The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-12-21

presiding officer. AS treasurer of the State he
had noticed that nearly half the State tax is
paid by forty-eight or fifty seaboard towns.
Their wealth was drawn out OF the ocean os
industry and enterprise. The wealth. OF pain
is a relief to the rest of the state. Inc wealth
of the State, so far as it goes Is relief 10 the
rest of the country. He was perhaps pecul-
iarlv impressed with the Importance of this
movement. Maine must wake up and look out
for herself
Mr.. Edwin Reed from the committee on
resolutions then submitted the following re.
port: ...-
Whereas, the mercantile marine OF the country
has been greatly reduced in consequence of the var
and the shpbul ing interest in state OF extreme
depression, which condition Is due to variety Of
causes among which the principal is The heavy ur-
den OF duties ana taxes upon many of the materials
entering mo the construction OF vessels Their Dy
enhancing The cost OF production to point winch
precudes the possibility of succe competition in
the freight markets of the world with the coedper
built els IF fol egn nations whose governments
wisely exempt from taxation materials useo III snip
building; and
not alone OF local or but rather of national
importance SO interviewer and connecteu Is 1t with
the other great Interests or the country; and
Whereas the cheapest and surest mode of main
tanning peace with all ma ions, on honorable terms,
is m show to the world that we have power to MAIN
tain our just claims at all times, with we can do
only by the display OF adequate naval force; and
Whereas, Monitors or 1ronsides while we are
without scamen to man them, will command for US
respect; and rre.I ..It.f q
Whereas, we cannot have the seamen without
large commercial marine; therefore
Resotoed, That among the highest du les of our
government, that of fostering. buidng up and main
tanning great commercial marine stands especially
prominent, because peace with all natonsis so de-
srabe to every section Of country. to enable it
10 develop rapidly and efficiently its agricultural,
manufacturlng and commercial resources.
Resot ed, That the carry ing trad OF the world is
vast sour OF wealth to those nations hich prose-
cute II, bringing in clear gain add to the ma
tonai wealth all the profits arising from it, and that
share Of Il csc profits is especially needed at this
time when such drain upon our wealth exists as
mas become necessary to provide for the interest
our bonds held abr aad, and can be enjoyed only in
proportion to the amount of tonnage we put upor.
the ocean. a-r -. -. = =.
Resclurd, That the efficient means at the disposal
OF tile government for the accomplishment of these
great national benefits is the allowance OF drawback
of all import duties and internal taxes on articles
used in the construction Of ships, which will enable
American ships success ully to compete with those
of other nations in the carrying trade of the world
ResOIUed, That the Maine Shpowners and Ship
binders Association asks not Tor avoritism at the
hands OF the national government but only simple
justice and an opportunity to promote the highest
welfare ami prosperity Of the whole country by in
of the wealth Of the nation consequent on The
revival Of shpbuilding enabling this section OF the
country to bear larger share of the national bur-
Resotued, That this Association extends It's hearty
thanks to our delegation in Congress inaugural
ing measures for the relief Of the commerce Of the
country, and respectfully requests a Continuation Or
their efforts until success is secured.
The resolutions were adopted without de-
bate.
On motion of Mr.. Hayden the directors of
the Association were authorized to appoint
two agents to proceed to Washington with the
general agent (Hon. N. G.. Hicliborn) appoint
ed at the April meeting. 1t is understood
that this delegation will be accompanied and
supported by four members of the Boston
Board of Trade and two delegates from the
New York Chamber of Commerce
Mr.. Z. Davenport called attention to the
three remedies suggested by Secretary McCul-
loch for the depression of the shipping interest.
and was glad to see tiat the first place was
given to the allowance of drawback on materi-
ais used in shipbuilding, the second TO a SUBJ
sidy, and the third to the proposition to allow
our capitalists to buy of foreign builders.
Mr.. Hayden thought this matter should be
plainly presented to Congress. The advan-
tage which foreign builders have over us is
their exemption from taxation. Give us that
chance, and we will build as cheaply as any
body, and the capital invested in shipyards
will be taxed here at home. That tax will be
lost if our ships are built abroad.
Capt. Goss reminded the Association that a
resolution to remove restrictions on the regis
tration of foreign-built vessels was laid on the
table at Portland in April by unanimous
vote. He offered the following resolution, as
the sense of the meeting: 1la - H
RESOLVED, That this Association recognizes with
gratitude the alluSon of the able Secretary of the
Treasury. Hon Hugh McCuloch, to the wants Of the
navigation of the country, and we shall be willing to
accept either of The two first propositions but sin.
cerey hope ne rer to behold the humiliaing specta
Gle American citizens go ng abroad for ships, abun
dainty supplied as we are with men and materials
for the construction of them at home. d. lH
The resolution was adopted. ,iTr 10 Z. . Hf
Capt. George Fl. Preble and Mr. Edwin
Reed were appointed to present the claims of
the Association to shipbuiders and owners
throughout the State, and the same committee,
with the addition of Hon. John Hayden, was
directed to prepare and publish an address to
the people of the State on the dangers that
threaten the shipping interest. ds 9oa % su
Hon. N. G.. Hichborn, Capt. w. Ryan and
Mr.. Edwin Reed were appointed delegates to
attend the National Commercial Convention
at Boston on the 9TH of February. r
This completed the business of the conven-
ton, which then proceeded as in committee
Of the whole to discuss various matters of in
terest.
The opinion was expressed by several gem
tlemen that the clause in Mr.. Lynch's bill
now before Congress, which provides for levy
ing an additional duty ot1O per cent ad valo-
rem on all goods imported in vessels not of
the United States would operate to the dis
advantage of the shipping interest, as foreign
governments would retaliate, and thus render
our condition more distressing than at pres
ent. . aI. tsr.r.4 -s- .a-
Mr.. Hichborn made some statements re-
speeding the unjust operation of the new
measurement which shipowners were COM
PEELED to pay for and which reekoned the room
in the houses on deck as part of the tonnage,
SO that the Spanish tonnage dues founded on
this measurement, amount ON the houses
alone to more than the masters pay. Mr..
Hichborn remarked that the relief we hope
to gain by this movement will amount to
more than the whole State tax of Maine.
Capt. Ryan suggested that we need COM
plete revision of mercantile marine law, so
that there may be some responsibility for the
proper performance of duty on shipboard At
present there is no accountability anywhere
1t was now nearly IL o'clock, and SO after a
very interesting session the Association ad-
journed. The next regular meeting occurs
on the third Tuesday in May.
la f-.1- SEBATTIs.
Gen. Grant for President. ..
Mr.. EDIToR,-Many of the friends OF Gen.