The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-08-06
MAINE.
The International Commercial Convention.

| hafpast ten O'Clock this morning. Erastus
Brooks, OF New iS.rk was invited to address the
Convention. He complimented Portlaad, his native
city, and spoke OF the mor.ifying fact that ior
elgh steamers trade with New York and not ON
American He thought the repeal of the Reciprocity
treaty was the spirit of retaliation nudicious, and
ne would be glad to have another made. He wished
that vessels OF war the Lakes might be taken on
and commerce bind the two people together. True
reciprocity was really according to the golden rule
and If governed by that the West and East
would not be jealous OF New York. The
action of the federal government had stripped
New York Of ner steam commerce, but she Is not
jealous OF other sections Inland commerce is four
times as valuable as foreign commerce. and de-
manded protection as WELL No one doubts the
power Of Congress to build lighthouses on the coast,
yet men hesitate as to its power to improve the nav
CATION OF our mighty rivers. AS a New Yorker he
would gladly hail the day when railroads should he
competed from Halifax to the West.
Mr.. Pringle, OF Michigan. from the Committee on
Reciprocal Commercial Relations between the United
States and the Provinces, made report setting
forth the advantages OF reciprocity politically.
Neither side has reason to object; labor would be
mutually united. Ten years. trial had doubled the
commerce between the two countries, and since its
abatement 1t had shrunk to nearly the Old limits.
Taxation in the States can be so reduced and
limited that all differences can be- settled. AS to the
question OF grain and cattle the advantage of Gil
mate Is really in favor OF the States. The Canadian
objections that the United States wish annexation
futile no reasonable body Of men in the States
seek it, except it is desired by the Canadians them
selves
The committee presented resolutions, which were
adopted, calling the early attention Of Congress to
the subject OF free intercourse with the Dominion OF
Canada; that no time should be lost Congress Is
strongly urged to appoint special commission to
frame commercial alliance, or Zollverein.
Senator Corbett, from the Committee on Railroad
Across the Continent reported resolutions to the ef
feet that the Convention Is profoundly impressed
with the important changes about to take place in
the commercial relations OF mankind by the COM
pletiOn OF the great transContinenta railways; that
the interest created among oriental nations and the
desire expressed by them TO cultivate commercial
relations render our duty to complete these great
enterprises and meet them; that in the Judgment OF
this convention two great continental railways are
trail r0hte: that the Convention respectfully urge
upon Congress the patriotic duty Of rendering
adequate aid to insure the completion or these
two routes; that the route to Puget sound ahordlng
the shortest route to Asia, promises great advai-
tages to the entire country; that the projected rail-
way on the thirty fifth parallel OF latitude is OF no
less vital importance that the Convention recon-
mend the completion OF the line from Portland to
the West to connect with the Pacific and Atlantic
road as the shortest route, as well as connecting the
Lakes by the shortest way with the Atlantic
An invitation was received from the Committee OF
Arrangements for the members OF the Convention to
take sail dow the bay in the steamer John Brooks
this afternoon. 1t was accepted and the thanks Of
the Convention returned
the Convention on the evils of deprecated cur
rency.
Mr.. Cain Of Rutland urged the immediate action
OF the Convention upon the business in hand and
the Importance OF the evening session. Judge Rice,
Of Augusta, urged the importance OF hearing the
opinion OF the distinguished men present. and called
on Mr.. Blow, of Missouri who congratulated the
Convention upon the reports of the committees
made this morning. He wished the discussion OF
political questions might be left out. The COnven-
ton had met to discuss the transcontinental rail
ways. He discussed the great Importance OF the
Northern and Southern routes.
The report OF the committee was accepted, and
the resolutions adopted
Mr.. Taylor, from the Committee on Lake, River
and Canal Navigation, reported resolutions favOrng
cO-OperatOn OF the United States with those States
and Provinces interested in the enlargement OF the
existing canals channels and other improvements OF
the st. Lawrence will admit vessels OF thousand
tons from Lakes Michigan and Superior to the Gulf
OF st. Lawrence and the harbor OF New York. Also
that The great Western rivers not exclusively within
the limits OF a State have equal claims upon Con
greSs under the constitutional authority to regulate
commerce. Also that judicious system OF expen-
diture for these national objects should be extended
to the Pacific coast as well as to the Atlantic and
Northern coasts.
The report was accepted and the resolutions
Mr. John A. Poor moved a reconsideration OF the
vote adopting resolutions on reciprocity, which mo-
ton was laid on the table.
A recess was then taken until hali-past seven
O'Clock this evening
Evening Session.
The Convention assembled at eight O'Clock. Mr.
stephen Tobn. Mayor of Halifax, presided. He
alluded briefly to the future connection OF Halifax
and san san Francisco by continuous railroad aud
to the reciprocity treaty.
HENRY L. PRENTIss, Of Bangor, spoke in favor Of
the lumber interests against reciprocity.
Mr.. PRINGLE, Of Michigan, replied, arguing the in
innate relations existing in the interests Of the peo
pie OF the great Northern Valley who are
now separated by an arbitrary boundary. He
represented q state having four times the lumber
interests Of Maine. His people, for the general good
would be content with reciprocity. Tariffs to
protect labor, but there Is free trade in labor be-
tween the United States and Canada 80 that free
traders and protectionsts may unite I'm favor OF
reciprocity on this Continent. The old treaty was
annued at q time when currency was most inflated
and taxes highest and farmers and manufacturers
needed extra protection, but now that the emer-
gency was passed we had better renew II.
Mr.. DERBY, of Boston, spoke in favor OF reel
procity he predcating the speedy reduction of the
tariff
Mr.. BRECKKNRIDGR, OF Prince Edwards Island,
spoke in favor OF reciprocity.
Mr.. PRENTIss briefly and forcibly replied to the
three speakers He said the free use Of the st.
Lawrence was an argument before the treaty, but
during ten years never used 1t. 1t 10 worthless,
being too long and closed too much OF the year.
The question was put and the resolution was
adopted. Resolutions or thanks were adopted to the
officers for courtesy in presiding; to the Portland
Steam Packet Company and to the citizens Of Port
land for attentions to the visitors Three cheers
given for provincial visitors, which were hand
somely acknowledged by Mr.. Nash, OF Halifax.
Adjourned sine die.