The Portland daily press., 1868-08-06

| terest requires protection as well as any other.
| MI r. then discussed the protective system.
| aoVocatlng the principles enuncia'ed by the
father OF the American system-Hon. Henry
Clay aid contrasted the prices paid for labor
in TINS country with the lower prices paid for
| it in Italy.
MI r thought we should not make excep-
lions WIN certain nations, as it might lead us
into dimcuity. LII We grant special favors to
our nelghoors, we ought to extend them to
them further on He alluded to the untriend-
ly part that England, France and Austria
took when we were at war; while Russia was
the only nation that sympathized with us. If
we depart from our policy, Russia certainly is
the nation that should be supported nv free
trade.
Mr. Prentiss spoke at some length in oppo-
sition to a reciprocity treaty.
Mr.. Pringle, of Michigan, followed Mr.. Prem
tiss, and took the other side Of the question,
and ably advocated free trade with the Cana
das, He said the people living on the South
side of the st. Lawrence and those living on
the North side of the st. Lawrence were not
only neighbors, but their interests were the
same, and would continue so for all time.
What free trade had done to build up the
United States in past years it would now do to
every part of the Union. He did not call his
own State (Michigan) lumber State, yet it
manufactured, yearly, three, four or five times
IS mucn lumber as is now manufactured in
Maine. And yet the lumber merchants of that
State, with the exception of some few spscu-
lators, were for free trade in lumber with
Canada, He went into an examination of the
lumber interests and commended that this
lumber trade should not, generation after gen.
GRAFTON, be held by monopolizers to the injury
of the great body of the people. This monop-
oily was one in which the great body Of Amer
lean citizens did not sympathi.e The great
body of the people demand reciprocity in the
lumber trade, and they will have it.
E. 81. Derby, Esq, Of Boston, was the next
speaker. He thought the gentleman from
Maine had been triumphantly answered by the
gentleman from Michigan. He spoke in favor
of a reduction Of taxes, and advocated reci-
procity. He went into an estimate of the
penses VI tho Government during the war and
the great reduction that had had been made in
them mainly through the influence of Mr.
Blame one of the Representatives in Congress
from this State, through whose efforts . reduc
duction of $289,OO0,OOO had been made. A
heavy tariff was required during the war for
revenue purposes. But it was not required
now, and the tax on whiskey and tobacco would
obviate the necessity of tax upon lumber.
That tax upon tobacco and whiskey, he con-
tended, would pay off the national debt with
III -
contended that there should be no tar upon
lumber. 1t was an article which entered into
every thing, from the poor mans shauty to
the costEest church edifce. God made the
forests free, and their productions should
be free throughout the world.
Mr.. Derby said that the manufacturers of
lumber had escaped the tax levied upon manu-
features. Here little controversy arose be-
tween the gentleman and Mr.. Prentiss, the
latter contending that the manufacturers Of
lumber did pay tax. Mr.. Derby said it was
only an income tax. Tho manufacturer of
lumber was not taxed as were other msnutao-
turers. Ha t....ae. FL
Mr.. D. then went into the argument about
the pay of laborers, contending that in Canada
the pay of the laborer was nearly as great as
that paid in the States.
Mr.. Poor said that the reciprocity question
had been presented by gentlemen from the
States. There were several gentlemen present
from the Provinces who we're well posted on
this question, who desired to be heard. He
would therefore move when the Convention
adjourn it be to meet on Thursday morning at
10 o'clock. E
mr. NJ hu 4 30 mo ami 70
who contended it was understood that the
Convention would adjourn sine die this eve
ming.
A motion to lay Mr. Poor's resolution on the
table was carried.
A motion was then made to adopt the reci-
procity resolution, when Mr.. Breckenridge,
OF Prince Edward Island, took the floor, advo.
eating reciprocity treaty.
Mr.. Prentiss Of Bangor replied to some Of
the points made by Mr.. Darby and Mr.. Prin-
gle of Michigan. .- ar4
The question was then taken upon adopting
the reciprocity resolution, and it was adopted
by a unanimous vote. no, ,.-.,........, ..a...
On motion of Mr.. Poor, it was voted that all
members who have any facts to communicate
III relation to the subjects discussed by the
Secretary, and that he be authorized to pub
lish the Proceedings of the no.~on.;.- ~-a
such facts, in compact form.
On motion of Hon. Erastus Brooks, of New
York, the thanks of the Convention were ten
dered to the citizens of Portland tor their kind
ness exhibited to the members.
On motion of Mr.. H. E. Hill, of Boston, the
thanks Of the Convention were presented to
Hon. Mr.. TObin for the ability with which he
has presided this evening. r.t., .. ,.t
Mr.. Eobin responded to the vote in q very
happy manner. no.
A letter from Hon. Charles Francis Adams,
favoring the objects of the Convention, was
read by the Secretary .-s.x----.-
On motion Of John A. Poor, Esq, prefaced
by few pertinent remarks, three rousing
cheers were given to the delegates from the
Provinces who had attended the Convention.
Alderman Nash, of Halifax, responded in
happy manner to the testimonial a-lI W..
The Convention then adjourned, at 10 AS P.
NJ e;,oo