The Portland daily press., 1869-10-25

The Decay of Shipbuilding.
Our readers were undoubtedly surprised at
some of the opinions expressed in the leading
article which appeared under the above can
ton in our Saturdays paper and must have
considered them somewhat at variance with
the former position of the PRESS upon this sinh
ject
The article was furnished by a gentleman
who frequently appears in our editorial col
umns, thereby adding greatly to their interest
Ind value; but in this instance we are con-
trained to say he does not represent the opin-
ion OF the PRESS upon the subject matter OF
which he treats
His views, which are presented in graceful
and attractive manner, are his own, and should
have appeared as a communication instead of
editorially.
The somewhat disorganized state of our edi
torial force, consequent upon the serious i'll
ness OF our associate editor, whereby an unusu-
al amount of work is thrown upon other mem.
bers, has rendered it impossible of late to give
that attention to articles prepared for the pa
per which IS our wont, and must be our apology
ior having gwen editorial sanction to senti-
ments which We do not endorse and which for
reasons hereinafter stated we consider erro-
neous,. and consequently prejudicial to the
shpbuilding and navigation interests Of our
State, as well as the general interests Of the
country Having said thus much, we will
present as briefly as possible our views on
the subject.
IL Is not necessary to enter into any argu-
ment to show that the shpbuilding and gen.
eral navigation interests of the country, which
at the breaking out of the rebellion were in a
most prosperous condition, have since fallen
into decline which, if not arrested, must soon
result in their total humiliation This fact is
painfully apparent to all, and the only ques-
ton is whether these great national industries
and interests, which by all other nations are
regarded as of first Importance, shall receive
that attention and protection at the hands of
our Government which their Importance de-
mands, or shall be neglected and left to go
down in an unequal competition with other
nations which pursue more wise and liberal
policy. e 4'- II'
The Boston Daily Advertiser in an able arti-
Gle on this subject, has the following para
graphs, which we fully endorse:
TIE large portion of our people Interested in
american commerce have reason to be encour-
slonal inquiry has taken For the first Time
since the current set strongly against this
branch or American enterprise it seems to be
reasonably certain that some measures OF legis-
!aton VIII be devised to restore in measure
its old empire of the sea. Both here and in
New York the Ole and too familiar story was
told OF the disastrous change which has come
over our merchant marine; Of shipping once
competing with that OF the frst commercial
nation, now swept nearly out of existence: of
ship-yards once the scene of prosperous indus
try, now almost abandoned; of branch of in.
dustry tor which our length of coast. our un-
equaled harbors and varied resources afford
the pest facilities, now laDgushinS at every
c""s and a""htfnI whether it be Considered
korth reyiving at all.
as 10. unreasonable that shipbuilders
sh ,uld ask Tor the return Of an equivalent for
the amount they are now required to nav ia
duties and internal revenue taxes. In this
way the carrying trade of other great nations
has been bnilt no and sustained. In the esti-
nation Of the most enlightened statesmen the ad
gdntdges Of large and prosperous commerce
hare come to be considered as liberal return for
his concession. This seems to be, indeed. the
only practicable way IN which relief can be
Immediately given; it has the support of in
Vulnerable approved presidents; it is quite in
harmony with the national policy of securing
American industries against the cost OF an un-
equal ana injurious competition; and we trust
will commend itself to the Judgment of the
committee, and the approval of Congress
Wnen the subject is brought before it,
just what measures may be found necessary
for the revival OF our shipbuildiue and navioa.
ton interests may become more clearly appar-
ent after The whole subject has been examined
and reported upon by the committee charged
with its investigation; but the unanimous tes-
tmony of all who have appeared before the
committee, so far as We have seen it reported,
is that our shipbuilders cannot compete with
those OF foreign countries whose material is
entirely exempt from duty, without being
placed on the same footing by an exemption
from duty Of the material used in the construc.
ton of the American ship. Only one who ap-
peared beio;e the committee in Portland is re-
ported as having assigned the arrangement of
our currency as one of the causes of the de.
cline Of shipbnilding. The question being one
OF comparative, and not actual cost, we are at
a loss to see how it is affected by the currency:
Tor, in order to institute any comparison be-
tween the cost of American aud foreign ships.
we must estimate it ia the same currency II
tne cost OF the American is twenty to thirty
per cent more than thai Of the foreign ship.
both estimated in gold, the difference must be
In the cost of labor, or material, or both. The
statements of nearly all agree, that while labor
Is higher with us than in England the differ
ence is overcome by the greater efficiency of
the American mechanic; that while we paw
higher rates of wages, we in fact pay no more
for the amount of labor performed. Such be- |
ing the case the whole difference is in the cost
OF material, which to the English builder is |
free, and to .he American builder is burdeped
Win q TAX Oh isom twenty to thirty per cent |
1t must be appareft to every one that this diff |
ference twenty
Independent of the cl-rencv. and Womb.
the tbe present duty on naterials nrevent
were resumgg,. of ships if spe,ie navments
building is not 50 SORROW q But it aid .ship
building, and as houses depressed as house
tnan ships, why should ship bI. ore psces'ary |
De exempt from duty and house bass., "a'eria
.erlai De ta1e1? The answer is, that il B., n'a-
oui'oihg Is depressed it is not because of tha
Increased cost resulting from the tariff. but be.
cause more houses have already been built than
are needed. The American house builder doe.
no' come into competition with the fore;on
mouse builder fto foreigner can build hon.
~" "ateriai exempt from all taxation ond
Nu's, "nu place 1t down on American soil and
~ l" competition with the American bu;,d-
CT OF owner. If he could the American h,,;,,
ef "onid go to the WALL" and that br.nol
INDUSTRY be transferred to foreigners In 49,
case 1t would be worth considering wbe,h.
could afford to dispense entirely with tb;. c,.s.
Vi mechanics and depend upon foreioner. =.
"netner Justice and sound policy won,d 70.
CURE US to place our own mechanics on tho
same footing with foreigners with whom thau
come into competition, and thus keen in 81.
tence a class of mechanics so neces,arv 80 a..
welfare of the nation. Ia '''
mat competition which from the natu.
the case 1t is impossible to subject the Amer;-
can house builder to, is just the comne,;tio,.
which is destroying our ship builders and shin
owners. The English house builder cannot
pace his house down in our city and rent IL in
competition with the American bouse bpilder.
but the English ship builder can and does bnild
us vessei OF free material and place her in our
naroors alongside of the American shin for
ien.' or freight, with equal privileges and nd.
vantages. se' anu NJ
mnen our city was partially DESTROYED BIZ an .
aooueu'ai confagratiop, the Government did
exempt all building material from drtr % "a
- restoring that which had been DESTROYED.
1"oa "'A' was temporarily lost to the revenne
.nAh repaid in the increase of bus;. c
ness resulting from the measure To o.' ,
s1ruction OF our city had been capsed h,0
INVASION OF an enemy. and at the close ~ Tho
war we had employed that enemy to rehni,a !.