The Republican journal., 1870-06-16
WHAT AN Ex-SHIPMASTER THINKS.
STOCKTON. June II. 1870.

STOCKTON, June H. 1870.
DEAR JOURNAL; | notice in your columns the
| evidence given by Brunswick shipmasters regard
ing their present occupation. Being called as wit
nesses, they were compelled to say, one that he
''was Il gentleman loaer," another that he ''fed
chickens and tended babies," sc. We here in
Stockton not better off than our Brunswick
brethren. Some OF us are pulling rockweed, some
selling fish in the streets. One has moved west,
turned doctor, and Is etfecting wonderful cures in all
the ills that flesh Is her to, from prolapsllS ueri to
corns and bunionS. Some are trying to run porgie
presses, and many are gentlemen loafers. Such is
the condition of our shpmasters, myself among the
number Like otheIlo, my occupation is gone,"
and am casting about to how | can support
myself and family.
| For years we have faced storms, and been de-
prived of the society of our families and friends.
AS a class we have done much to enrich the coun-
try for have been in pursuit of wealth to bring
into it. All through the late we labored under
the disadvantage of heavy way insurance our
! property, beset by pirates at sea, taxed heavily
both at home and abroad and our country afford
ing not the least protection. Yet toiled on,
hoping for relief. Now that st he cruel war is over"
what relief have wefonnd Why poverty, starva-
ton, and heavy taxes that sweep away what little
we have saved. In addition our hands are so tied
| by taxes and prohibitions that we can earn no
more. Many of us are on the shady side of life,
where the learning of new trades professions is
impossible. We are totally unfit for the sharp
practices of trade and traffic A II Of the sailors
who have tried it, with few exceptions, have
| failed
| We have all looked to Mr.. Lynchs bill for some
relief and employment, by revival of com
mcrce but that has been sent to the tomb of all the
Capulets. We have now but little hope from so
selfish vile and thoroughly corrupt government.
where British gold can purchase the votes of our
| lawmakers and consign us to idenesS and poverty
We have been asked to vote for protection, and
Maine has lent her aid to the protection Of Penn
sylvania, and vet to-day that State refuses to give
us protection of any kind.
We have been led, like asses, to vote for our own
destruction. Many an honest sailor has been fired
with enthusiasm at the cry of rebellion and treason
to taking what he supposed to be his country's
side-but alas it was for the country's ruin. By
ignorance of political intrigue, he has been stabbing
the country when he supposed he was protecting
It-helping to enrich the rich, and making the poor
poorer But we are now opening our eyes to see
the hideousness of these corrupt and vile partizans
Like the maiden in the Midsummer Nights Dream,
we wonder how we could have been in love with
an ass.
Our townsman, Hon. N. G. Hichborn, has
labored hard at Washington to carry this bill
through, for which we thank him. But he was
largely instrumental, with others, in bringing
about this same state of things. And his vision,
too, is clearer, think, than formerly.
And now, my dear Journal, can you suggest to
I,c
selvest We could pick oakum, but there are no
ships to caulk, and consequently no oakum wanted.
A FORMER SHIPMASTER