The New York herald., 1868-06-12
NEW YORK SHiPOWNERS, ASSOCIATION.

Election Of Oficers-RepOrt of the Committee
ON Mercantile Marine-Bills Before Com
gress-Tbeir Nature and Tendency.
regular meeting Of the Shipowners' Associa-
tion of the State Of New York was held on Wednes
day, June TO- 1858, at the Nos SO and 81 Pine
street. Mr.. Edward Hincken, President in the chair,
and full board present. After the transaction of
the usual routine business the meeting went into
election OF officers and standing committees for the
ensuing year, with the following result
President Edward Hincken; First Vice President,
George NJ Cearman; Second Vice President d. Col
den Murray Treasurer, william d. Morgan; Core.
spending Secretary William G. Sturges; Recording
Secretary, Thomas s. SANFORD.
Executive COmmttee-Gustavus A. Brett, Lemuel
Brown, George f. Buey, stephen w. Carey, John &.
Dale, James W. Ewel, Francis NJ French, Christian
Rowland, Charles Lamson, Robert Mackie John T.
b. Maxwell, William Nelson, Jr., Ambrose Snow,
Williams, Allston Wilson, Charles L. Wright
Arbitration Commttee-Gustavus A. Brett, Chair
man; Nathaniel d. Carle, Cornelius Comstock,
FrOthingham Robert Mackie.
The following report was then read:-
Your committee, 10 whom was referred the consid-
Grafton OF "A bill In relation to the mercantile
rine OF the United States" begs respectfully report
the bill is vOluminOus and from cursory exanina-
ton would appear to be manly devoted to enact.
ments regulating the construction and equipment of
steamships and other vessels engaged IN the passen.
licensing OF masters, mates and engineers. But a
more careful investigation dtsclOses that the bill
poses, but also includes in its restrictions all such
vessels are engaged in the transportation Of mer-
chandise only; in fact Is declared in the sixty
fourth section, every description OF craft used in
navigation and propelled otherwise than by Oars.n
The powers conferred on the ''mar1ne boards" and
on the inspectors" to be appointed by them
novelties in the legislative history of this country
applied to commerce, and the extent to which they
may be stretched can only be known when the pro-
visions Of the bill enforced by active and inge-
NOUS marine boards and their Inspectors. From the
decisions Of these boards the bill provides appeal
nnr
than those directly Interested. SO far as we
learn no member OF this association has been con-
suited in reference to it, and first knowledge of
it was derived from copies sentt0 lew Of our mem
bers. Since the receipt Of these copies we under
stand that the bill has been introduced in the House
OF Representatives and referred to the Committee on
Commerce.
'that It will improve the character OF our COM
merce,n we regard as futile. The shipbuders of
this country have, from Its earliest history been free
from government interference and the excellence OF
our materials, the skill and workmanship OF con-
structions not excelled by those Of any country
The policy Of laws has always been to allow the
competition which exists In all branches Of trade to
govern the construction, equipment and maintenance
Of our vessels and the result has been seen in the
specimens OF naval architecture produced by our
mechanics which have heretofore been exhibited in
all the ports Of the world. The rebellion and the
transfer Of many of our vessels to neutral
nags, suspension OF building and trans
from this depression must necessarily be
slow, and as shipowners were beginning TO antici
pate some Improvement In navigation interests, and
were hoping for partial relief, through Congress,
from some OF the burdens they In common with
others have borne an attempt Is made to procure
the passage OF a law by Congress imposing condi-
tions and restrictions which the past history of the
country shows to be unnecessary. The instincts OF
our people are very averse to dictation in business
matters, and shipowners and shipbuilders are
ceptlon TO the rule Congress leRslated some years
since In relation to passenger carrying vessels and
II the laws then made require amendment for the
more efecual protection OF life and health II should
be done In the regular manner, aud on the recon-
mendaon OF the officers appointed TO execute them;
but we protest against advantage being taken OF such
necessity TO engrait the law restrictions the
kind proposed in this bill.
To much OF the bill as provides for the eXamna-
tion and licensing OF masters, mates and engineers
your committee would say that the character OF
officers requires no apology from us. They will COM
pare favorably with those any nation for integrity
intelligence, nautical skill and seamanshp, and IL
would be very easy to show that losses and disasters
by sea have been no greater more frequent In our
merchant marine than In that of those nations most
favored by regulations similar to those sought to
be embodied In our laws. or the necessity OF these
regulations your committee have doubts; but we
would infinitely prefer the examination OF masters
and mates by an established government Board free
from the influences OF outside interests present
system created by underwriters The fees to De
levied under the provisions OF this bin on vessels and
officers are onerous and will amount to an enormous
sum- estimated by the trainers OF the bill at $400
annually, all taken from the hard earnings OF seamen
and from an interest that Is struggling to keep the
nag OF our country anoat ON the ocean.
Your committee therefore recommends the adop-
ton OF the Following resolutions
Whereas bill has been Congress entitled "a
bill In relation TO the mercantile marine United staes
which provides for the appointment OF marne boards to
whom are given various powers including supervision of
Sr meehah ,esr 2 e AL ss,is a be- be-
oars, and Of the provisions of this impose
dions and restrictions hitherto
the commerce OF our country and which sanctioned by
Congress would render interest
tous regulations from which other business pursuits
empt therefore be II
Resolved That this association respectfully
earnestly protest against the OF this bill being
called Tor ~ the interests directly concerned, imposing
conditions and restrictions hitherto unknown the nayiga
ton interest and providing nothing Of that
Interest," but increasing the burdens which
sbors and from which Il seeks relief and be further
Resolved That copy OF tho foregoing
luton, signed BY the officers ohe association forwarded
TO the Hon. r. b. Washburne, chairman Of the Committee
Commerce, and that he be requested his influence
prevent this bill from becoming a law.
All Of which 10 respectfully submitted.
GEORGE N. CLEARMAN,1
EDWARD HINCKEN,