The Portland daily press., 1868-01-16

proposition for dra wbacks equal to the duties
paid on cordage, iron, copper, chains and an
chors," and in discussion which took place
on his proposition he explained at considerable
length the oppressive burdens which rested on
this great interest, and gave the statistics in
detail of duties which must actually he paid
ON ship built in Maine in that year. This
measure however was defeated, and in the fol-
lowing year was again introduced i'll the Sem
ate by Mr.. Fessenden as part Of the tariff
bill, but again failed by the defeat of that bill.
Mr.. Fessenden was warmly supported in the
advocacy of this measure by his colleague,
Senator Morrill,, and again, on the I'd OF March,
1867, Mr.. Morrill, made strong and eloquent
speech in the Senate in favor Of the shipbuild-
ing interest of Maine.
At the present session the same proposition,
in somewhat modified form, has been offered
by Mr. Lynch, and is no under consideration
by the Committee on Ways and Means. Last
year Mr.. Pike proposed to relieve tonnage al
ready afoat by abolishing tonnage dues and so
far as might be consistent with existing treaties
to give deferential duty on goods imported
in foreign bottoms. That proposition also
session by Mr.. Perham and will be called up
for consideration at an early day. On Monday
last Mr.. Pike offered resolution repeating
the statute which compels coasting vessels to
have manifests of cargoes, and-it also provides
that boats under twenty tons burden shall not
be enrolled and pay heavy fees for measuring
1t was at the instance of Mr.. Pike also that the
21-2 per cent. tax on the gross earnings of ves-
sells was removed by the 39th Congress, and
burdens that weighed upon it. s.. 6lne
Mr.. Blaine agitated for two sessions and f.
nally procured the repeal of the two per cent.
tax on the hulls of vessels which weighed so
oppressively on the shipping interest. This he
accomplished two years since in ad Jance of a
general revision of the Internal Revenue Laws,
which fact rendered it the more difficult. Mr..
Blaine's debate on his question with Sunset
Cox, of Ohio, in 1864, was extensively publish
ed at the time and will undoubtedly be remem-
bered by many of your readers. Mr.. Blaine
has been constant and unremitting in aiding
all the measures moved by his colleagues, and
the Shipbuilders' Committees that have visited
here will bear evidence to his readiness and
efficiency on this question.
One of the first measures, if not the very
first adopted by the 39th Congress, was bill
introduced by Mr.. Lynch to prevent those yes
sells which during the rebellion had adopted a
foreign flag, from being again registered by
this government-thus withdrawing their COM
good faith with the government during its
struggles. The failure of many of these propo-
sitions is due to the fact that they pertain to
the tariff and can only be reached by general
tariff BILL Such bill has not been before
Congress for over two years, and the western
members refuse to treat these matters sepa-
rately, fearing, doubtless, that the indomitable
Yankee will be attempting to "steal march"
on the rest of the country. IF in view of these
facts there remains any occasion for censure,
direct or implied then the Shipbuilding Asso-
citation must be memorable indeed. s
1t is true that there is no member of the
Maine delegation whose vocation is shipbuild-
ing, but the interest of that branch of business
has been none the less closely cared for ON that
account, and it has received all the attention
that it was possible for vigilent, high minded
and patriotic men to bestow upon it under the
circumstances.
ssqsgolB a ROW IN COURT. b. 4l16el ssL
On Friday last as Judge Olin of the District
Supreme Court was passing sentence ona VEN
cradle villain by the name of McCauley, the
prisoner made a thrust with a knife at o boy
who had, been the principal witness against
him, for the purpose, as he declared, of killing
him, and but for the prompt Intervention of
the officers his attempt would have proved
successful. He was seized by the officers of
the Court. heavily ironed and conveyed to Jail
and on Saturday the grand jury found bill
against him charging him with assault with
intent to KILL" Judge DIN proposes to make
an example of his malciousness, and he will
probably spend the remainder of his life in the
penitentiary. ' 50 asE ga
3 STRANGE porNes AT THE CAPITOL.
Last Thursday member of the Capital Po-
lice, who was stationed near the House portieo,
was approached by a finely dressed lady who
that she was feeling exceedingly
III and desired him to procure her chair. He
complied with her request, but on returning
he discovered that during his absence the lady
had given birth to a dead infant and departed
The affair created no little excitement and was
wrapped IN mystery until yesterday, when 1t
was ascertained that the lady had, ON leaving
the Capital, entered a horse car, but feeling
deathly sick had called for a carriage and been
to the house of a friend where she
died before night. s5 $3.50
PERSONAL. s-r
General Pope is in town to-day on business
with the President. General Tillson, of Maine, 1
was here on Saturday. Some year and half
ago he purchased a plantation in Georgia, but
the crops this year have proved a failure, and
he has sold out at considerable loss, and re-
turned North very much broken down in
health. CASCO.
Letter from Yarmouth.
YARMOUTH, Jan. Is, 1868.
10 the Editor Of The Press:
Those who have been accustomed to visiting
Yarmouth before the war could count six, eight
en- or perhaps more vessels of different sizes
n process of construction. In passing through
-e different ship-yards to-day, could scarce
y find piece OF timber large enough for the
;eel of yawl boat Arrangements are being
made, however, to build brig and ship the
oming season. shall in future letter speak
# the various industrial pursuits, and in this,
My of the
FIRST PARISH CHURCH.
For several years the First Parish had been
%. AZ dr.