The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-03-10
The shipping Esssres.a Of Masns-ssest.

Hne sh'rP'ns kHseres,a Of Ma;ns-Mesf.
AZ. OF Nh'rSuiiders aad SbsuowssyA
ia Hasgar
Inc Shipbuilders' and Shipowners' Associa-
tlon OF Maine held an enthusiastic meeting in
Bangor Monday afternoon, to consider the
ways and means by which the shipbulding
interest Of Maine could be elevated from its
present PROSTATE condition, and to express
desire that the bill recently reported by Hon
John Lynch may become law. The attend
ance was highly respectable both in point of
numbers and character. Most of the leading
builders and owners Of vessels on the Penob-
scot, together with the importers, merchants
aud mechanics were present. Much earnest
ness was exhibited, and general feeling of
dissatisfaction and alarm manifested over the
condition of this branch of our industry. The
meeting was presided over by Hon. Samuel
Fl, Dale. with Geo. W. Ladd and j. L: Crosby
as Vice Presidents and DR.. c. A. Jordan, l..
J. Stewart and J. F. Snow, Secretaries.
TIE President briefly stated the object of
the meeting, showing the disabilities Under
which the shipping interest was laboring, and
earnestly advocated the total abolition Of the
duty upon iron, salt, coal and copper.
Geo. w. Laid, ESQ.,, merchant, took COM
prehenslye view OF The whole question. and
maze an impressive speech. The time was
when Maine built half of the vessels of the
country; now her shipyards were nearly de-
serted; an onerous tariff had destroyed this
branch OF industry. He advocated Tree trade
IN all the materials required in the construc-
ton OF ships and the substitution of steam Tor
sailing vessels. His motto was free trade and
sailors rights.
Benjomn Crosby, Esq., shipbuilder, adyo-
Gated the utility OF wooden vessels, e. pecia.ly
Tor coasting purpose. Names interest was
IN wooden sailing vessels, especially for coast
ing purposes. Names interest was in wood
en- sailing vessels, and not steamers-an in
terest which Mr.. Lynch's bill was calculated
to iDjure.
John Crosby, Esq, merchant, did not like
all The provisions OF the Lynch bill; it dis
eliminates against wooden vessels, the only
kind which we are building.
Hon. A. d. Manson said that Maine was
robbed by few ironmongers in Pennsylva-
mia, who, with all their assurances, did not
produce one-twentieth part of the iron used.
He was in fevor OF the bill as an initial step,
but desired further progress toward free
trade.
T. -. Stewart favored the bill as a long
stride in the right direction. He would ac-
accept it as the best that could be obtained at
present.
The following resolutions were read by
Hon. John B. Foster, and passed without dis
sent, when the meeting adjourned:
Resolyed, That we look with the deepest in
terest to the action OF the Congress tor the re-
moval of the burdens under which the shin
builders and shipowners of the country are
now suffering, so that our former commercial
prosperity may be regained; and this can only
be looked for by the adoption of shat liberal
spirit and generous support which the great
commercial nations of the world have offered
to their own ships.
ResotUed, That we heartily endorse the rec.
concentrations OF the committee appointed by
the last Congress to make investigation for the
cause of the decadence of our commerce. and
trust that the bill reported by that committee
may receive the early and favorable considera.
ton of Congress.
Resotved, That copy of the proceedings of
this meeting be furnished the Senators and
Representatives IN Congress from this State,
with The earnest request that no effort on their
part Will he spared 10 obtain the relief SO nee
essary and SO ardenty desired.