The Republican journal., 1870-03-10
SHIPBUILDER'S MEETING.

tircly inadequate to the occasion. large number
of shil'-builtlers owners, and shp-mastcrs assem-
bcd. representing the interest i'll Belfast Stockton.
SearSport, Camden, and other localities.
The meeting was called to order by Hon. ~ G..
Hchborn, who nominated Hon. II. II. johnson for
temporary Chairman. Daniel Lane, Jr was made
temporary Secretary.
On motion of Capt Henry McGilycry. the fol
lowing Committee on permanent organization was
named by the Chair: viz Capt. Henry McGiI-
very. Of Belfast, Capt. - Ilichborn. Of Stock
ton, Lewis Bean. of Belfast.
This Committee reported the following list of Of
fieerS: President Hon. James P. White; Vice
Presidents G. T. Carter, Esq, of Belfast; Capt. J.
{. NickelS, Searsport; Capt. H. $. Staples, stock
ton; James Cunning, Esq. Bangor }. +. DALEY,
ESD Camdel o. W. French, Esq, Lincolnvillc
Franklin Treat. Esq. Frankfort: W. r CHM, Esq.
Buck port.
On motion Of Hon. n. &. Hichborn. Commit
tee on Resolutions was raised which the Chair
named follows; Hon. n. &. Hichborn. Capt.
Henry McGilvery and Or. John g. Brooks.
This Committee subsequently reported preaIn-
bic and resolutions, declaring that the present de-
pressed condition of American commerce. involv-
ing immeasurable loss to the industry of Maine.
mittee appointed TO investigate the subject by the
last Congress and the bills accompanying the same
declaring that no maritime nation has ever contin-
ued wealthy or powerful which had neglected ITS
navigation interests; that the United States exceed
MI other COUNT les for commercial resources and
only lacks friendly legislation: that exposed as we
are to water approaches on every side. not
for a moment safe without Ship-yards skilled me-
Ian.
which to man navy in time of war. That Maine
rs the leading ship-builder and hence the greatest
sufferer by the commercial disasters of the rebel
ion is still loyal to the Union and the flag, and on
" asks as friendly legislation as that enjoyed by the
citizens of other commercial nations, TO restore her
own waste places and to assist the nation in regain
ing ruined commerce, securing thereby, in peace,
this great source of wealth and civilization and in
war 4 reliance for national defence: that the Hon.
John Lynch, and other members of the Congress
Siona Committee have the sincere thanks Of the
meeting for their able report, and that earnestly
ask Congress to grant the relief sought and clear
II demanded.
/ The resolutions were adopted.
Hon. MIG. Hchborn, in responae TO a call. then
addressed the meeting. He said that the CONNER
cial interest is a vital one to this country The
founders of the government and the trainers of the
Constitution comprcheadcd this, and saw that it
must he Il commercial country. So much progress
had been made in this plan. even as early as the
war Of 1872 that we We're prepared to make fight
upon the sea, and it aSccrtained that the COM
mercial marine was the nursery Of seamen for the
navy. The frigate Constitution, in her career OF
glory, as well as otter ships, were manned by
American merchant silors and fishermen. So cou-
~.
that in comparatively few years we rl allied Eng
land. the great maratme power Of the world, and
| exceeded it in 1860. Golden. and other English
statesmen saw and acknowledged the loss of Eng
lands prestige. The late war was her opportunity
to destroy our tonnage, and she embraced it. We
lost one half of our shipping.
The State Of Maine is greatly interested in this
question. Its rivers, harbors climate and popua-
ton, all favor this important industry. The ac-
cumulated wealth within its borders has very large
ly come from the profits Of commerce. Fifty of the
seaboar,l cities and towns pay one half of the State
tax. They became rich because commerce
free and untranneetl. And if these letters are
to lie continued the State debt of eight millions is
to be heavy mortgage on AL the property of the
state.
Besides this there is A question Of national safety
which enters into the argument in favor of foster
inc our shipping. If we have 4 war it will be With
a commercial people, either England or France.
We are to these countries by the ocean, and
near ncighbors tC the British Provinces. Maine by
her harbor and rivers invites attack as we'll as by
the booty to be gained. The Alabama claim, are
unsettled and the great wrong of England still IN
aoned. What shall demand and what will fol-
low cannot be seen in advance. But when We
have ships, no yards. and no maritime means
will be her hour, She neglects nothing, and is al
ways ready, with large navy, and vast array of
merchant steamers fit for the navy. Our naval
men understand this.
Can we reach this thing, and right the wrongs
we are suffering: While Maine was lighting on
the Land, her property on the sea was destroyed.
Peace found one half Of her ships gone. A move
mcnt WAS made to ask relief and rest Grafton. II
was laughed at. Other interests, the mining man
utacturng and western agricultural interests, We're
eager and pressing at Washington, and were indef-
fercnt to u.s. Even the WhiSkev interest was
stronger there than we Were.
As a last resort, when it was found we could ret
no hearing before the regular committees. a spec
ia committee shipping asked for. Mt
Lynch specially pressed it. IT granted, and
sat in the recess. Testimony was taken from prac-
teal men in Boston, Portland, New York and
other places They considered the matter with great
care. The result is that they came to the c0ncu-
sion that our commercial marine is valuable in
peace and must be kept up lo Il means of defence
in war. The next question that presented itself
was what shall be The means of relief: Ii was
found that other nations had acted upon the idea
that thriving commerce could not I've d birdened
commerce. The sea is II great highway on which
all nations compete, and from which those who
compete at Il disadvantage must retire If we have
high taxes on ships we must have high freghtS to
make them pay, and high reights discriminate
against lis and in favor of unburdencd shipping.
/ The result of the committee, deliberations was
that they agreed to make certain recommendation
They are as follows
First, The remission Of the duties imposed upon
the raw material entering into the construction of
vessels and steamers limiting the to the
minimum of duties per ton collected on the materi-
al required for certain classes of vessels and when
| American iron is used in the construction OF iron
vessels, an amount per ton equivalent to the ,utes
on like amount of imported raw materials limit
ing the amount to be paid.
Second. That all stores to be used bv vessels
sailing to foreign ports, may be taken in bond free
of duty.
Third, Further TO encourage investment in shin
ping, and to extend aid to ships already built and
b,nI, Soila