The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1869-04-29
The New Reform League. A Trap for
GullS,


Last week we published brief telegram
to the effect that Reform League was
about to be instituted in the city Of Boston,
having for its object the etfecting of certain
changes for the better in our governmental
affairs. The public has since been present
ed with a report of the proceedings in the
daily papers, by which an opinion Of the
design and scope of the League, in its pur-
poses, may be judged.
Lacking familiarity with the local poll
tics Of Boston, we are unable to fix the po
lltical status OF all the gentlemen taking
part in this movement, but 80 far as their
names are given to the public, they are
mainly radicals. But report says they are
Of al shades Of political opinion. The OBJ
ect set forth in the call for the organization
meeting are these-1st, to secure a moder-
ate and effective tariff which may be col
lected with the least cost and interference
with the industrial pursuits of the country !;
I'd, to oppose all special legislation intend
ed to foster private or class interest; 3D.,
to secure some annual payment Of the prin-
cipal Of the national debt, and the removal
| of some of the more ouorous taxes; 4th,
to promote treaties Of reciprocity with all
the North American States; 5th to pro-
mote reform in the civil service. and the
appointment of Government officers on the
sole ground of fitness and ability; 9th, to
secure the return to specie standard Of
value as soon as possible.
Most excellent purposes, aud those that
will receive universal endorsement among
the American people, except perhaps that
our good friends at Bangor might demur
at the unrestricted admission Of colonial
lumber in competition with theirs. But in
great general good to be attained, partic-
ular interests are liable to be overlooked.
The speeches made upon the occasion
were all in substantiation of the need of re-
form in the particulars set forth. The OPP
preston Of the tariff, of the national debt,
of unequal taxation, of the need Of gov
ernmental reform, were all elequently set
forth, and the deplorable state of the coun-
try painted in lively colors. The oppress-
ions were all in turn attacked and de-
nounced AS specimen of the statistics
and arguments presented we copy con-
densed report Of the remarks of Mr.. Nash,
and it will have all the more force locally
because it shows how the leading industry
Of the coast of Maine is faring.
ADDRESS OF MIR NASH.
Mr. Nathaniel G. Nash, the next speaker in
the course Of his remarks, stated the enrolled
and registered tonnage of the United States to
have been $3.50, 1913 tons in 1861 1896, 40 tons
in 1864, and 3,491, 754 tons in 1867. The falling
off during the war, and from the depredations
of the Alabama, equalled 553,412 tons or 1874 =
40 tons annually. The falling off during tie
three years following the close of the wal
| (making proper reduction for the new method
Of measurement), equalled 1904 ,647 tons, or
sol, $40 tons annually. The tariff which was in
full operation for the latter period was the
cause of decline three times greater than was
suffered in the war. The tonnage of the United
States in 1852 was 4,l3s,4O tons; in 1861
8 $50 1913 tons. The ratio of increase in the de
cade was IS per cent. At a similar rate of in
crease we should have had tonnage in 1867
of 6,7O3,173 tons-an amount twice greater
than we now possess. The tonnage of Great
Britain and it's dependencies in 1861 equaled
1886, 1863 tons. In 1867 it amounted to 1907, :
851 tons-a rate Of increase exceeding that Of
our own in the period of our greatest prospect
ty. Our revenue laws have operated as bill
of sale of no small portion of our tonnage to
IGreat Britain, with the almost exclusive priv.
lege Of building for the future.
Assuming the value Of our shipping to be
equal to $50 per ton, Mr.. Nash showed that
the decline in value of our tonnage from 1861
to 1867 equalled 1928, 4S3, 354-a sum exceeding
twice the amount of all the capital invested In
the manufacture of iron In the United States
Land to which our ocaan commnrno hoe haor