT, siapt such
measures as in their Judgement they SHALL deem
best t. prevent the disturbing e the present law.
granting bounties 10 fishermen.
Mn. SARGENT addressed the Senate at
length in favor of the Resolve, as fol-
lows -
Mr.. PREsIDEST Il wish to say a
few words OF this subject as it is one in
which feel considerable interest, and
only wish could do it that justice which
it demands. The resolve contemplates
instructing our Senators and Representa-.
tives in Congress, to use their influence
,ainst the repeal Of the law, allowing
boun,ies to vessels engaged in the cod
fist eries. and, trust the resolve may
pass without a Dissenting vote,-and
why should it not The allowance Civ
en- to vessels for bounty, is benefit, in,
dividually and collectively to the people
of our State. For. in the first place, it
throws Just so much money into circulat-
ion. And in the second, it goes to that
class of people who most need it, the
poorer classes. Those reasons, to say
the least, should suffice for US in this
State. were there no other.swaBut sir,
there is greater reason, mo9s power
full argument, why this State. and every
other State in this Confederacy should be
in favor Of allowing bounties to vessels
engaged in the fishing business. and that
Il, the cod-fshery is now. and always has
been considered. the nursery of the Ma
w. We view it so--other nations look
a. it in the same light.
Look at France sec how she views
this subject: she has about 10000 men
employed in the fishing business, who
catch about $500 quintals Of Goldfish
yearly, for which the government allows
a bounty Of ten francs, or near two dol
lars per quintal. besides bounty of SO
francs nine dollars for each man. for
.he outfit. And sir do YOU think that
France is the loser for this fostering care
Of the fishing interests: No sir, MIR.
S mac. a celebrated statesman says -
"rhis fishery is productive industry,
and it furnishes more than fifth part of
the whole number of our seamen, and by
far the best portion Of them. There is
no cheaper. better or more useful school
for the formation OF scamen for the Ma
W. and none is more capable Of extens-
ion and development"
In l.77 France recalled her fishermen
from Newfoundland, To enter her ships
of war and in 1886 NJ. Rodct affirms
that, without the resources which were
found in the sailors engaged in the fish,
e,ies, the expedition to Algiors-which
was conquered in ls30-could not have
taken place. Bat why need we look to
other governments to see what 6shermex
have done we need look only to our
oen country to see what fishermen have
done to enlist our feelings and sympa-
thy, aye. and our respect too Let us
look at them and the part they acted in
the struggle for our independence.
At that time, there was in Mass1chu-
sets and Maine. about 400, men en-
p,oyed in the cod fisheries. To a great
extent. they were obliged to give up their
business Of fishing. But sir. did they
remain on shore: No soma of them
went on board OF oar msn-of-war. but
the greater part of them went ca board
of privas.evs, which did IA immense dam
n 70 the enemy's commerce, as We isarn