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

protect TINS nSAing interest, II for no 9TH
er reason, yet as nursery for our sea
men; and sir, let me say, that without
the allowance now made them. thew can
not follow their business, Repeal the
law granting bounties, and what will be-
come Of the fishing interest? In
great measure it will have to be abon-
doned the value of our fishing vessels
will be greatly reduced, and the inAu-
ence will be erussiagly felt, especially by
all those States who are interested in
this business
Now, sir, | think it national policy. to
continue to foster and protect this inter
est. as We have done in years past, BY
paying out from our oserAowing troasu-
ry this small amount of few hundred
thousand dollars, and thus, Railways have
American seamen to man our navy
Else we must have double the number we
now have under commission, in order to
make seamen, or we must trust luck for
men to man our naval vessels in case of
war. Mr.. President. submit to you,
what is economy in the case. Now, if
four thousand four hundred men captured
prizes to the amour. Of twenty-five mil
! lions of dollars in one year and nine
months, how long will it take twelve
thousand men. on the same principle to
pay back. with Interest," all the bounties
that have been paid to fishing vessels
since the las; bounty law was enacted.
The principal argument used for the
repeal of the law. is, that there is fraud
used, and may vessels get the bounty
without fulfilling the requirements of
law. This, ADMIT, may be true in
in some cases, and think it is. as all laws
are violated sometimes. But in most
cases. whore the bounty is got illegally
it is by small vessels, and these draw bu,
little bounty.
Ia the United States Senate, Jan. 90
Mr.. Clay introducing a bill repeating to
bountics to fishing vessels, INDUCES in
some very strong language and remarks
against New England fishermen, aud the
! bounty law. calling the law bantlins,
and SAYS III We must have such a
ban.ling, let us take something which in
time will do the country some credit
think it hos done the country seine
credit, even in its youth, and, that i. is
not in debt for what its foster parents
have bestowed upon it, and although i,
lives in the cold corner OF the house. and
Mr.. Clay is not personally acquainted
with it. yet. even he, may see the time.
when he will think it no disgrace that il
was introduced into, and fostered in the
& family. I am glad to see our able Sen
ator, Mr. Fcssenden, take the stand that
he does in relation to this matter; and
although our Senat ~ AID Representa-
lives in Congress, am sure, will DO all
that can be done to sustain this law, ye.
| wish for them to feel that the people
are uni:edly with them, without regard
to party.
This is not a party question, nor,
should it be. We are all alike interest
ed in it. and although there is opposition
to this law allowing bounties To ti.hin !,
vessels by MANY at the South aud West,
vet | am bound to believe /, IS through
Misrepresentation And # they could
view the subject in its proper light and
bearings. as we of the North view It.
feel satisfied that they would give up
their prejudices and go in for the right.
Mr.. PRESIDENT ON looking into
my "paper few moments since. l
found more extended remarks than had
seen of Mr. Clay, on the fishing boun-
ty" question. Had seen these re.
marks and charge, in season. would
have been prepared to answer, and l
would have been better prepared to ans
wer, and trust rcfu.e them Mr.. Clay
{ says" Nor sir. is this bounty realized
in accordance with the law, but in its
op N or covert violation. FirA, the law
requires, in order to entitie these men to
this bounty. that their vessels should be
examined by the proper officer Of the
Customs before they make voyage, to
see that they have proper outfits; but
this is regarded as a matter OF form, the
officer boarding the vessel reporting in
, accordance with the information furnish
ed him by the captain" Now sir, l
wish to say that Mr.. Clay has either been
: imposed upon himself. or except in a
limited sens, wishes to impose upon
others, for the boarding officer is very
strict, and must look to the outfits him
self; or as the fishermen say "has his
nose into everything and miA NOT take
the word of the captain without looking
for himself.
Again Mr.. Clay says-"1h he law re-
quires that a journal or log book should
be kept, showing the dates of sailing.
the ports entered, the daily catch and
the date of return; yet this journal is
made up after the voyage is completed,
and is duly sworn to and presented as
true and authentic by the claimant OF
the bounty Now sir. again has Mr..
Clay been imposed ulon always except
ing in limited sense) for it is not true
in fact that the journal is not kept on
board. In many cases, the journal may
he kept from day to day for week, and
perhaps longer, when the captain and
crew are ousy fishing, and covered with
scales and curry, on common writing
book or paper; but when at leisure, it
Il