The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1858-05-14
From IN. Boston Advertiser Of May 10.
Repeal of the Fishing BOuntieS.

The bill for the repeal oil the nshing oouh'
ties. of the introduction Of which we inform
ed our readers some months since. is now un.
der consideration in the Senate OF the United
States. A fair and deliberate examination
of the subject leaves no question, we think,
of the expediency Of continuing the policy oil
encouraging and stimulating these nurseries
of the marine service, by the aid OF govern
ment, a policy which is coeval with the gov
eminent itself, and which has been support
ed by the most observing and prudent states
men of the country. In fact, II We pass oy
every. other MISUNDERSTANDING out OF
view all rights which the capital invested In
these fisheries on the faith Of the bounty may
have for protection. neglecting likewise al
thought OF the wisdom Of retaining posses.
sion of this branch Of industry, rather than
passively to suffer II to be seized upon oy other
nations, the single advantage which the
fisheries afford a. recruiting ground for our
merchant service and tor the navy Is sum.
Gent reason why the general government
should continue to encourage them.
The extent to which foreigners are employe
ed in the navy and in our Merchant marin.
is notorious. Every one knows, that in our
naval service American seamen are now the
exception, and the country relies almost en-
tirely upon foreigners, and those not always
of the most trustworthy class, for the protec-
ton of our commerce. and, in case OF war,
for the preservation Of the naval renown
which we prize so highly. The case is nearly
the same in our merchant ships, and although
false papers conceal the nativity OF large
proportion of seamsQ, " 20 Seeret, that In
every ship which sails from our coast, q ma
iority of the sailors are Of foreign BIRTH
That the fisheries do but little to overhaul
anee this immense preponderanee OF foreign
ers is no doubt true, but even that little Is too
valuable TO be wantonly sacrificed. There
are nearly fifteen thousand men constantly en-
gagged in this perilous occupation. and II Is est-
mated that we have nearly fifty thousand who
have been educated in IL ~ seamen. Such
a practical school as this, which educates
such q number Of pupils, at cost oil only
$500. 900 per snnum, without regard 70 the
incidental benefits which IL oilers, Is an ad.
vantage which Is no, to be lightly estimated
or thrown away.
1t unfortunately happens that sectional feel
inc has been enlisted in this matter to an un.
u,ual degree. The direct advantage from the
fishing bounties Is obtained mainly by Maine
and Massachusetts,, and we do not think We
are unwarrantably harsh, II We suppose thai
the political position Of these two States may
make some members more sharp-sishtsd. Tor
the detection of the supposed inequality OF
the bounty system, from which New Eng
land profits so largely. 1t would however.
be needless for US TO occupy time and space
in showing that the advantages Afforded oy
this system are not in fact local, but are gen.
eral, and that the whole country 70 interested
in the welfare and prosperity Of the fisheries
Of New England. The extent to which, in
times past, in the revolution and in the war
Of isia, they contributed TO our naval sue
cess. wa, well shown by Mr. Hsmlin Of Maine,
in a speech delivered By him on Ihursosy
last. Mr.. Hamlin treats the charge that sns
bounties are only . local benefit, rs follows'
The fisheries are local. The ruler Of the
world has made them 90. The waters OF the
lar North are tLe fields in which the fish are
taken, and IL would DO natural to suppose
that the people reading near to those fields