Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1859-02-04
saving at the Spigot while
wasting at the Bunr."

the strong box OF the nation, and who, for
fear that he may use the funds intrusted to
him, for his private use, keeps the Treasury
empty,-so bare that no money can be had
to pay of the ishermen-has given the coun-
try practical illustration Of his genius in
looking after the small leakages of hundreds
of dollars in the Treasury, while suffering
the millions Of extravaganza and waste to
60 unnoticed and uncared form the Reve-
nue. Collection Bill which he proposes to the
country for adoption. In this bill he cuts
off seventeen New England Custom Houses,
and many minor officers. Among the many
changes proposed is the following one for
Maine
"Passammaquoddy district absorbs Machi-
As; Belfast absorbs Peuobscot, Frencbman's
Bay and Waldoboro; Bath absorbs Saco and
kennebunk; Portsmouth absorbs York"
If there are any minor officers connected
with these Districts that are useless, abolish
the Offices at once. No one will object to any
reform in this direction which is needed
But the ship owners have word to say,
when the attempt is made to save few
thousands of dollars, by abolishing necessary
collection Districts in those portions of the
Union where the necessity,-by reason of
increased tonnage for greater accommoda-
tons is greatly augmentins. In 1890, about
the time the three collection Districts of
Passamma9uoddy, Machias and Frenchman's
Bay were established two of which Mr..
Cobb recommends to be abolis ed-the whole
tonnage of the Union was only "a 81 tons,
less. by more than 400 900 tons, the present
tonnage Of Maine; and not three times the
tonnage owned in the Machias, Frenchman's
Bay and Penobscot districts at this time.
The shipbuilding ard commerce of our State
is increasing rapidly in extent, as any one
can see by examining the tonnage and COM
mercial tables of the country.
Maine took the lead in 1920 in the num-
Der Of vessels annually built and has main
tanned her supremacy ever since. In 1854
the new tonnage built was los ,63l tons
against New York the next largest of e, 073
tons; and Massachusetts, the third largest OF
As 900 tons. For the year 1856, ending
June Both there were built in Maine BIC
vessels Of all kinds, l56 Of which were ships
and barques, amounting in tonnage to 49,
901, SS-95th tons. Massachusetts, ranked
next, and she had 50, 1874, S3-95th tons The
whole amount Of tonnage built in the Union,
for this year was Ago 1893, 73-95th tons
Maine building about one third of all that
was built in the Union. In 1857 the pro-
portion is about the same. Whole amount
37S .S04 tons, and Maine contributing no.
933 tons. An examination of the tonnage
in all the collection districts in the Union,
l35 in number, shews that there are only %
that exceed Frenchman's Bay District in
tonnage owned in the district. If VIC take
Penobscot (Castine) district, which Mr. Cobb
proposes to abolish, and institute a compare
son. we shall find only eli ghteen districts that
exceed it in tonnage. Machias falls but lit
tie below this district in amount Of tonnage
and this also is to be abolished and amer
sd,-we suppose this is the word to use,-to
Passammaquoddy. When this piece of econo-
my, emanating from the head Of the Treas
ury. shall have been accomplished, and the
Machias and Frenchman's Bay districts are
abolished, the distance between the two
contiguous Offices of Passammaquoddy and
Belfast, will be about LIS miles BY stage
road and to follow the coast line q much
greater distance. The intermediate coast ia
indented with bays, creeks, harbors, coves
&C., all Of which are covered at times with
shipping of various kinds. But surprising
that Deputy is stationed at Machias,
Frenchman's Bay and Castine, this will not
do away with the necessity of shipmasters
and shipowners, having frequently to refer
matters to the collectors for decision. 1t is
we'll known that Deputies are very chary in
the use Of power, and very much averse to
making decisions in matters of doubt. In
any case, arising where the line of duty
is not well defined, and the authority un-
questioned, it would be referred at once to
the collector. This would impose heavy
tax, and a great less of valuable time, per-
haps, upon those interested.
Let US examine the vast amoant TO be
saved by this measure of economy The cos.
of supporting the Machias District is
$2,605; the Frenchman's Bay, 5000;
Penobscot $4,SS4, total Sl2,52l. With
the change contemplated, it will not reduce
the expense, only about one-half. The mea-
gerness of this sum, should deter from the
contemplated change, were there no such con
siderations.as that commercial men and com
mercial communities should be dealt with in
. spirit Of iberality and especially so when il
J costs 80 little for the government. How far
this recommendation is endorsed by the ad-
ministration is not known 1t is probably a
crotchet Of the Georgia Secretary who ia
supposed not to be well versed in commercial
matters, and who has not spent much time
in studying the wants of commercial men
But what we especially invite the attention
of the reader to, is this attempt to economic
in these small matters, while there are &c
many ways to stop the drains upon the Trea
sury To some purpose; and also to the fact
these Districts were established under Wash
.. L