Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1867-02-08
Augusta Correspondence.

AUGUSTA Feb. 9th. 1867.
MIR. EDIroR In my last promised to say
something of the Ship builders convention
which was held here last week. All who are
interested in this important branch of industry
are well aware that it is hard business, if an at
tempt is made to compete with our PROVINCIAL
neighbors in building. Labor Is much cheap
or there; and the government in order to en-
courage the business make drawback OF all
duties paid upon materials entering into the
construction of vessels With the present high
rates of duty on iron. copper, cor,lage &c. to-
gether with the high price Of labor, the pros
pcct is very discouraging.
1t now costs third more to build in this State
than in New Brunswick. BY our laws no YES
sci manufactured outside of our territory can
sail under our flag; SO that with the greater
cost of building, and the impossibility OF trans
forming foreign built, to our own flag, we are
in great danger of losing our standing as n COM
mercial people. Statistics! will show falling
off in our shipping from the year before the
war until this time that is really alarming.
In view of the flct> we have just briefly no.
feed. those interested in Ship building held Il
convention to confer together and if possible
devise some means to make ship building re-
muncrative.
The attendance was not 50 large rs would
have been desirable, but most parts of the State
was represented. Hon. n. G. lIichbern was
President. \ bust ness committee reported for
considerations the propricty of appointing II
committee 10 mem orialiZe Congress to grant IL
shipbuildcrs draw back equal to all the dti'
ties paid for material used in construction. and
to ask for the repeal of tonnage dues. This
measure wa, discussed and passed.
Mr.. IItchbcrn made the statement that
Maine paid into the treasury ofthc general gov
eminent s /. 200 900 As duties OH material. 1t
is estimated that fthi> measure can be obtain
cd vessels can be built for $40 per ton less than
at the present rates. This will afford some
relief, but must yet leave our builders at a dis
advantage.
The one question that has caused more dis
cusson, and engrossed. more interest than any
other. is the bill presented by Mr.. Crosby of
the senate. repeating the laws i'll relation to
inter marriage of whites and blacks.
1t has been assigned in the house for Wednes-
day next. Its opponent, are quite certain it
will be defeated.
A bill allowing parties to fix the rates ofin-
tere>t rs high is = per cent has passed in the
senate after most thorough discussion. As
he question we have Just mentioned claims the
tgreatest attention, it can hardly be judged what
will be done in the house.
The Committee on the assumption Of town
liabilities for Bountics. we are informed. will
report Il bill allowing towns n certain amount
per- soldier, but how much. are unable to
| learn.
Saco will be city. Where are the friends Of
city charter for Ellsworth that the! are not
up:
The Inspector of Picked Fish, Hon. Thos.
Warren. of Deer Isle. reports that ~ 40 bar
rel> of mackercl were Inspected the past year
of which Bill Dbl. were no. /. lie also re-
ports $40 bbis of Sha.!. 800 of herring. rs OF
Gods. Gil of haddock, 222 Of salmon. and 2,l32
of porgie>. rs inspected.
| The Liquor Law Committee will report some
amendments, maxim: it more u terror TO evil
doors: and probably Il bill To organic II State
Constahulary. so that this and other law, need
not be dead lions.
| 1t may be proper for me to add that the in
tere>t bill came up in the Hose to day on il
passage to be cngrossed, and after striking out
/ per cent. 20 leave the rae to be fixed 10y
parties. it was defeated by two majority. l
was rccon>i,.ered and Thursday next a>>ignc,
fur lis consideration.
| TIL" hill rendering it necessary for 4 maicri
~ of Il board Of School Committee rc'be present
At the cNaminat ION of teachers was laid on tho
table and Il,ra 1t. assigned for its further
consider ation-tlcdd.
| Mr.. West. of Franklin threw a b6id5 thi.
morning i'll the House. When an order cam,
from the Senate for concurrence in relation to
/ improvm nts of the State Capitol, Mr.. West
moved it be amended so a> To authorize tho
Committee to enquire into the cXpediency OF
making Bangor the Capitol provided that city
will be responsible for any further cost than
may now he required to make the proposed al.
ditions. We doubt if the gentleman from
Franklin was really in earnest: but we will
venture the remark that he is u crcdi. to his
| constituency.
The page. Of the Senate and House hay,
made up Legislative Register There are
some facts for the curious in the way of Stats.
tics.
These YOUNG gentlemen have got the height
weight s-e &c. Of every member, but we hay
not learned that they have sale which to meas.
ure the mental ealibre.
| In the House there are &. Farmers u Ncr.
chants. l3 Lawyers. I.umbcrman. u Manufac.
turer>, 4 Physicians, Teachers, 3 Shp-car-
penfers. j Carpenters, = Bankers Seaincn
Clergyman. Editor. | stones cutter, 1 IL,aIer
in STOVES. Dealer in Fruit trees.l Steamboat
Agent. Blacksmith, Fisherman, | surveyor.
Miller, l Mason. The average age of the
House, Is ~ vcars,-1jS IL lbs..-ayerayc
height. j II. . inches.
In the Senate there are $ Merchants. ! Lum.
berm'n. Lawyers. Physicians. Manufac-
'nrers. J Farmers. Druggist. Teacher. / stu
dent. The age of the Senate is * years -ay-
crase weight, l6O lbs,-averasc height ) feet
! ~ inches.
| Yours,
spy
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