The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-12-16
The Shipping Enterest of Maine.
STocKToN Deo IA 1857

quent numbers, call for meeting OF inc
Shipbuilders and Owners Association OF Maiiie'
to be holden in Bath, on the 18th inst.
l am not without the hope, sir' 'ha' the
meeting NAV he fullv attended ard that ma
tured and tb,-orobly systematic plan OF oper-
ot;or- 49,, ~ oo,reed upon, and followed with
-. ~ enaI and successful completion.
oa'rc, is the material interest of our State
connsc y with this branch of our industry
thot its importance can hardly be overestimat.
ed. STILL am aware, many feel that nothing
VIII be accomplished. So unused is Maine
to asking the Government for any legisla-
ton favoring her industrial interests that our
people have no confidence in the attempt
One thing, however, is certain; relief will not
come unasked; and from some little expert
ence, feel that, within the bounds OF reason,
our success will be measured very much by
the effort made. An interest so important as
the merchant marine of the countr! cannot, L
think, long b. neglected by Congress, when its
burdens shall have been properly presented.
And here allow me to inquire, do we not need
little more faith in Maine, in her rights and
and resources? Do we not need our convic-
tons broadened and deepened as to what
Maine is and mag be by proper individual and
associated effort? Is it necessary for our
men, and women too, to be constantly seeking,
abroad and often in less favored sections of
the country that remuherative labor not found
at home? Is it necessary for our citizens
and our energy to be populating and building
up other cities and sections of the county to
the neglect of our own? Have we faith
enoughin ourfarms, our manufacturing powers,
our centers OF commercial business, than which
noneare more favored our railroad opportunities
aad our very extensive shipbuilding inters g.
now depressed by unfavorable legislation, but
which under ordinary crcum stances excels
that of any other State? am extremely anx-
ious to see all these interests properly cherish
ed; al! local j.alousies forgotten and a united
effort to make our State what its opportnni-
ties would seem to indicate. N's -nt- l itI,
But just now our shipping interest is suffer-
ing beyond any and all others, and more than
Maine can well afford, or need to afford, if she
will make proper effort. 1t is not to be pre-
sumed that the present unfavorable legsla-
ton was intended to work the ruin resulting
from it, In the frequent changes OF laws con-
ditioned upon war, such as We have just
passed through, laws wei Intended often bear
heavily upon local interests, and need system
atizing and changing at the earliest practic lbe
moment. This the shipping interest of the
country proposes to ask. No one interest, per-
haps, is of more vital Importance, and no 9TH
err, practically, so.exposed to competition in ev-
cry cline. This, then, practically exposed as
it is, can only live and prosper under laws as
favorable as those extended to the commerce
of other nations. tr. d..
The English understand this. They are not
only mad" at our commercial and marine en-
terprise, but they exhibit a /" method in their
madness" In the Provinces not only is a
drawback allowed in all dutable articles en-
tering into the construction of vessels to the
amount of such duties, but the seller of tim
Der, knees, &C., must pay heavy express du-
ty before he can take his wares abroad tor sale,
thus giving the home consumer the advantage.
So great are these advantages that not only
are many of our ship owners being drawn
abroad tor new vessels, but are now taking
their ships to st. John and other provincial
ports for all extensive repairs. How long we,
as a naturally commercial nation, can afford
to continue this condition of things, is the
problem for discussion. As it now is, not only
are our ship-vards fettered and hindered by
revenue and protective laws, greatly enhanc-
ing the price of almost every article entering
into the construction of ships, but when the
ship is built, if built she is at ALL she must pay
town, county and State tax, not only upon her
intrinsic value, but upon all the duty and pre-
lection entering into her construction. If she
then, perchance, secure any income this must
be taxed, and finally there is tax of thirty
cents per ton, per annum for the right to use
her. Lib ill4r 5aF 1aiaYd.
All this disability is falling with crushing
weight on Maine, being, as she is, the ship
building State of the country. In view of
this, and the further fact that fifty of the sea-
board towns of Maine pay about fifty per cent
of all the taxes OF the State, and that the valu-
aion upon, which this is BASED came largely
from the shipping interest, when unfettered
lit was never protected) shall we not have a
full and able convention? 81. a..
The Secretary of the Treasury has again
called the attention of the nation to it, Mr.
Lynch of Maine has introduced bill looking
to the same object, and all the delegation from
the State are ready for cooperation. Shall
they not feel that the shipping interest OF
Maine, personally interested as it is, is ready
to give them its hearty cooperation in striving
for SO desirable a result? N. G. HIcHBoRN